Designer graphique / Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Designer graphique / Graphic Designer

Company: Guru Organic Energy Drink

Location: 7236 Rue Waverly, Montréal, Québec, Canada

Job Type: Temps plein / Full-time

Category: Art & Design / Creative & Media

Date Posted: 2026-08-27

Experience Level: Mid-level (2-5 years inferred)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Develop and execute compelling visual designs that embody the GURU brand identity across all touchpoints, including retail, social media, e-commerce, sales tools, and brand activations.

• Serve as a guardian of brand consistency, ensuring all creative output is instantly recognizable as GURU.

• Collaborate with the Brand & Creative Director and broader creative team on brainstorming sessions and brand reviews.

• Adapt and localize creative campaigns for various formats, channels, and markets (Canada and US), in both French and English.

• Manage and maintain the brand's asset library and templates to ensure teams always work with the most up-to-date versions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role requires a strong understanding of brand guardianship and visual identity management, critical for maintaining a consistent brand presence across diverse marketing channels. The emphasis on adapting campaigns for both Canadian and US markets, and in both French and English, highlights the need for cultural and linguistic adaptability in design execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Create advertising materials for newsletters, magazines, and brochures.

• Design one-pagers and sales enablement tools to support the sales team's efforts.

• Develop icons and visuals to simplify complex information, enhancing clarity and engagement.

• Design mock-ups for in-store contests and Point of Sale (POS) materials to drive retail presence.

• Adapt existing campaign assets to suit different formats, markets (retail Canada and US), online channels, and social media platforms, ensuring brand integrity in all adaptations.

• Design presentations for internal and external stakeholders, conveying brand messaging effectively.

• Participate actively in creative brainstorms and brand review sessions, contributing innovative ideas.

• Apply and rigorously protect GURU's brand standards—including colors, typography, photography, and visual tone—across all internal creative production.

• Manage the central asset bank and templates, ensuring all teams have access to the latest, approved versions of creative materials.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities span a wide range of creative output, from foundational advertising and sales tools to dynamic in-store promotions and digital assets. The requirement to manage brand standards and asset libraries points to a need for organizational skills alongside creative talent, essential for a smooth and consistent brand execution process.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, or a related field is typically expected for this level of responsibility.

Experience: 2-5 years of professional graphic design experience, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment. Experience in CPG, beverage, or retail is a strong asset.

Required Skills:

• Mastery of the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• A robust portfolio showcasing a strong sensitivity for brand, typography, and layout design.

• Resourcefulness, autonomy, and creativity.

• Ability to execute quickly (2-3 days turnaround) and manage multiple projects concurrently.

• Bilingual proficiency in English and French (written and spoken), with strong design conceptualization in both languages.

• Comfort working with and evolving an existing brand guide. Preferred Skills:

• Experience or strong interest in photography and art direction.

• Experience creating animations and formats specifically for social media platforms.

• Experience within the consumer packaged goods (CPG), beverage, or retail sectors.

• Proficiency in Figma, Flora, or similar design and prototyping tools.

• Understanding of AI's role in creative processes and how to leverage it while maintaining human-centric design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Required Skills" emphasize core design competencies and bilingualism, crucial for GURU's dual-language markets. The "Preferred Skills" highlight areas that would allow the candidate to contribute more broadly, especially in content creation for digital channels and understanding emerging design technologies like AI.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated selection of design projects demonstrating a keen eye for brand identity and visual consistency.

• Examples showcasing expertise in typography, layout, and composition across various media (print, digital, social).

• Case studies or project breakdowns that illustrate conceptual thinking and problem-solving in design execution.

• Projects that highlight the ability to adapt designs for different channels and target audiences, with clear explanations of the strategic rationale.

• Evidence of managing design projects from concept to final delivery, including any iterations or feedback incorporated. Process Documentation:

• Showcase understanding of workflow management in a creative context, including project initiation, concept development, feedback integration, and final asset delivery.

• Demonstrate experience with version control for design assets and maintaining organized file structures, crucial for brand consistency.

• Ability to articulate the process behind adapting campaigns across multiple formats and markets, ensuring all elements align with core brand messaging.

