Lead Graphic Designer - NZ

Asahi Beverages Group; New Zealand; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12-month contract

Job summary

Asahi Beverages Group in New Zealand is seeking a Lead Graphic Designer to head our in-house design team while delivering hands-on creative projects in a fast-paced FMCG setting.

You will lead end-to-end project delivery, drive continuous improvement, and collaborate with Innovation, Shopper Marketing, Brand and Supply Chain to ensure on-time, high-quality outcomes across packaging and marketing materials.

Qualifications

• Experience in graphic design across agency, in-house, or freelance.
• Ability to interpret client briefs and deliver accordingly.
• Experience in FMCG is highly regarded.
• Experience designing for print production and manufacturing environments.
• Strong understanding of packaging artwork and production requirements.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator.
• Knowledge of After Effects or motion graphics is desirable.
• Excellent project management and stakeholder communication skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop the Graphic Design team, managing workflow and engagement.
• Oversee delivery of design projects across packaging, POS materials, and marketing collateral.
• Support creative development for new product concepts and campaigns.
• Drive process improvements to enhance team efficiency and output.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to meet brand, commercial and manufacturing needs.
• Manage multiple projects with timelines and quality standards.

Skills

Creative leadership

Project management

Adobe Creative Suite

Print production

Packaging design

Stakeholder management

Team coaching

Tools

Photoshop

InDesign

Illustrator

After Effects

Job description

Exciting opportunity for a design professional who thrives in a busy and dynamic FMCG environment and enjoys balancing people leadership, project management, and creative execution.

We're seeking an experienced Lead Graphic Designer to lead our in-house Graphic Design team while remaining hands-on in delivering impactful creative projects. This is an exciting opportunity for a design professional who thrives in a busy and dynamic FMCG environment and enjoys balancing people leadership, project management, and creative execution.

You will lead the end-to-end delivery of graphic design projects while leading team workflow, capability development and continuous improvement initiatives. You will work closely with stakeholders across Innovation, Shopper Marketing, Brand and Supply Chain to ensure projects are delivered on time and to the highest standard.

12-month contract role

Key responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop the Graphic Design team, managing workflow, prioritisation and team engagement.
• Oversee the delivery of graphic design projects across packaging, point-of-sale materials, trade presentations and marketing collateral.
• Support creative development for new product concepts, innovation projects and advertising campaigns.
• Drive process improvements to enhance team efficiency and creative output.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure design solutions meet brand, commercial and manufacturing requirements.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timelines and quality standards are achieved.

About you

You’ll be a highly creative and organised design professional with strong leadership capability and a passion for delivering outstanding brand experiences.

• Previous experience in graphic design, either within an agency, in-house creative team or freelance environment.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting and delivering against client or stakeholder briefs.
• FMCG experience is highly regarded.
• Experience designing for print production and manufacturing environments.
• Strong understanding of printing processes, packaging artwork and graphic production requirements.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator.
• Experience with packaging design is highly advantageous.
• Knowledge of After Effects or motion graphics is desirable.
• Excellent project management, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while managing competing priorities.

Why Asahi

At Asahi Beverages, we're passionate about crafting more than just drinks - we craft moments of connection, celebration, and shared enjoyment. We bring together a diverse portfolio of iconic beverage brands, a commitment to quality, and a drive to constantly innovate. Headquartered in Melbourne and with facilities right across Australia and New Zealand, you’ll find Asahi is a place where talent is nurtured, and ambition is rewarded. If you’re ready to toast your future, we’re ready to meet you.