Assistant Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Assistant Graphic Designer

Company: HOUCHENS FOOD GROUP INC

Location: Bowling Green, Kentucky, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing / Retail

Date Posted: August 05, 2026

Experience Level: 0-2 Years (Entry Level to Junior)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is a hybrid graphic design and video production position, primarily focused on creating visual assets for a diverse range of retail formats.

• Key responsibilities include the design and production of marketing collateral such as flyers, billboards, and digital graphics, alongside video shooting and editing.

• The position requires proficiency in industry-standard design software and an understanding of brand consistency across multiple retail brands.

• This is an on-site role requiring full-time dedication to supporting marketing initiatives within the Houchens Food Group ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Assistant Graphic Designer" title, combined with the 1-3 years of experience requirement and the mention of recent graduates being considered, clearly indicates an entry-level to junior position. The focus on production art and secondary video responsibilities suggests a role geared towards executing existing brand guidelines and marketing campaign needs rather than high-level strategic creative direction.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce production-ready graphic assets, including flyers, posters, presentations, business cards, direct mail pieces, outdoor billboards, and digital graphics for various retail formats (grocery, hardware, QSR, convenience).

• Develop and update design templates, ensuring strict adherence to brand standards and maintaining visual consistency across all assigned retail brands.

• Shoot video content for marketing campaigns, promotions, social media, and internal communications, acting as the internal lead for these video projects.

• Edit and produce video content using Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Canva, performing post-production tasks like color correction, basic audio editing, formatting, and exporting final files.

• Collaborate closely with Marketing Managers and Directors to execute creative concepts, campaign needs, and broader marketing initiatives across Houchens' diverse brand portfolio.

• Support creative requests for mock-ups, social media graphics, promotional materials, presentations, and internal communication assets, ensuring accuracy and timely delivery.

• Prepare, package, and review approved artwork with print vendors, ensuring accuracy and quality for print production.

• Participate in brainstorming sessions, contributing creative ideas and taking constructive feedback to revise work efficiently in a fast-paced retail marketing environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of core graphic design production and emerging video capabilities. The emphasis on "production-ready assets" and "updating existing design templates" points towards a role focused on execution rather than conceptualization, typical for an Assistant level. The inclusion of specific retail formats (grocery, hardware, QSR, convenience) suggests the need for adaptability and understanding of diverse brand aesthetics.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Multimedia Design, Video Production, Marketing, or a related field is preferred. Experience:

• 1-3 years of experience in graphic design, multimedia design, video production, or a related creative role is preferred.

• Recent graduates with a strong portfolio demonstrating relevant skills will also be considered.

• Experience with graphic design production, print layout, digital design, and marketing creative is preferred.

• Experience shooting and editing video content is preferred. Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, with a strong emphasis on Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign for graphic design and production art.

• Experience with Canva for creating and managing brand templates for content teams.

• Strong understanding of design principles, including layout, typography, color theory, and brand consistency.

• Familiarity with video production workflow, including composition, lighting, audio, basic storytelling, and post-production processes.

• Excellent attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively in a fast-paced retail environment.

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams, receive and implement feedback constructively, and revise work efficiently. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Adobe Premiere Pro for video editing; experience with After Effects for motion graphics is a plus.

• Familiarity with social media content formats, motion graphics, photography, and print production processes.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

• Experience with advertising production systems is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "preferred" qualifications for Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects, coupled with the "required" proficiency in Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, clearly delineates the primary focus of the role on graphic design, with video as a secondary, albeit important, function. The inclusion of Canva suggests a need for templated, user-friendly design solutions for broader marketing teams.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is required, showcasing a range of graphic design work, including examples of flyers, digital graphics, and layout design.

• Include specific examples of video work, demonstrating shooting and editing capabilities, and post-production skills.

• Showcase understanding of brand consistency by providing examples of work adapted across different brand guidelines or templates.

• Demonstrate experience with production-ready artwork and collaboration with print vendors, if applicable. Process Documentation:

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their design process from brief to final delivery, highlighting how they manage feedback and revisions.

• Be ready to explain your workflow for video production, from pre-production planning (storyboarding, location scouting) through shooting and post-production editing.

• Demonstrate an understanding of how to maintain brand standards and visual consistency across various marketing materials and platforms.

