Lead Graphic Designer, Packaging

Jersey Digs; Bridgewater, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 103,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

Nestlé in Bridgewater, NJ seeks a Lead Graphic Designer, Packaging, to drive packaging design across a multi-brand portfolio. You will lead from concept to production-ready artwork, guiding internal teams and external partners to ensure high-quality execution that aligns with brand standards and regulatory requirements.

The role requires 5+ years in packaging design within a CPG or agency setting, a strong understanding of print production, and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (AI, InDesign,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design or related field preferred.
• At least 5 years of professional packaging design experience in a fast-paced CPG, agency, or studio environment.
• Experience leading packaging design projects from concept through production-ready execution.
• Professional-level understanding of visual category norms for nutrition, health, and food packaging.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional partners and external production resources to deliver packaging that meets brand, business, regulatory, and production requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the creative development and execution of packaging design projects across multiple brands and product categories.
• Conceptualize and develop innovative packaging solutions for new product launches, renovations, line extensions, and promotional initiatives.
• Create visually compelling packaging that effectively communicates product benefits and supports consumer decision-making.
• Translate brand strategy and marketing objectives into packaging design systems, visual assets, and scalable design solutions.
• Evolve and refine packaging design systems to maintain relevance and consistency across the portfolio.
• Ensure all work complies with brand standards, regulatory, labeling, and print production specifications.

Skills

Adobe Creative Suite

Firefly

Print production

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Project leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Omnichannel design

Organization skills

Education

Bachelor's in Graphic Design

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe InDesign

Photoshop

Firefly

Job description

Position Overview

As Lead Graphic Designer, Packaging, you will serve as a senior individual contributor and packaging design expert within our in-house Creative Studio. You will lead packaging design initiatives across a portfolio of brands, providing creative direction and hands-on design execution from early concept through production-ready artwork.

In this role, you will establish and evolve packaging design systems, translate brand and business strategies into compelling consumer experiences, and guide cross-functional teams and external partners toward high-quality execution. You will partner closely with Brand Marketing, Packaging Development, Regulatory Affairs, Labeling, and production partners to ensure packaging is distinctive, consumer-centered, technically feasible, compliant, and consistent with brand standards.

You will support new product launches, renovations, line extensions, and ongoing packaging updates while helping improve design quality, consistency, and ways of working across the portfolio. The ideal candidate combines strong conceptual thinking and exceptional design craft with deep knowledge of packaging production, print processes, and the consumer-packaged goods environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the creative development and execution of packaging design projects across multiple brands and product categories, ensuring alignment with brand guidelines, consumer insights, and business objectives.
• Conceptualize and develop innovative packaging solutions for new product launches, renovations, line extensions, and promotional initiatives.
• Create visually compelling packaging that effectively communicates product benefits, enhances shelf presence, and supports consumer decision-making.
• Translate brand strategy and marketing objectives into impactful packaging design systems, visual assets, and scalable design solutions.
• Evolve and refine packaging design systems over time to maintain relevance, differentiation, and consistency across the portfolio.
• Ensure all creative work is delivered to a high standard while balancing brand, commercial, technical, regulatory, and production requirements.
• Prepare, adapt, and review production-ready packaging artwork across a variety of formats and substrates.
• Ensure packaging designs comply with brand standards, regulatory requirements, labeling needs, and print production specifications.
• Partner with packaging engineers, printers, pre‑press partners, and production suppliers to ensure accurate execution from concept through final production.
• Support packaging updates, product renovations, claims changes, and other artwork revisions as required.
• Maintain organized design files, templates, and packaging asset libraries to support consistency, efficiency, and long‑term brand stewardship.
• Serve as a key creative partner to Brand Marketing, Product Development, Packaging Engineering, Regulatory Affairs, Labeling, and Commercial teams.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to define project objectives, understand consumer needs, and respond to category and business dynamics.
• Incorporate consumer insights, market trends, and competitive analysis into packaging concepts and design recommendations.
• Brief and art direct supporting visual assets, including photography, illustration, renders, and graphics, ensuring alignment with brand identity.
• Guide external agencies, printers, pre‑press partners, and suppliers to support high‑quality, consistent project delivery.
• Provide creative guidance to internal partners and help promote design quality, consistency, and best practices across packaging workstreams.
• Stay current with packaging design trends, materials, printing technologies, digital tools, and sustainability best practices.
• Identify opportunities to enhance packaging effectiveness, improve consumer engagement, streamline ways of working, and strengthen brand differentiation.
• Contribute ideas and recommendations that support innovation, efficiency, and creative excellence across the packaging portfolio.
• Evaluate packaging solutions against established project objectives, brand requirements, and marketplace expectations.
• Support additional design initiatives and business priorities as required.

Experience and Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design or related field is strongly preferred.
• At least 5 years of professional packaging design experience in a fast‑paced CPG, agency, or studio environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading packaging design projects from concept through production‑ready execution.
• Professional‑level understanding of visual category norms for nutrition, health, and food packaging.
• Experience collaborating with cross‑functional partners and external production resources to deliver packaging that meets brand, business, regulatory, and production requirements.

Skills

• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite; knowledge of Adobe AI tools, including Firefly, preferred.
• Strong knowledge of file production for printed packaging, including mechanical artwork preparation and print‑ready file requirements.
• Exceptional attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and consistency across packaging components and artwork files.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and influence cross‑functional decision‑making.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to lead design work independently while collaborating effectively with internal stakeholders, external agencies, and production partners.
• Ability to guide internal and external production partners in achieving high‑quality creative execution.
• Ability to brainstorm, ideate, and translate strategic direction into polished packaging design deliverables.
• Ability to develop and execute creative assets that accurately reflect brand standards while meeting business and marketing objectives.
• Ability to create designs that consider an omnichannel landscape in which packaging graphics may be leveraged across other consumer touchpoints.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, design excellence, and long‑term brand consistency across the packaging portfolio.

This position will be either a remote or hybrid role based on the selected candidate’s geographic location. Strong preference will be given to applicants who live within a commutable distance of Bridgewater, New Jersey.

Compensation

• Salary: $102,627.49 to $137,948.25 per year
• Bonus Eligibility: Yes

The pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Final compensation may vary based on factors including but not limited to knowledge, skills and abilities as well as geographic location. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at top of range.

Nestlé offers performance‑based incentives and a competitive total rewards package, which includes a 401k with company match, healthcare coverage and a broad range of other benefits. Incentives and/or benefit packages may vary depending on the position.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.