Job Description

Join our team in Leeds as a Lead Packaging Artworker! Get hands-on in creating eye-catching designs while taking the lead in packaging artwork projects. Competitive salary dependent on your experience. Take the next step in your design career with us!

The role

To lead the packaging artwork function, ensuring all outputs are delivered to the highest possible standard. Acting as the technical expert for packaging production, supporting both internal team and clients. To uphold and continuously improve quality standards across all artwork deliverables.

Key responsibilities

• Act as the guardian of quality, consistency and accuracy across all packaging artwork.
• Take ownership of artwork processes, systems and standards within the agency.
• Constructively challenge briefs to ensure technical feasibility and production accuracy.
• Implement and maintain stringent file management, version control and archiving systems.
• Accurately track time within the agency management system, ensuring timesheets are kept up to date daily.
• Create accurate, print-ready packaging artwork across multiple formats and substrates.
• Interpret creative concepts and translate them into technically robust, production-ready files.
• Ensure all artwork meets brand guidelines and retailer specifications.
• Take ownership of pre-press processes including colour management.
• Work closely with printers and repro houses to ensure seamless delivery to print.
• Retouch imagery to a high standard, ensuring consistency across packaging ranges.
• Manage multiple projects and tight deadlines with speed and precision.
• Identify and resolve technical issues before they impact production.
• Ensure all deadlines are met within agreed project timelines and budgets.
• Communicate clearly with Client Services, Creative and Production teams at every stage.
• Continuously look for ways to improve workflow efficiency and reduce errors.
• Keep up to date with packaging production techniques, materials and industry standards.

Required skills

• Proven experience in a packaging artwork role within an agency or production environment.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Highly proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud, particularly Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign.
• Strong understanding of print and packaging production processes.
• Experience with repro, colour separation, and pre-press workflows.
• Advanced retouching and image manipulation skills.
• Ability to work at pace without compromising quality.
• Strong organisational and file management skills.
• Confident communicator, able to collaborate across teams and with external partners.
• A proactive, problem-solving mindset with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Deep understanding of brand consistency and packaging compliance requirements.

Location and working hours

This role will be based from our Leeds office, 9am – 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. The role is open to hybrid working. Occasional travel to our other offices may be required.

What we offer

You’ll join a global team that backs each other and delivers joined-up brand journeys at scale for some of the world’s best brands.

In addition, we offer a competitive salary and benefits including:

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
• Your birthday off.
• Additional holidays through salary sacrifice.
• Company sick pay.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Tech & home scheme.
• Pension contribution.
• Westfield Health cash plan.
• Childcare salary sacrifice.

How we work

We expect all our team members to share the same behaviour and culture code as Ride Shotgun, check them out below:

• We make it happen: ownership matters here. We step up, back ourselves and get things done. Proactive, practical, proud of what we produce.
• We ride as one: one team, always. No egos, no drama. Trust is everything. We look out for each other and do our best work together.
• We question everything: we stay curious, challenge the expected and look for better ways to do things. That applies to our work, our thinking and ourselves.

How to apply

Apply via CharlieHR with your CV and a short note about why you’d like to join Ride Shotgun. If you have any questions about the role or the process, you can contact us at futureriders@rideshotgun.global.

Equal opportunities statement

Ride Shotgun is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and will provide reasonable adjustments where needed.