Design Director

AriZona Beverages, founded in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1992, is proud to be a family owned and operated American company. AriZona’s mission is to offer top quality beverages in uniquely designed packages that are accessible and affordable. AriZona Beverages — makers of the number one ready-to-drink Iced Tea in America - holds a unique position in the global beverage industry with its iconic $0.99 big can and “keeping it real” no frills approach to the consumer market. AriZona never pays for glitzy advertising campaigns to gain consumer loyalty and is constantly ahead of the curve, carving out trends without the use of focus groups and market research. With a loyal following across various demographics, AriZona pulls its own inspiration from its fierce social media following and devoted fan base.

SUMMARY/OBJECTIVE

We are seeking an organized Design Director with hands-on experience, strong supervisory skills, with packaging, prepress, and production knowledge and expertise. This role is deeply involved in the design management process which includes; developing, refining, and executing projects while managing a team of designers to simultaneously deliver market-ready creative collateral that aligns with AriZona’s brand vision on a daily basis. The Design Director will collaborate with the chairman, executive team, and internal departments to ensure all packaging and visual assets meet brand standards and production requirements.

Interested candidates should submit their resume, cover letter, and a portfolio showcasing their packaging design work.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Lead the creation and refinement of artwork, product labels, and marketing collateral.
• Develop visually compelling and functional designs that adhere to brand guidelines and industry regulations.
• Ensure all designs are production-ready, working closely with prepress and print vendors to ensure color accuracy and print quality.
• Directly contribute to high-priority projects, balancing leadership responsibilities with hands-on design work.
• Guide and mentor a team of designers and graphic artists, fostering a collaborative culture and efficient work environment.
• Oversee multiple projects from kick-off to final production, ensuring deadlines and quality standards are met.
• Provide organized notes and constructive feedback, ensuring consistency and brand integrity.
• Act as a direct link between the executive team and the creative department deliverables, translating leadership vision into tangible, executable solutions.
• Work closely with sales, marketing, and product development teams to align design expectations with promotional campaigns and market efforts.
• Engage with external partners, including illustrators, photographers, and print vendors, to enhance packaging designs.
• Maintain and refine AriZona’s brand identity across all packaging and visual assets.
• Research and integrate innovative design trends, materials, and techniques to keep the brand fresh and competitive.
• Ensure all packaging solutions consider sustainability, functionality, and consumer engagements.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Industrial Design, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of hands-on experience in packaging design, with at least 3 years in a leadership or senior design role.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) and packaging-specific software.
• Strong understanding of prepress processes, printing techniques, and packaging materials.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to present design concepts to non-design stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, high-output environment.
• Experience working directly with executive leadership and managing cross-functional collaborations.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Yes

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Corporate Office

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the person is regularly required to sit, stand and walk.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this Job Description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Please check out some of the perks and benefits of working at AriZona by clicking on the link below!

https://drinkarizona.com/pages/az-benefits