Freelance Lead Packaging Designer (Part Time)

About the role

We're looking for an accomplished packaging designer with an advanced understanding of strategic development for consumer packaged goods. As a Freelance Lead Packaging Designer, you will provide senior-level packaging design expertise to the internal Creative Studio on a contract basis, supporting defined packaging initiatives across a portfolio of brands.

Responsibilities

• Packaging Design & Creative Development Support and guide the creative execution of packaging design projects across assigned brands and product categories, ensuring alignment with brand guidelines, consumer insights, and business objectives.
• Conceptualize and develop packaging design solutions for new product launches, renovations, line extensions, and promotional initiatives within defined project scopes.
• Create visually compelling packaging that effectively communicates product benefits, enhances shelf presence, and supports consumer decision-making.
• Translate brand strategy and marketing objectives into practical packaging design systems, layouts, and visual assets.
• Help evolve and refine existing packaging design systems to maintain relevance, differentiation, and consistency across the portfolio.
• Prepare, adapt, and review production-ready packaging artwork across a variety of formats and substrates.
• Support packaging updates, product renovations, claims changes, and other artwork revisions as needed.
• Organize working files, templates, and packaging assets to support clear handoff, consistency, and efficient project execution.
• Collaborate with Brand Marketing, Product Development, Packaging Engineering, Regulatory Affairs, Labeling, and Commercial teams to deliver effective packaging solutions.
• Incorporate consumer insights, market trends, and competitive references into packaging concepts and design recommendations where appropriate.
• Provide art direction or creative guidance for supporting visual assets, including photography, illustration, renders, and graphics, ensuring alignment with brand identity.
• Engage effectively with external agencies, printers, pre-press partners, and suppliers to support successful project delivery.
• Stay current with packaging design trends, materials, printing technologies, and sustainability best practices.
• Evaluate packaging solutions against established project objectives and brand requirements.
• Provide additional project-related design support as requested.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in graphic design or related field.
• 5-7 years of professional packaging design experience in a fast-paced CPG, agency, or studio environment.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute quickly to project-based design work, manage multiple priorities, and deliver polished packaging solutions within established timelines.
• Professional-level understanding of visual category norms for nutrition, health, and food packaging.
• 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.
• Strong portfolio highlighting packaging design, visual design systems, and consumer-centered design solutions.
• Exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to ensure accuracy and consistency across packaging components and artwork files.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design decisions and incorporate feedback.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced, project-based environment.
• Ability to work quickly and independently while staying aligned with internal creative direction and cross-functional input.
• Ability to guide internal or external production partners in achieving high-quality creative execution.
• Ability to brainstorm, ideate, and translate creative 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.

Benefits

• Up to $56.00 per hour + Overtime
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Disability insurance