• Examples of how brand guidelines were applied or evolved within a project, detailing the decision-making process.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is paramount for this role, serving as the primary evidence of design capability and brand sensitivity. The emphasis on process documentation indicates that GURU values not just the final output, but also the candidate's ability to work efficiently, maintain brand integrity, and manage creative workflows systematically.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the role's mid-level experience requirement, bilingualism, and location in Montreal, Quebec, a competitive salary range for a Graphic Designer is estimated to be between CAD $60,000 - $85,000 annually. This estimate considers typical compensation for creative roles in the Canadian beverage/CPG industry, factoring in the hybrid work model and the need for specialized skills.

Benefits:

• Hybrid work environment offering flexibility between office and remote work.

• Opportunities for professional growth and career advancement within a growing brand.

• A dynamic and collaborative company culture that values creativity, initiative, and good vibes.

• Exposure to a rapidly growing brand with visible impact across Canada and the US.

• Potential for involvement in diverse creative projects spanning retail, digital, and event activations.

Working Hours: Full-time position, typically around 40 hours per week. The hybrid model suggests a structured work week with flexibility in location.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on industry benchmarks for graphic designers in Montreal with 2-5 years of experience, considering the specific demands of a bilingual role within the CPG sector. The benefits highlight flexibility, growth, and a vibrant work environment, aligning with the company's culture.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Food & Beverage / Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG). GURU is a pioneer in the plant-based energy drink market, focusing on natural ingredients and a lifestyle brand identity. The company operates in a competitive but growing market, driven by consumer demand for healthier and more sustainable beverage options.

Company Size: GURU is described as a "small, nimble team" that is growing. This suggests a dynamic, fast-paced environment where individuals can have a significant impact and work closely with leadership. The company's certification by Great Place to Work Canada indicates a strong focus on employee well-being and positive work culture.

Founded: While the founding date isn't provided, GURU has established itself as a recognized brand in the energy drink sector, indicating a history of growth and market penetration.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer reports directly to the Brand & Creative Director.

• The creative team is described as "small and nimble," implying close collaboration and cross-functional interaction.

• The role requires collaboration with various internal teams, including marketing, sales, and potentially product development, to ensure consistent brand messaging. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Creativity: While creativity is paramount, the role involves adapting campaigns and designs based on market needs and brand guidelines, suggesting an approach that balances artistic vision with strategic objectives.

• Agile Execution: The emphasis on quick turnarounds (2-3 days) and managing multiple projects points to agile methodologies in creative production.

• Brand Stewardship: A core methodology is the rigorous application and protection of brand standards to ensure visual consistency across all platforms and markets.

Company Website: guruenergy.com

📝 Enhancement Note: GURU's culture appears to be entrepreneurial, fast-paced, and focused on authenticity and growth. The "small, nimble team" aspect means the Graphic Designer will likely have broad exposure and a direct impact on the brand's visual output. The "Great Place to Work" certification is a strong indicator of a positive and supportive work environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a mid-level Graphic Designer role. It requires a solid foundation of design skills and experience, with the ability to work independently and contribute conceptually. The role is crucial for executing the brand's visual strategy but is not typically considered a senior leadership or strategic operations role in the traditional sense. However, within a growing company, there's significant potential for career advancement.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports directly to the Brand & Creative Director. This provides a clear line of communication and mentorship, allowing for direct feedback and guidance on creative projects.

Operations Impact: While not a direct "operations" role in the revenue or sales operations sense, the Graphic Designer's work has a significant impact on how the brand is perceived and experienced by consumers. Effective visual communication drives brand awareness, customer engagement, and ultimately, sales. The designer's role in ensuring brand consistency across all touchpoints directly supports marketing and sales efforts, contributing to the overall GTM strategy.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Potential to specialize in areas like digital design, motion graphics, or art direction for photography and video, given the "bonus" skills mentioned.

• Brand Evolution: Opportunity to contribute to the evolution of GURU's visual identity as the brand grows and expands into new markets.

• Leadership Potential: As the team grows, there may be opportunities to mentor junior designers or lead specific creative initiatives.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Involvement in various projects across retail, e-commerce, and social media provides broad exposure to different aspects of brand building and marketing.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a strong platform for a graphic designer to grow within a dynamic brand. The emphasis on a "small, nimble team" and a growing company suggests that individuals who are proactive and skilled can carve out significant career paths, potentially moving into more senior creative or art direction roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid role, based out of the Montreal office. This indicates a blend of in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility.

