Packaging Designer Role at IMA | Apply Now!

🧾 Job Overview

🎨 Job Title: Packaging Designer
🏢 Company: IMA – CHILLI Department
📍 Location: Cape Town, South Africa (Hybrid)
🏭 Industry: Creative / Advertising
📄 Job Type: Permanent
📌 Department: CHILLI
📅 Closing Date: Open

🏢 About IMA

IMA is a leading creative agency committed to building brands people want to engage with. The agency fosters a people-first, collaborative culture and provides opportunities to work on award-winning campaigns. Members of the team benefit from career growth, financial wellbeing support, global exposure, and comprehensive benefits.

IMA is recognised for innovation in design, supporting employees to develop cutting-edge creative solutions while nurturing a dynamic and inclusive workplace.

🌟 Company Values

At IMA, the values “We’re curious. We challenge. We commit.” guide everything we do. These principles shape collaboration, client engagement, and creative excellence, ensuring work is innovative, impactful, and industry-leading.

🎯 Role Purpose

The Packaging Designer will support the CHILLI department by creating high-quality, attention-grabbing packaging solutions. This role requires a deep understanding of design principles, packaging production processes, and the ability to translate creative briefs into engaging visual concepts. The designer will also support client pitch presentations and maintain design standards across projects.

🖌️ Key Responsibilities

🎨 Interpret creative briefs to develop innovative packaging design concepts
💡 Produce designs tailored specifically for packaging, including typography, hierarchy, and messaging
📢 Present finalised concepts to clients or account handlers professionally
🔍 Conduct self-initiated research to enhance briefs and add value to designs
⏱️ Accurately estimate project timelines and communicate to account handlers
🤝 Collaborate with the creative team to maintain quality and consistency across outputs
🖥️ Support artworking and production processes, ensuring technical accuracy and delivery standards
🌟 Contribute to pitch presentations and other creative initiatives as required

🎓 Minimum Requirements

🎓 Evidence of packaging design experience, ideally within food & drink
🎨 Solid grounding in design principles and strong awareness of industry trends
💬 Ability to articulate design concepts to clients and team members
🖥️ Knowledge of artworking and production processes
🧠 Strong self-management, organisation, and problem-solving skills
🤝 Excellent communication and team collaboration skills

🧠 Skills & Competencies

🧐 Attention to detail and accuracy in all outputs
🚀 Creative thinking and the ability to generate innovative packaging solutions
💡 Proactivity and self-driven approach to challenges
🤝 Strong interpersonal and client-facing skills
🔄 Flexibility to adapt to changing briefs and priorities
⏱️ Time management and the ability to meet deadlines consistently

📝 CV Tips for Packaging Designers

📌 Include a portfolio demonstrating packaging design projects, preferably for food & beverage
📌 Highlight knowledge of production processes and software used
📌 Show examples of creative problem-solving and innovation
📌 Emphasise collaboration experience within multi-disciplinary teams
📌 Tailor your CV to reflect attention to detail, technical accuracy, and client-facing experience

🏛️ Company Policy & Employment Equity

IMA is committed to equal opportunity employment and values diversity in all its forms. Applications are considered regardless of race, gender, disability, religion, or background.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear back within two weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful. IMA reserves the right not to fill this vacancy.