Graphic Designer

WE ARE 200 years of history and over 2,300 employees strong. WE ARE a business loaded with opportunity and career progression. WE ARE innovators, designers, makers and engineers who manufacture and provide smart, efficient, and effective building products and solutions.

Through our customer relationships, diverse building product range and solutions, we enable the creation of inspirational homes, places and spaces for us all to live and work better. With eight core product categories, underpinned by expert design and technical services, we work with architects, builders, merchants and the wider construction supply chain to build the face of Britain.

We are fully committed to a net zero future and continue to invest in expertise and product development to manufacture more efficiently and sustainably. We pride ourselves on leading for new, innovative and sustainable products and solutions, both for today and for a new era of building.

To support our progress, we are currently recruiting for a Graphic Designer to come and join our team in our Futures department working at either our Head Office, Ibstock, LE67 5HL or Nostell site, WF4 1HQ

Overview:

We are a customer-focused and innovative organization specializing in extruding and printing bespoke designs on brick slips, slimmer versions of traditional bricks used for architectural facades. As part of our cutting-edge production process, we use advanced digital printing technology to bring brick to life, from simple toning and texturing to unique, aesthetically led designs to custom prints that assemble into larger artworks when installed on buildings.

We are seeking a talented and adaptable Graphic Designer with a diverse skill set that goes beyond traditional design work. The role involves collaborating closely with architects, project developers, the sales team, and the production team to ensure customer specifications are met. This position blends creative design with technical expertise and hands-on problem solving, as the designer will be expected to adjust and optimize their work based on production feedback and rapidly changing customer needs. In addition, you will be at the forefront of our design ambition, creating attractive products from first principles. This role would suit a graphic designer from the construction-product industry, or from other high automation printed graphics industries (Packaging, Flexographic, Textile/Apparel Industry, Automotive Interiors Graphic Design, Consumer Electronics Graphic Design, etc.). You should have a curiosity to explore new areas and a drive to move between the desktop, factory floor and customer.

Key Responsibilities:

Design Creation & Management: Work with customers, architects, and project developers to translate customer specifications into digital designs for brick slips. Design work could range from simple colour patterns to complex murals and other artistic installations.

Customer Interaction: Interface with product management, the sales team and customers to clarify design specifications and requirements. Provide specification and sample support during the design approval phase and throughout production.

Design creation: Initiate and propose new designs, based on the organisation's technical capabilities as well as insight and feedback from the market. Keep a watching brief on emerging architectural trends with feedback into product management.

Production Support for NPD: Collaborate with the production team to ensure accurate colour reproduction, print alignment, and overall quality during the printing process during introduction of new designs. Make design adjustments in Photoshop as needed to address defects or improve the print outcome.

Problem-Solving: Quickly respond to late-stage design changes, production issues, or defects. Collaborate with production to troubleshoot any issues with print alignment, colour accuracy, or other defects that might occur during manufacturing.

Project Management: Develop and maintain a roadmap for each project, from initial design through to final production and launch. Ensure projects stay on track with tight timelines and deadlines. Managing design masters and version progression in multiple rapidly changing Customer/Product Design Requirements is key.

Quality Assurance: Monitor and maintain high-quality standards for all digital designs, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and attention to detail in both design and production.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in industrial product design, graphic design, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.

Software Expertise: Expert in Adobe Photoshop and image-ripping software. Familiarity with colour management, print profiling (using tools like X-rite i1 Profiler or similar), and ICC print profiling.

Digital Printing Experience: Knowledge or experience with single-pass digital printing, particularly in an industrial or manufacturing environment.

Creative & Technical Mind-set: Ability to translate customer expectations and architectural trends into functional and aesthetic product designs. Demonstrable record in initiating design from first principles

Construction Industry Knowledge: An understanding of architectural design, trends, and construction processes, particularly related to ceramic or brick materials.

Strong Communicator: Able to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including architects, construction companies, sales teams, and factory management.

Attention to Detail: A meticulous approach to design and production quality, with the ability to identify and solve problems as they arise.

Additional Desired Skills:

• Experience in industrial design or working with architectural products.
• Familiarity with the ceramic manufacturing process and its limitations.
• Knowledge of how to design for durability and aesthetic appeal in outdoor environments, such as building facades.

Think you can make a difference? WE ARE your future.

More details:

• Full time, permanent role
• Competitive salary

• Digicare+ Provided by Aviva
• 10% matched pension, administered by Legal and General
• 3x life insurance
• Share Save scheme eligibility
• Full access to Employee Assistance programme for self and family members
• Access to high street retail discounts platform - with access to discounts at Tesco, Asda, etc?
• Personal development and career progression opportunities

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion?

Excited about the role, but your past experience or qualifications don't perfectly match everything in the job description? We would encourage you to still apply. Studies have shown that some people, particularly from minority groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. Here at Ibstock Plc we are dedicated to building belonging, empowering our colleagues to be their true self by offering a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace. You may just be the right candidate for this role, or other future roles across the Ibstock Group.

Ibstock Plc are committed and passionate about building a diverse environment. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. You will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, national origin, disability or age.