• Illustrate how you manage multiple projects and deadlines, showcasing organizational skills and time management strategies in a production environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an Assistant Graphic Designer role, the portfolio is critical. The emphasis should be on demonstrating execution proficiency, understanding of brand guidelines, and the ability to work within established systems. For video, showcasing the ability to capture and edit usable content is key, rather than requiring extensive directorial experience.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for an Assistant Graphic Designer with 0-2 years of experience in Bowling Green, KY, the estimated annual salary range is between $38,000 and $52,000. This estimate accounts for the cost of living in the region and the typical compensation for roles requiring proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and basic video production. Benefits:

• Competitive compensation package.

• Comprehensive benefits program, likely including health insurance, paid time off, and retirement savings plans, consistent with a large, established organization like Houchens Industries.

• Opportunities for employee ownership through the company's ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan), a significant differentiator for Houchens. Working Hours:

• This is a full-time, on-site position, typically requiring 40 hours per week. Standard business hours are expected, with potential for occasional overtime depending on project deadlines and marketing campaign needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is estimated based on national averages for similar roles and adjusted for regional cost of living in Bowling Green, KY, using data from resources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics and salary aggregators. The mention of an ESOP is a critical benefit unique to Houchens and should be highlighted.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry:

• Houchens Food Group operates within the diversified retail and food service industry, managing a broad portfolio of brands including grocery (IGA), quick-service restaurants (Subway, Slim Chickens), and convenience stores (Shell). This context means the creative team supports a wide array of marketing needs, from local store promotions to corporate branding initiatives. Company Size:

• Houchens Industries, Inc. is recognized as one of the largest, most successful, and most diversified 100% wholly owned S Corporation ESOPs in the country. This indicates a large, established organization with a significant employee-owner base, fostering a culture of shared success and long-term commitment. Founded:

• Houchens Industries, Inc. is a long-standing company, with Houchens Food Group as a key subsidiary. Its history as a successful ESOP suggests a focus on stability, employee development, and community integration. Team Structure:

• The Assistant Graphic Designer will likely be part of a marketing or creative department within Houchens Food Group. This team will include Marketing Managers and Directors who provide creative direction and project briefs.

• Collaboration is expected across various Houchens departments and subsidiary brands, requiring adaptability and clear communication.

• The team structure likely supports a "fearless innovator and smart competitor" ethos, encouraging creative problem-solving within brand guidelines. Methodology:

• The company emphasizes "creative retail formats, outstanding service, and a commitment to the communities we serve," suggesting a customer-centric and community-focused approach to marketing.

• Design and video production methodologies will likely prioritize brand consistency, clear communication of promotions, and efficient execution to meet retail marketing timelines.

• Data-driven insights may inform creative decisions, though the primary focus for this role is on production execution. Company Website:

• HOUCHENS FOOD GROUP INC (Assuming this is the correct domain based on domain_derived)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's ESOP structure is a significant cultural element that impacts employee ownership and long-term commitment. The diverse retail portfolio means the creative team must be versatile and understand the nuances of different brand strategies.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level:

• This role is positioned at the entry-level to junior stage of a creative career path within a large corporate structure. It offers foundational experience in graphic design production and video editing within a multi-brand retail environment. Reporting Structure:

• The Assistant Graphic Designer will report to a Marketing Manager or Director, who will provide project assignments, creative direction, and performance feedback. This structure allows for mentorship and guidance from experienced marketing professionals. Operations Impact:

• While not directly managing revenue operations or sales processes, this role's output directly impacts brand perception, promotional effectiveness, and customer engagement across various retail formats. High-quality visual assets and compelling video content contribute to sales initiatives and brand loyalty. Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunity to deepen expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, master video editing techniques, and potentially develop skills in motion graphics or more advanced video production.

• Brand Specialization: Potential to become a subject matter expert for specific retail brands within the Houchens portfolio, understanding their unique visual identity and marketing needs.

