Account Manager

Hybrid - 3 days in our Purley studio

Our story so far

At Tjarks and Tjarks, creativity meets craft. For over 30 years, we’ve remained proudly privately owned, shaping bold, distinctive brands that don’t just sit on the shelf. They stand out and get chosen.

We’ve been trusted partners to our clients for decades, helping them navigate the ever-evolving world of shoppers and retail by designing packaging that connects, competes and converts. In fact, we’re proud to say we’ve never lost a client.

From big ideas to flawless execution, we deliver a true 360° design-to-artwork approach. Efficient, precise and globally consistent. Our expertise lies in creating exceptional packaging for FMCG brands, particularly in food and beverage, while increasingly expanding into non-food categories.

We don’t just collaborate; we create as one. Our team blends imagination with technical excellence to bring brands to life in a seamless, fully integrated way.

Could this be you?

As we continue to grow, we are now looking for a dynamic and experienced Account Manager who has strong project management experience in managing packaging design and/or artwork. This role offers the opportunity to work on high profile brands within the organisation which require excellent attention to detail and execution. If you’re comfortable taking on a number of projects independently, can demonstrate efficiency and resilience and have the experience of managing projects and leading large rollouts within the creative industry, this could be the role for you!

The day to day

• Responsible for the administration of accounts, projects and brands, and for maintaining long-standing client relationships as well as building and maintaining strong internal relationships across the company.
• To own and independently manage a large number of projects and/or complete brands (at times 100 SKU’s) from taking the initial brief from the client to obtaining approval to release the project to the client, working closely with the internal Design, Retouching, Artwork and Quality Control teams to facilitate the production of packaging for our clients.
• To own and independently manage large international packaging rollouts across brands/countries as required.
• Have detailed knowledge of all your brands and your brand guidelines, and ensure consistency of design and production across all product packaging and outer cases within the brands.
• Analyse, understand, question and challenge client briefs.
• Be able to confidently advise clients on timelines for the design and artwork process, the requirements for branded and own-label packaging and the details of specific client (brand) guidelines. Have complete and detailed knowledge of our clients’ corporate, barcode, nutritional declaration and sustainability guidelines.
• Write briefings for internal design, photoshoot and digital artwork projects and brief the design or artwork team on individual projects.
• Effectively manage the timing and execution of the internal design and artwork process.
• Have a good understanding of cutter guides for packaging and of print processes. Identify potential difficulties in the print process for each project early and discuss them with the artwork/production department and the printers.
• Organise photoshoots, get quotations, book photographers and home economists, organise/source product samples, write photo briefings etc.
• Proof read your designs and artworks.
• Keep full track of all your live projects and be able to give a full account of the status of each project at any given time.
• Communicate with clients professionally, building client relationships to inspire trust and confidence in the Company.
• Effectively communicate client briefs to the Design and Artwork departments to ensure work is produced to client specification first time.
• Ensure the accuracy and precision of all work by continuously checking all details against the client brief, brand guidelines and/or style guides.
• Liaise with the Studio Manager, Design and Artwork departments, giving adequate notice for jobs to be scheduled for production.
• Advise and assist other members of the Client Services department as required.
• Provide guidance and support to more junior members of the team.
• Fully accountable for the quality and accuracy of all work that is released to our clients.
• Accountable to ensure all projects are invoiced promptly and within company timelines.
• Potential line management and mentoring more junior members of the team.