Solent Group work with a diverse portfolio of Retailers and supply bespoke products within various categories, including Health & Beauty, Household Impulse Snacking and Reusable Bags. We are proud to be best-in-class when it comes to own-label product innovation. Our Categories are fast-paced with ever-evolving trends and a host of ground-breaking products coming to market on a regular basis – we add value to retailers by leading and owning each category.

Here at Solent we want people to be extraordinary. We pride ourselves on creating and producing amazing products and brands for our Global Customers. You will be joining a company with offices globally across South Africa, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Vietnam, and the UK.

Our in-house Design studio is looking to recruit an enthusiastic, passionate, and driven Creative Designer to join their team in Christchurch, Dorset.

Department: Design

Reporting to: Design, Brand and Creative Manager

Location: Christchurch, UK, Flexibility to work from home up to 3 days per week*

Scope of the Role

As a Creative Designer, covering a wide range of disciplines, you will be required to research, produce and present high-quality concept designs across Foods, Health & Beauty, Household & Reusable Bags. You will be expected to take projects through from start to finish and provide print ready artwork.

You will be working in a vibrant, fast-paced office environment alongside key stakeholders in the business including Account Managers, Product Developers and Technical Managers to deliver creative projects for a wide range of national and international customer partners.

As part of this, you will be required to work within the parameters of style guides provided by licensed brands as well as produce style guides for in house designs.

Responsibilities Include

• Take ownership of projects from idea conception to artwork delivery under the guidance of the Design Manager.
• Working closely with the Design Manager to manage and maintain workflows on a daily basis to ensure a smooth-running of the team and category.
• Design of presentations for internal teams and new business pitches
• Maintain brand consistency across all Solent brands with the ability to translate across events and experiences.
• Attend internal meetings and contribute where necessary.
• Assist the Product Development Managers with artwork approvals, to ensure accurate, consistent and well-designed products are delivered on time.
• Adhere to the deadlines and briefs set out by the Product Development Team.
• Making visual mock-ups of new packaging designs, both digitally and physically.
• Creating designs and style guides for use with packaging, and products.
• Artworking designs and preparing files to send to printers/suppliers.

Candidate Profile

You will be currently working as an experienced middleweight designer or creative artworker in an integrated agency environment or similar with a good understanding of the FMCG and retail sectors and have the following attributes:

• Excellent creative thinking and design skills.
• Strong strategic understanding and ability.
• A keen interest in the Health & Beauty industry and current and upcoming trends.
• A creative insight into product, packaging and brand design.
• Ability to take ownership of projects from idea conception to artwork delivery.
• Approachable, helpful and thrives in a supporting role.
• Work well under pressure.
• Impeccable attention to detail.
• Good time management and excellent communication skills.
• Demonstrate enthusiasm with a can-do attitude and a flexible approach to getting the job done.
• A willingness to go the extra mile, a driven team player.
• Express ideas with clarity, confidence and logical reasoning.
• Work proactively and independently, and as part of a team.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to prioritise and multi-task.

Experience and Knowledge

• Relevant design-based qualification.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop essential.
• Wider Adobe Creative Suite skills are desirable
• A passion and commitment to high-quality design.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with great time-management and communication skills.
• Ability to work proactively independently as well as part of a team.
• Experience of illustration, photography and/or marketing is desirable.
• Experience working with licensing companies, style guides and assets is desirable.
• Good understanding of print production, preferably for packaging.

Our Benefits

• Hybrid Remote – With some travel to our office locations, Widnes, Bury, our Head Office in Christchurch and factory visits in the UK and Europe
• Competitive salary with annual salary reviews
• 25 days holiday per annum, increasing to 27 days after 3 years’ service and 30 days after 5 years’ service
• Extensive benefits program including medical cash plan, access to mental health support and many other benefits
• Flexible hours and work-from-home available to all staff
• Great learning and progression opportunities with regular 1-2-1 sessions to help your personal development
• Pension Scheme Contribution
• Regular Solent social events run by our in-house Social Team
• Cycle to Work scheme