Office Location(s): 7236 Rue Waverly, Montréal, Québec, H2R 0C2, Canada. This location in Montreal suggests a vibrant urban setting conducive to creative industries.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The Montreal office serves as a central point for team collaboration, brainstorming, and in-person meetings, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.

• Creative Tools: Access to standard creative software and likely a well-equipped design environment within the office. The mention of Figma and Flora suggests a modern digital toolset.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with the Brand & Creative Director and other members of the small, nimble creative team, facilitating knowledge sharing and feedback loops.

Work Schedule: Full-time, with a hybrid arrangement. This typically means a set number of days in the office and the remainder remote, allowing for focused individual work and collaborative team sessions. The fast-paced nature of the role implies a need for efficient time management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model in Montreal offers a balance between the structure and collaborative energy of an office environment and the flexibility of remote work, which is often appealing to creative professionals. The specific address provides a tangible location for potential candidates to research.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess technical skills, brand sensibility, and alignment with GURU's aesthetic.

• Creative Assessment: Likely a design challenge or a deep dive into portfolio pieces to evaluate conceptual thinking, problem-solving abilities, and execution quality. Candidates may be asked to present their work and articulate their design process.

• Team/Director Interview: Discussion with the Brand & Creative Director to assess cultural fit, communication style, and understanding of brand strategy. Questions will likely explore how the candidate approaches creative briefs, handles feedback, and collaborates within a team.

• Final Interview (Potentially): May involve meeting other key stakeholders to ensure broader team integration.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent your skills in typography, layout, brand identity, and conceptual design. Prioritize work that aligns with GURU's aesthetic or demonstrates adaptability.

• Showcase Brand Sensitivity: Highlight projects where you successfully worked within or evolved a brand system. Explain how you maintained consistency and applied brand guidelines.

• Detail Your Process: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your conceptual approach, the tools used, and the final outcome. If possible, show iterations or discuss challenges overcome.

• Highlight Bilingualism: If you have bilingual projects, present them prominently. If not, be ready to discuss your comfort and proficiency in designing for both English and French markets.

• Include "Bonus" Skills: If you have experience with photography, art direction, motion graphics, or social-first content, ensure these are visible in your portfolio or mentioned in your application.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand GURU's Brand: Thoroughly research GURU's current branding, marketing campaigns, and target audience. Identify what makes their visual identity unique.

• Anticipate Creative Briefs: Be prepared for a hypothetical design challenge that might involve creating assets for a specific campaign or channel (e.g., social media post, retail display concept).

• Focus on Conceptual Thinking: Demonstrate that you can go beyond execution and develop strong, relevant creative concepts.

• Practice Articulation: Be ready to clearly explain your design choices, rationale, and how your work aligns with GURU's brand and objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process will heavily rely on the portfolio. Candidates should tailor their submissions to showcase relevant skills and a strong understanding of brand-driven design. Preparation for a creative challenge and clear articulation of design thinking will be key differentiators.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for a wide range of design tasks, from image editing and vector graphics to layout and print production.

• Figma/Flora: Modern design and prototyping tools, increasingly important for collaborative workflows, UI design, and digital asset creation. Their inclusion suggests a forward-thinking approach to design technology.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a direct responsibility, an understanding of how design impacts engagement metrics on social media, e-commerce, and in retail would be beneficial. Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, social media insights) can inform design decisions. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the Graphic Designer role, but awareness of how marketing automation platforms deliver content (e.g., email newsletters) and how sales tools are utilized would provide context for asset creation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Adobe Creative Suite is standard, but the inclusion of Figma/Flora indicates a need for proficiency in collaborative, modern design tools. Designers should be prepared to demonstrate their ability to use these tools effectively for both individual projects and team-based workflows.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Authenticity: GURU values real and authentic individuals, encouraging team members to be themselves and work on things they truly believe in. This translates to genuine creative expression and honest collaboration.

• Growth & Adaptability: The company is growing, and the culture embraces adaptability. The "A GURU adapts to any kind of situation" mindset is key, meaning embracing change and new challenges.

• Proactivity & Drive: A strong work ethic is valued. "The GURU Family walks together!" and "A GURU goes the Extra Mile" highlight a culture of shared effort, commitment, and a willingness to put in the necessary work to achieve goals.

