Freelance Lead Packaging Designer (Part Time)

FuseGlobal

39d•$0 - $56•Remote

About The Position

We're looking for an accomplished packaging designer with an advanced understanding of strategic development for consumer packaged goods. As a Freelance Lead Packaging Designer, you will provide senior-level packaging design expertise to the internal Creative Studio on a contract basis, supporting defined packaging initiatives across a portfolio of brands. Working closely with Brand Marketing, Packaging Development, Regulatory Affairs, Labeling, and external production partners, you will develop impactful, consumer-centric packaging that strengthens brand presence, clearly communicates product benefits, and supports business objectives. This is a hands-on freelance role focused on project-based creative development and production-ready execution. You will support packaging work from concept exploration through final artwork, help evolve existing brand systems, contribute to product launches and innovation projects, and ensure assigned packaging deliverables reflect brand strategy while meeting technical, regulatory, and commercial requirements. We are looking for an experienced packaging designer with strong conceptual thinking, polished creative judgment, and a practical understanding of packaging design, print production, and consumer-packaged goods. As a freelance partner to the creative team, you will help deliver compelling packaging solutions within agreed project scopes and timelines.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in graphic design or related field.
5-7 years of professional packaging design experience in a fast-paced CPG, agency, or studio environment.
Demonstrated ability to contribute quickly to project-based design work, manage multiple priorities, and deliver polished packaging solutions within established timelines.
Professional-level understanding of visual category norms for nutrition, health, and food packaging.

Nice To Haves

Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite; knowledge of Adobe AI tools, including Firefly, preferred.
Strong knowledge of file production for printed packaging, including mechanical artwork preparation and print-ready file requirements.
Strong portfolio highlighting packaging design, visual design systems, and consumer-centered design solutions
Exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to ensure accuracy and consistency across packaging components and artwork files.
Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design decisions and incorporate feedback.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced, project-based environment.
Ability to work quickly and independently while staying aligned with internal creative direction and cross-functional input.
Ability to guide internal or external production partners in achieving high-quality creative execution.
Ability to brainstorm, ideate, and translate creative direction into polished packaging design deliverables.
Ability to develop and execute creative assets that accurately reflect brand standards while meeting business and marketing objectives.
Ability to create designs that consider an omnichannel landscape in which packaging graphics may be leveraged across other consumer touchpoints

Responsibilities

Support and guide the creative execution of packaging design projects across assigned brands and product categories, ensuring alignment with brand guidelines, consumer insights, and business objectives.
Conceptualize and develop packaging design solutions for new product launches, renovations, line extensions, and promotional initiatives within defined project scopes.
Create visually compelling packaging that effectively communicates product benefits, enhances shelf presence, and supports consumer decision-making.
Translate brand strategy and marketing objectives into practical packaging design systems, layouts, and visual assets.
Help evolve and refine existing packaging design systems to maintain relevance, differentiation, and consistency across the portfolio.
Deliver high-quality creative work while balancing brand, commercial, technical, regulatory, and production requirements.
Prepare, adapt, and review production-ready packaging artwork across a variety of formats and substrates.
Ensure assigned packaging files comply with brand standards, regulatory requirements, and print production specifications.
Partner with packaging engineers, printers, pre-press partners, and production suppliers to support accurate execution from concept through final production.
Support packaging updates, product renovations, claims changes, and other artwork revisions as needed.
Organize working files, templates, and packaging assets to support clear handoff, consistency, and efficient project execution.
Work closely with Brand Marketing, Product Development, Packaging Engineering, Regulatory Affairs, Labeling, and Commercial teams to deliver effective packaging solutions.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand project objectives, consumer needs, timing, and category dynamics.
Incorporate consumer insights, market trends, and competitive references into packaging concepts and design recommendations where appropriate.
Provide art direction or creative guidance for supporting visual assets, including photography, illustration, renders, and graphics, ensuring alignment with brand identity.
Engage effectively with external agencies, printers, pre-press partners, and suppliers to support successful project delivery.
Stay current with packaging design trends, materials, printing technologies, and sustainability best practices.
Identify opportunities to enhance packaging effectiveness, improve consumer engagement, and strengthen brand differentiation.
Offer ideas and recommendations that support innovation, efficiency, and creative excellence across assigned packaging projects.
Evaluate packaging solutions against established project objectives and brand requirements.
Provide additional project-related design support as requested