• Increased Responsibility: As experience grows, the role could evolve into a Graphic Designer or Video Specialist position with greater autonomy in design execution and project management.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gaining experience collaborating with different departments and subsidiaries can broaden understanding of business operations and marketing strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path here is within a creative function, not traditional operations. Growth will likely involve mastering creative tools, understanding diverse brand needs, and potentially taking on more complex projects or leadership within the creative team.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type:

• This is an in-office position, indicating a traditional office environment where collaboration and access to company resources are paramount. The workspace is designed for on-site team interaction and production work. Office Location(s):

• The primary office location is 700 Church St, Bowling Green, KY 42101. This central location within Bowling Green likely serves as a hub for administrative and creative functions for Houchens Food Group. Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely be equipped with standard office technology and design software. Access to necessary hardware (computers, monitors) and software licenses (Adobe Creative Suite) is expected.

• Opportunities for direct collaboration with marketing managers and other creative team members will be readily available, fostering a dynamic and interactive work environment.

• The environment is described as "fast-paced retail marketing," suggesting a need for efficiency, adaptability, and a proactive approach to project demands. Work Schedule:

• Standard 40-hour work week, Monday through Friday, during typical business hours. Flexibility may be required for urgent project deadlines or campaign launches, necessitating timely response and potential overtime.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is crucial. It implies a need for candidates who thrive in a collaborative, in-person setting and are comfortable with the established routines and resources of a physical office.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of resumes and portfolios to assess foundational graphic design and video skills, relevant experience, and educational background.

• Portfolio Review & Interview: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing specific projects, their design process, and how they approach challenges. This will be followed by an interview to assess technical skills, creative thinking, and cultural fit.

• Technical/Creative Assessment: Potentially a small design or editing task to evaluate practical application of skills under timed conditions.

• Final Interview: Meeting with marketing leadership to discuss role expectations, career aspirations, and confirm alignment with company values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase your strongest and most relevant graphic design and video work. Quality over quantity is key.

• Tell a Story: For each project, briefly explain the objective, your role, the process, the tools used, and the outcome or impact.

• Highlight Brand Consistency: Include examples that demonstrate your ability to adhere to brand guidelines and maintain visual integrity across different applications.

• Showcase Production Readiness: For graphic design, include examples that are clearly production-ready, demonstrating attention to detail for print and digital output.

• Video Clarity: For video, ensure clips are well-edited, visually appealing, and demonstrate your proficiency with editing software and basic storytelling.

• Organize Logically: Group your work by type (e.g., print, digital, video) or by project. Ensure easy navigation.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your design process and how you approach creative briefs.

• Practice explaining your video editing workflow and any challenges encountered.

• Familiarize yourself with Houchens Food Group's various brands and their current marketing efforts to understand their visual identity and target audiences.

• Be ready to articulate how your skills align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, particularly in balancing graphic design and video production tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is the most critical component for this role. Candidates should prepare to speak in detail about their design decisions, technical execution, and ability to work within brand frameworks. The "Assistant" level suggests a focus on execution and learning.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Illustrator: Essential for vector graphics, logos, and detailed illustrations.
  • Photoshop: Crucial for image editing, manipulation, and creating digital graphics.
  • InDesign: Key for layout design, print production, and multi-page documents like flyers and direct mail.

• Canva: Used for creating and managing brand templates, enabling broader marketing teams to produce branded content.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly a data analysis role, understanding how design and video impact engagement metrics (e.g., social media likes, click-through rates on digital ads) is beneficial. Experience with social media analytics platforms is a plus. CRM & Automation:

• Familiarity with marketing automation platforms is not explicitly required but could be beneficial for understanding how creative assets are deployed in campaigns. Video Production & Editing:

• Adobe Premiere Pro: Preferred for video editing, timeline management, and exporting final video assets.

• Adobe After Effects: A plus for creating more advanced motion graphics, titles, and visual effects.

• Camera Equipment: Experience with DSLR cameras, lighting setups, and audio recording equipment is necessary for shooting video content.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is mastery of Adobe Creative Suite for graphic design. Video editing proficiency with Premiere Pro is also key, with After Effects being a valuable addition. Canva's inclusion points to a need for creating accessible design templates.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Competitiveness: Houchens Food Group is described as a "fearless innovator and smart competitor." This suggests a culture that encourages creative thinking and strategic problem-solving, even within production-focused roles.

• Community Commitment: A strong emphasis on serving the communities where their brands operate. This implies that marketing materials should resonate with local audiences and reflect positive brand values.

