Design Lead

D C S Manufacturing; Banbury; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health and beauty manufacturer in Banbury is seeking a Design Lead to drive creative projects and develop impactful brand identities. The ideal candidate will have expert skills in Adobe Creative Cloud and a strong understanding of design principles. This role involves leading product design processes, creating engaging digital content, and maintaining high-quality corporate branding across various platforms.

Qualifications

• Expert-level skills in Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Strong grasp of design principles and typography.
• Experience creating impactful brand identities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the creative design process for new product development.
• Maintain corporate branding and produce marketing literature.
• Create engaging website graphics for brand consistency.
• Design social media content and campaign visuals.
• Oversee large-format projects and visual communications.
• Collaborate with stakeholders for production and delivery.

Skills

Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat)

Design principles

Typography

Layout

Conceptual thinking

Print production knowledge

Digital design capability

Photography and visual storytelling

Organisational skills

Collaborative mindset

Job description

About DCS Group

DCS Group is the UK’s leading distributor, manufacturer, and exporter of health, beauty, and household brands. We are proud to be the exclusive UK partner for global names such as Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Kenvue, PZ Cussons, and SC Johnson, alongside our own Enliven brand.

Our business is growing fast, with exciting developments in food distribution bringing brands like Whitworths and Danone into our portfolio.

With over 30 years of continuous growth, we remain a family‑owned business that values people, passion, and performance. We operate from two fantastic sites: a 26‑acre head office and warehouse in Banbury, and a state‑of‑the‑art 100,000 sq. ft manufacturing facility in Redditch.

Joining DCS means being part of a dynamic, supportive team, working with some of the world’s biggest FMCG brands and helping us build the next big ones too.

Location

Banbury

About the Role

Are you a visionary designer who loves building brands, shaping packaging that stands out on shelves, and leading creative projects from concept to launch? We’re looking for a Design Lead to join our team and take charge of design across our DCS brand portfolio, corporate identity, and digital platforms.

As the creative heartbeat of our business, you’ll bring bold ideas to life, from developing striking packaging and brand identities with some of the world’s leading brands to crafting engaging digital content and high‑impact campaigns. This is a fantastic opportunity to drive creative direction and make your mark on brands seen by millions of consumers.

Responsibilities

• Lead the creative design process for new product development (NPD), from concept through to final packaging and print‑ready artwork.
• Evolve and maintain our corporate branding, producing high‑quality marketing literature, brand guidelines, and visual assets.
• Create and manage engaging website graphics, ensuring brand consistency and an exceptional user experience.
• Design social media content and campaign visuals that stand out and build brand awareness.
• Oversee large‑format projects such as wall graphics, event materials, and other visual communications.
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to ensure flawless production and delivery.

What we’re looking for in a Design Lead

We’re searching for a creative leader with a strong blend of design expertise, commercial awareness, and hands‑on technical skills. You should have:

• Expert‑level skills in Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat – After Effects a bonus).
• A strong grasp of design principles, typography, layout, and conceptual thinking, with the ability to deliver impactful creative work under pressure.
• Experience creating brand identities and packaging that connect with consumers and communicate a brand’s story effectively.
• Technical knowledge of print production, including digital, lithographic, flexographic, and screen processes, plus colour systems (CMYK, RGB, Pantone).
• Confidence preparing print‑ready artwork and managing the production process with external partners.
• Digital design capability — from website graphics and population to social media content creation.
• A creative eye for photography and visual storytelling, including composition and product photography.
• Strong organisational skills and meticulous attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• A proactive, collaborative mindset — comfortable leading creative projects, influencing stakeholders, and driving innovation.