Job Description
About us
For over 30 years, Tjarks & Tjarks has been a leader in private label branding and packaging, creating design that wins at the retail shelf. We combine creativity, precision, and production expertise to deliver end-to-end design-to-artwork solutions for global retailers.
Our culture is built on reliability, consistency, and exceptional attention to detail. We’re hands-on, dependable, and obsessed with craft, delivering work that performs in the real world.
The Role
We’re searching for an exceptional Creative Director to elevate, energise, and shape the future of our in-house creative team. You’ll be a hands-on leader who sets the vision, champions craft, and inspires excellence in every project we ship.
This role is a blend of big-picture direction and creative precision. You’ll define the creative benchmark for T&T, guide a talented multidisciplinary team, and modernise the way we work - introducing smarter tools, scalable systems, and forward-thinking digital innovations.
We’re looking for a creative leader who’s both visionary and grounded - someone who can light up a room with ideas, then roll up their sleeves to refine the details. You’ll mentor and grow internal talent, elevate the quality of our output, and ensure our work remains world-class in its creativity, clarity, and craft. Most importantly, you’ll set the tone: bringing energy, positivity, and a passionate creative spark to the department every day.
About you
* You’ve lived the agency pace and know how to lead teams under pressure.
* Can build, manage, and reshape teams as needed.
* Can present to clients and capture attention with your creative presentation skills.
* Brings exceptional craft skills and a deep understanding of process.
* Balances creativity with commercial reality.
* Embodies precision, reliability, and consistency in everything you do.
* Strong leadership skills - leads by example, inspiring, upskilling, and empowering the team.
Key Responsibilities
* Define and lead T&T’s creative vision across all clients, categories, and markets.
* Inspire and develop a multidisciplinary design team through guidance, delegation, and accountability.
* Maintain world-class standards across packaging, branding, print, and artwork.
* Oversee colour, repro, and retouching quality, ensuring accuracy and consistency across every SKU.
* Drive efficiency and innovation by embedding modern tools and AI-driven workflows.
* Recruit, mentor, and retain top creative talent; address performance where needed.
* Collaborate with client service and production teams to ensure creative work delivers on time, on brand, and on brief.
* Lead internal creative presentations and agency-wide sessions with confidence and clarity.
* Visit clients and attend client calls to take briefings and present work.
* Represent the design department in the quarterly SLT meetings.
Requirements
* Proven experience in senior creative leadership within private label, FMCG, or packaging.
* A standout portfolio showing exceptional design craft, brand storytelling, and strategic thinking.
* Experienced in own brand and national brands
* An expert in strategic thinking and being about to look beyond boundaries.
* Expert understanding of print processes.
* Expert hands-on skills in Photoshop, retouching, and design refinement.
* Knowledge of 3D, web, or tech-based design to complement core packaging experience.
* Tech-savvy and process-driven, comfortable with modern design systems and AI tools.
* Skilled at team leadership, recruitment, and performance management.
* Highly organised, dependable, and detail-oriented, with a calm, consistent approach to delivery.
* Skilled and confident at presenting design to world leading retailers.
* Ability to select and manage freelance talent on more creative projects.