• Results-Oriented: "A GURU gets Sh*t done" emphasizes a focus on tangible outcomes and efficient execution.

• Boldness & Positivity: "A GURU is Bold and Gold" and "Show must go ON!" point to a culture that encourages taking initiative, being courageous in creative endeavors, and maintaining a positive attitude, even under pressure.

Collaboration Style:

• Collaborative & Supportive: The "GURU Family" walks together, suggesting a supportive and team-oriented approach where members help each other achieve common goals.

• Fast-Paced & Nimble: The "small, nimble team" implies rapid communication, quick decision-making, and a dynamic workflow.

• Creative Exchange: Participation in brainstorms and brand reviews indicates an open environment for sharing ideas, receiving feedback, and co-creating.

📝 Enhancement Note: GURU's culture is built around core values that foster a high-energy, authentic, and results-driven environment. The ideal candidate will be someone who thrives in a fast-paced setting, embraces challenges, and contributes positively to a collaborative team dynamic.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Innovation: Maintaining GURU's established visual identity while continuously creating fresh, engaging content for diverse platforms requires a delicate balance.

• Fast-Paced Execution: The expectation for quick turnarounds (2-3 days) and managing multiple projects simultaneously can be demanding, requiring excellent time management and prioritization skills.

• Adapting to Market Nuances: Creating designs that resonate across different markets (Canada/US) and channels (retail, social, e-commerce) while maintaining a unified brand voice.

• Evolving Creative Landscape: Keeping up with design trends, new technologies (like AI), and platform-specific best practices to ensure GURU's visuals remain modern and impactful.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific design areas such as motion graphics, digital illustration, or art direction through project work and potentially external training.

• Brand Strategy Involvement: Gaining deeper insight into brand strategy and marketing objectives by working closely with the Brand & Creative Director.

• Cross-Functional Learning: Exposure to e-commerce, retail merchandising, and social media marketing strategies through the creation of assets for these channels.

• Career Progression: Potential to move into more senior design roles, art direction, or lead creative projects as the company and team expand.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a growing brand in the CPG sector, offering significant opportunities for a designer to develop advanced skills in brand management, rapid execution, and multi-channel creative strategy.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to adapt a campaign for different markets or channels. What were the key considerations, and how did you ensure brand consistency?" (Assesses adaptability and brand guardianship.)

• "How do you approach translating a brand's personality and values into visual design elements?" (Evaluates conceptual thinking and brand understanding.)

• "Walk us through a project in your portfolio that you're particularly proud of. What was the brief, your process, and the outcome?" (Tests communication of design process and results.)

• "How do you manage multiple design projects with tight deadlines? Describe your prioritization and time management strategies." (Assesses organizational skills and ability to perform under pressure.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about GURU's brand and its position in the energy drink market?" (Tests research and genuine interest.)

• "How do you embody GURU's values of authenticity, adaptability, and a results-driven mindset in your work?" (Assesses cultural fit.)

• "Describe your ideal team environment and how you contribute to a positive, collaborative culture." (Evaluates teamwork and communication style.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling is Key: Don't just show images; tell the story behind each piece. Explain the problem, your solution, and the impact.

• Highlight Brand Alignment: For each relevant project, explicitly state how it aligns with or demonstrates skills applicable to GURU's brand identity.

• Showcase Versatility: Present a range of work that demonstrates your ability to design for different mediums (print, digital, social) and purposes (advertising, sales tools, branding).

• Be Ready for Live Critiques: Some interviews may involve live design exercises or critiques of existing GURU materials. Be prepared to offer constructive feedback and creative solutions.

• Emphasize Bilingual Capabilities: If applicable, highlight projects or discuss your experience designing in both French and English.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not only design skills but also strategic thinking, brand understanding, and cultural fit. The ability to articulate one's process and the rationale behind design choices will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your resume and a link to your online portfolio (or PDF) via the application portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features work that demonstrates your skills in typography, layout, brand identity, and conceptual design, ideally with examples relevant to CPG, beverage, or lifestyle brands.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience with Adobe Creative Suite, bilingual capabilities, and any experience in fast-paced or agile environments. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and how your work aligns with GURU's brand values. Prepare to discuss your portfolio and any potential creative challenges.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research GURU's brand, mission, current marketing campaigns, and company culture. Understand their unique selling propositions and target audience.

⚠️ 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.

---