About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Licensed Consumer Products / Sports & Entertainment Merchandise.

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

---

Position Overview

Confidential Client is seeking an entry-level Packaging Designer I (Junior) to support retail and eCommerce packaging design for officially licensed consumer products. This role offers hands-on experience with packaging graphics, dielines, production artwork, licensor approvals, and collaboration with global manufacturing partners. This position requires on-site work at the Confidential Client headquarters in Piscataway, NJ.

---

What You’ll Do

• Assist in designing packaging for licensed sports and entertainment consumer products, including bobbleheads, plush, apparel, accessories, footwear, and seasonal merchandise.
• Develop graphics and layouts for retail boxes, window boxes, hangtags, backing cards, sleeves, inserts, labels, and other packaging formats.
• Apply league, team, character, and brand guidelines to packaging artwork.
• Create packaging mockups, concept presentations, and visual samples for internal review.
• Support seasonal collections, new product launches, special retail programs, and limited-edition merchandise.
• Prepare accurate, production-ready packaging artwork using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop (and InDesign where applicable).
• Work with approved dielines, templates, dimensions, bleeds, trim areas, and print specifications.
• Review packaging details such as logos, copyrights, barcodes, product information, and required labeling.
• Support artwork revisions based on feedback from design leadership, licensors, retailers, and manufacturing partners.
• Coordinate with domestic and international packaging vendors and factories; assist with reviewing samples and print proofs.
• Research packaging and retail trends; develop mood boards, references, and concept presentations to improve shelf appeal and customer experience.
• Maintain organized artwork files, design assets, and documentation while managing multiple assignments to meet production and retail launch deadlines.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Product Development, Licensing, Merchandising, Sales, Sourcing, and Production.

---

What You’ll Bring

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Packaging Design, Visual Communication, or a related field — or equivalent relevant experience.
• 0–2 years of design experience (including internships, freelance projects, or academic work).
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Strong understanding of typography, color theory, layout, composition, and graphic design fundamentals.
• Strong attention to detail and a willingness to learn packaging production processes.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work on-site at Confidential Client’s Piscataway, NJ headquarters.
• A professional design portfolio is mandatory.

Preferred

• Academic, internship, or professional experience with packaging design or retail consumer products.
• Familiarity with packaging dielines, print production, and production-ready artwork.
• Knowledge of Adobe InDesign and Adobe Acrobat.
• Experience creating packaging mockups or 3D packaging presentations.
• Exposure to licensed sports, toys, collectibles, or entertainment products.
• Interest in sports, pop culture, collectibles, and retail packaging.

---

Portfolio Requirement — Read Before Applying

A professional portfolio is REQUIRED for this position. Candidates must submit a portfolio URL or PDF demonstrating relevant creative work, such as:

• Packaging graphics and retail packaging concepts
• Consumer product or merchandise design
• Typography, branding, and layout
• Packaging mockups or production-ready artwork

Academic and personal projects are welcome for entry-level candidates. Applications submitted without a portfolio will not be considered.

---

Key Competencies

• Packaging graphic design
• Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop; InDesign preferred)
• Typography and visual communication
• Packaging dielines and production artwork
• Creativity and attention to detail
• Licensed product and brand compliance
• Organization, time management, and cross-functional collaboration

---

Why Confidential Client?

• Design packaging for officially licensed products across major sports leagues and entertainment brands.
• See your creative work reach retail shelves and online shoppers.
• Gain practical experience with product development, licensing, packaging production, and global manufacturing.
• Learn from experienced designers and develop both technical and creative skills.
• Join a fast-paced, creative consumer products company focused on trend-driven design.

---

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k)
• Paid time off and holidays
• Employee merchandise discounts (subject to plan eligibility and confirmation)

---

Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency

Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.

If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.