Product Designer - Custom Merchandise & Artwork Development

About this role

Opportunity, growth, and meaningful rewards! We offer:

Health, dental and vision insurance

Generous paid time off (vacation, flex or sick)

Holiday pay

*401(k) retirement plan

*Company paid life insurance

*Tuition reimbursement

Employee discounts across all company brands

Employee assistance program

Training and exciting career growth opportunities

Referral program – refer a friend and earn a bonus

*Benefits may vary by position so ask your recruiter for details.

Advertised Compensation: $95,500.00 to $115,700.00 Purpose: We are seeking a highly creative and detail-oriented Product Designer to lead the development of custom artwork and graphics for exclusive merchandise programs across multiple retail categories. This role will be responsible for creating compelling, trend forward designs that reflect the identity of each market, location, brand, and customer while supporting the company’s overall merchandising and product strategy.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in graphic design, product artwork development, and consumer products, with the ability to translate creative concepts into production-ready artwork for direct import and domestic manufacturing programs.

Essential Functions:

Develop original artwork, graphics, prints, logos, and design concepts for custom merchandise programs

Create market-specific and location-specific artwork for souvenirs, apparel, accessories, gifts, toys, travel, electronics accessories, and other retail categories

Partner closely with Buying, Product Development, and Sourcing teams to bring products from concept through production

Prepare production-ready artwork files and tech packs for overseas and domestic factories

Ensure artwork meets brand standards, licensing requirements, and print specifications

Research trends, colors, graphics, and consumer preferences to drive innovation and new product concepts

Create packaging concepts, hangtags, signage, and branding elements for custom programs

Review and approve samples, strike-offs, lab dips, and pre-production submissions

Manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced retail environment

Collaborate cross-functionally with Buying, Marketing, Visual Merchandising, and Operations teams to ensure cohesive storytelling and execution

Maintain organized digital asset libraries and artwork files

Major Interdependencies:, Category Management, Supply Chain, Master Data, Planning, Marketing, and Operations

Reports To: VP Category Management - Discretionary

Minimum Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Work Environment:

Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Product Design, Fashion Design, or related field

3+ years of experience in graphic design, product development, or custom merchandise design

Strong portfolio showcasing custom product artwork and consumer product design

Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign

Experience preparing production-ready artwork for factories and vendors

Strong understanding of color separation, print techniques, packaging design, and production processes

Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail

Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines

Strong communication and collaboration skills

Location/Travel:

This position is based at the Retail Center of Excellence in East Rutherford, NJ

Requires ability to travel up to 15% of the time for meetings and to visit branch locations

Avolta, including Dufry, HMSHost Corporation, Hudson, and affiliates (“the Company”), is an equal opportunity employer. It is the Company’s policy to ensure equal employment opportunity in all aspects of employment and to comply with anti-discrimination laws and regulations. The Company prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and provides equal opportunities to applicants and team members without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, age, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and lactation), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, national origin, disability, military service and veteran status, ancestry, citizenship status, marital status, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances (referred to as “protected characteristics”).