At Koala we believe that designing better habitats leads to better lives – for our people, our planet, and the communities we’re part of. For a decade we have been perfecting our approach to furniture design; creating beautiful, flexible, innovative and sustainable products that solve the needs of real people.

Why we have this role @ Koala?

As a brand, Koala is all about creating those little (or big!) moments that surprise and delight our users in a way that’s relevant, unique, and engaging. As a Senior Packaging Designer, you’ll be responsible for creating those very product experience moments in everything you bring to life at Koala. Through this approach you’ll ensure each brand touch point within the product is one which creates and further develops a relationship with our user to deliver meaningful and long term relationships and shareable experiences.

Who are you?

You’re a senior member of Koala’s creative team and are responsible for taking our packaging to the next level in the way of both form and function. You have the Midas’ touch when it comes to design, so anything that contains a Koala product is nothing short of amazing whenever you’re involved.

You’re a gun on the tools and feel comfortable lending a helping hand to our talented creative team when needed. So if that, as well as overseeing the design team to help them achieve their best work is right up your alley, let’s chat.

Your style is ahead of the curve, and you should be able to effortlessly apply your ability to create beautiful work that makes our products and brand look nothing short of amazing. You should know the difference between pretty ‘wallpaper’ creative and something that actually makes someone stop in their tracks for a closer look.

What key responsibilities does this role have @ Koala?

• Concept generation and the efficient creation of testable representations

• 3D packaging development which is engaging yet cohesive across a range or product tiers

• Producing accurate and detailed production documentation (bill of material and production drawings for manufacture) within agreed timeframes

• Producing physical models and prototypes that meaningfully impact design direction

• Cost estimation throughout the design process and working with insights capability to maximise product attractiveness (across price, feature, function, finish, buying experience)

• Communicating effectively with key stakeholders including expressing the rationale of design decisions, sourcing required information (internally and externally) as well as identifying, escalating and resolving issues arising from the design process

• Be proactive and follow up - own the success of the overall project

• Identify, escalate and resolve key issues during the design process including resolving Packaging and product issues and cost resolution while ensuring the product vision and user requirements are met

• Significantly influence the aesthetic across packaging portfolio and ensuring consistency throughout a range

• QC / overseeing internal documentation

• Future development of Junior design team members

Ideal background... 

• 3-5+ years experience in Packaging design, Graphics design, Industrial design

• A tertiary qualification in Graphic Design, Industrial Design

• Experience with Packaging (3D) design, high volume, consumer goods

• Practical knowledge of packaging materials, material properties and material finishing

• Advanced knowledge in Adobe Suite and spreadsheeting

• Proactive, self-sufficient, autonomous, collaborative and works well under pressure

• Excellent organisation and time management skills

• Ability to manage to outcomes (not to process)

• Comfort with a dynamic and flexible design environment

• Ability and willingness to incorporate rapid testing and iteration into the design process

• Experience in development and bringing to market of high volume production product

• Experience in seasonal product launches (multiple per year)

• Experience in working to international product standards and life-cycle testing

Treehouse Perks and Privileges…

Koala is only great when its employees are happy — and we’re one happy bunch!

• Hybrid working - We’re mixing it up with ~3 days back in the Alexandria Treehouse (office) and work from bed/home (WFB)

• Take a break - Generous time off - volunteer, parental, Koala life leave and more to help keep your work-life balance, balanced.

  Treehouse goods - Fully stocked kitchen with an emphasis on healthy local produce, think bougie brekky, salad bar, kombucha on tap, monthly barbies and more.

• Pet-friendly - The Koala Treehouse is as pet-friendly as they get!

• Surprise & delight - The two-word combo at the core of everything we do. All Koalas can expect to enjoy free Koala products with ‘mates rates’ for your friends and fam.

• Support & wellbeing - Our employee experience respects and embraces all families, formed, found and evolving. You’ll have access to our Employee Assistance Program, which includes unlimited sessions for financial, work, relationship, family or wellbeing support.

• Accelerate your career - via our Learning Management platform Juno, as well as individual and team growth budgets and dedicated days.

• Short-term incentive plans ensure you benefit as Koala succeeds!

• Community & connection - We believe that simply doing ‘no harm’ isn’t good enough So, how are we doing our part? BCorp Certified, WWF Partnership, volunteer days, a member of SoftLanding, 1% and so much more.

All in all, the Koala Kommunity is a great place to hang out and belong to!

Koalities we look for…

At Koala, we do things a little differently and we don’t shy away from the fact that we expect a lot from our employees! We are ambitious. We are curious. We are selfless. We want you to challenge expectations, always look to make a difference and give us something different from the norm. We want people that bring great energy, that have a long-game focus and are always trying to find new angles and approaches to the way we work. We're a team full of entrepreneurial spirit and have a relentless focus on 'what's next' but while always reviewing 'what's been done' and learning, growing and adapting. We're confident, but NEVER arrogant and we adapt to change like Steve Smith under a short ball. Honesty and empathy drive everything we do, as well as a total focus on exceeding our customers’ expectations. So if you feel like this could be you... well what the bloody hell are you waiting for? Drop us a line, and let's see what you've got! ;)

There’s no such thing as a ‘perfect’ candidate, Koala is a place where everyone has opportunity. So however you identify and whatever background you bring with you, please apply if this is a role that would make you excited to come into work every day. We’re an equal opportunity employer, and recognise that a diverse workforce is crucial to our success as a business.

To read more, check out our careers, LinkedIn, or the great work we do with Work180.