• Employee Ownership: As an ESOP, the company fosters a sense of shared responsibility and long-term commitment among its employee-owners. This translates to a culture where contributions are valued and individuals are invested in the company's success.

• Efficiency & Quality: The fast-paced retail marketing environment demands efficient execution without sacrificing the quality and accuracy of creative output.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role requires close collaboration with Marketing Managers, Directors, and potentially other departments within Houchens and its subsidiaries. This necessitates strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with diverse teams.

• Feedback-Driven: The job description emphasizes taking creative direction and feedback constructively, indicating a culture that values iteration and continuous improvement based on input.

• Team-Oriented: While individual creative work is central, the role supports broader marketing initiatives, underscoring the importance of teamwork and contributing to collective goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The ESOP structure likely instills a unique culture of collaboration and shared purpose. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate how they can contribute to a team environment that values both individual creative contribution and collective success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Multiple Brands: Managing design and video production for a diverse portfolio of retail brands, each with its own identity and marketing objectives, can be challenging.

• Fast-Paced Environment: The retail marketing sector is dynamic; adapting quickly to changing campaign needs, tight deadlines, and evolving trends requires strong time management and prioritization skills.

• Production Focus: For an "Assistant" role, the primary challenge might be executing tasks efficiently and accurately according to established guidelines, rather than leading creative strategy.

• Video Workload Fluctuations: While video is a responsibility, it's noted as secondary. Managing this fluctuating workload alongside core graphic design duties requires flexibility.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mastering Adobe Suite & Video Tools: Deepen proficiency in advanced features of Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere Pro, and potentially After Effects.

• Retail Marketing Acumen: Gain a comprehensive understanding of marketing strategies and creative needs across various retail sectors (grocery, QSR, convenience, hardware).

• Brand Management: Learn to effectively apply and maintain brand consistency for multiple distinct brands.

• Practical Production Experience: Develop hands-on experience in all phases of graphic design and video production, from concept to final output and vendor coordination.

• ESOP Culture Integration: Understand and contribute to the unique culture of an employee-owned company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary growth path is in honing execution skills and gaining broad exposure to different retail marketing needs. Opportunities for advanced technical learning in design and video are also significant.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: "Describe your typical workflow for creating a flyer or digital ad from initial brief to final delivery. How do you incorporate feedback?"

• Video Production: "Walk me through a video project you shot and edited. What were the key challenges, and how did you overcome them?"

• Brand Consistency: "How do you ensure visual consistency when working across multiple brands with different guidelines?"

• Prioritization: "Given multiple urgent requests for different brands, how would you prioritize your workload?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for Houchens Food Group and its diverse brand portfolio?"

• "How do you see yourself contributing to a company that is 100% employee-owned?"

• "Describe a time you worked collaboratively with a team to achieve a creative goal." Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or by the most relevant skills for this role.

• Highlight Process: For each piece, explain your thought process, the problem you were solving, and the tools you used.

• Showcase Versatility: Demonstrate your ability to handle both graphic design and video production tasks.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If any of your work led to measurable results (e.g., increased engagement, successful campaign), be prepared to share that data.

• Enthusiasm for Retail: Convey your understanding of and enthusiasm for the retail marketing environment and Houchens' brands.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a candidate who can demonstrate strong foundational creative skills, a good understanding of production workflows, adaptability to multi-brand environments, and a collaborative spirit aligned with the company's ESOP culture.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Assistant Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the recruiting platform.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight relevant graphic design production samples (flyers, digital assets, print layouts) and video editing work. Ensure it clearly demonstrates your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and your ability to maintain brand consistency.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to emphasize your experience with graphic design software, video editing tools, and any relevant projects, particularly those in a retail or marketing context. Use keywords from the job description like "Adobe Creative Suite," "video production," "print layout," and "brand consistency."

• Interview Preparation: Practice discussing your design process, your video editing workflow, and how you handle feedback. Prepare to present your portfolio confidently and articulate your interest in Houchens Food Group's diverse brands.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Houchens Food Group, its subsidiary brands (e.g., Price Less IGA, Subway, Slim Chickens), and their general marketing approaches. Understand the company's ESOP structure and its implications for company culture.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.