Packaging Designer I, Junior, Licensed Consumer Products

🏢 About FOCO

Team Beans/Forever Collectibles (FOCO) is a global leader in officially licensed sports and entertainment merchandise. FOCO proudly holds licenses across major professional sports leagues, including the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, and MLS, as well as NCAA collegiate properties and a growing portfolio of entertainment and character-based brands.

Our diverse product portfolio spans apparel, accessories, footwear, home goods, toys, plush, bobbleheads, collectibles, and novelty items—designed and manufactured through a robust global supply chain. We bring fans closer to the teams, players, and characters they love through innovative, trend-driven design.

🎯 The Opportunity

FOCO is seeking a creative, detail-oriented Packaging Designer I to support the design and development of retail packaging for our growing licensed consumer products business.

This is an entry-level opportunity for an aspiring packaging or graphic designer who wants to see their creative work come to life on retail shelves and through eCommerce channels.

You'll help create visually compelling, commercially effective packaging for products ranging from bobbleheads and collectibles to plush toys, apparel, accessories, footwear, and seasonal merchandise.

Working alongside experienced designers and cross-functional teams, you'll gain hands-on experience with packaging design, dielines, production artwork, printing specifications, licensor approvals, and global manufacturing.

🎨 What You'll Do

📦 Packaging Design & Creative Development

• Assist in designing packaging for officially licensed sports and entertainment consumer products.
• Develop graphics and layouts for retail boxes, window boxes, hangtags, backing cards, sleeves, inserts, labels, and other packaging formats.
• Apply league, team, character, and brand guidelines to packaging artwork.
• Create packaging mockups, concept presentations, and visual samples for internal review.
• Support seasonal collections, new product launches, special retail programs, and limited-edition merchandise.

📝 Production Artwork & Technical Packaging

• Prepare accurate, production-ready packaging artwork using Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
• Work with approved packaging dielines, templates, dimensions, and print specifications.
• Assist with preparing files for printing, including bleeds, trim areas, color specifications, and production notes.
• Review packaging details such as logos, copyrights, barcodes, product information, and required labeling.
• Support artwork revisions based on feedback from design leadership, licensors, retailers, and manufacturing partners.

🏈 Licensed Product & Brand Compliance

• Create packaging within established guidelines for professional sports leagues, collegiate properties, and entertainment brands.
• Support licensing submissions, artwork approvals, and revision tracking.
• Work with Licensing and Quality Assurance teams to ensure packaging includes approved trademarks, required product information, and applicable labeling.

🌏 Manufacturing & Vendor Collaboration

• Support coordination with domestic and international packaging vendors and manufacturing partners.
• Assist with reviewing packaging samples, print proofs, materials, and production revisions.
• Help ensure packaging designs meet quality, cost, and manufacturing requirements.
• Support communication with overseas factories, including manufacturing partners in Asia.

🔥 Trend & Market Research

• Research packaging trends across toys, collectibles, apparel, entertainment merchandise, and mass retail.
• Explore creative packaging formats, materials, printing finishes, and merchandising opportunities.
• Develop mood boards, retail packaging references, and concept presentations.
• Contribute ideas that improve shelf appeal, customer experience, and brand presentation.

🤝 Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Product Development, Licensing, Merchandising, Sales, Sourcing, and Production.
• Maintain organized artwork files, design assets, and project documentation.
• Manage multiple assignments while meeting product development and retail launch deadlines.
• Incorporate feedback and continuously improve design execution.

• What You'll Bring

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Packaging Design, Visual Communication, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• 0–2 years of design experience, including internships, freelance projects, or academic work.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Strong understanding of typography, color theory, layout, composition, and graphic design fundamentals.
• Strong attention to detail and willingness to learn packaging production processes.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work on-site at FOCO's Piscataway, NJ headquarters.
• A professional design portfolio is mandatory.

Preferred

• Academic, internship, or professional experience with packaging design or retail consumer products.
• Familiarity with packaging dielines, print production, and production-ready artwork.
• Knowledge of Adobe InDesign and Adobe Acrobat.
• Experience creating packaging mockups or 3D packaging presentations.
• Exposure to licensed sports, toys, collectibles, or entertainment products.
• Interest in sports, pop culture, collectibles, and retail packaging.

🚨 Portfolio Requirement — Read Before Applying

A professional portfolio is REQUIRED for this position.

Candidates must submit a portfolio URL or PDF demonstrating relevant creative work, such as:

• Packaging graphics and retail packaging concepts
• Consumer product or merchandise design
• Typography, branding, and layout
• Packaging mockups or production-ready artwork

Academic and personal projects are welcome for entry-level candidates.

Applications submitted without a portfolio will not be considered.

🧠 Key Competencies

• Packaging graphic design
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Typography and visual communication
• Packaging dielines and production artwork
• Creativity and attention to detail
• Licensed product design
• Organization and time management
• Cross-functional collaboration

🌟 Why FOCO?

• Design packaging for officially licensed products across major sports leagues and entertainment brands.
• See your creative work reach retail shelves and online shoppers.
• Gain experience with product development, licensing, packaging production, and global manufacturing.
• Learn from experienced designers while developing your technical and creative skills.
• Join a fast-paced, creative consumer products company.

Benefits: Medical, dental and vision coverage; 401(k); paid time off and holidays; and employee merchandise discounts, subject to applicable plan eligibility and confirmation.

🎉 Tryouts are open at FOCO!

If you're passionate about packaging design, sports, entertainment, and creating products fans love, we'd love to see your work. Apply now!