Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Ashcroft Inc.

Location: Stratford, Connecticut, USA

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing & Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-05

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Develops high-quality visual assets for digital and print channels to support Ashcroft's brand, product promotion, sales enablement, content marketing, lead generation, and corporate communications.

• Translates technical information into clear, compelling, and brand-consistent creative solutions that drive customer engagement and business growth.

• Collaborates cross-functionally with marketing, product management, sales, operations, and HR to execute creative projects from concept through production.

• Applies strong design expertise and production discipline to ensure all creative initiatives align with established brand standards, content strategies, and marketing priorities.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a broader operational framework, emphasizing the integration of design output with core business functions like sales enablement, product marketing, and corporate communications. The emphasis on translating technical information and maintaining brand consistency highlights a need for meticulous process adherence and a strategic understanding of how design impacts overall business objectives, aligning it closely with GTM operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Create high-quality visual assets for marketing campaigns, sales enablement materials, product promotion, content marketing, trade shows, events, and corporate communications.

• Design and maintain product brochures, datasheets, manuals, catalogs, presentations, sales tools, and technical illustrations.

• Develop graphics and creative assets for websites, landing pages, email campaigns, social media, digital advertising, webinars, and other digital marketing initiatives.

• Manage assigned creative projects from concept to final delivery, ensuring alignment with established content and brand strategies.

• Coordinate product and corporate photography needs, perform image editing, retouching, asset preparation, and digital asset management.

• Prepare production-ready artwork and coordinate with external printers, agencies, and production vendors, reviewing proofs for quality and accuracy.

• Support ongoing maintenance and enhancement of brand standards, templates, and creative resources, identifying opportunities for workflow improvement.

• Continuously develop expertise in graphic design, production techniques, digital marketing, accessibility, AI-enabled creative tools, and emerging technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a need for robust project management and workflow optimization skills. The expectation to "translate technical information into visually compelling customer-focused communications" and "ensure consistent application of Ashcroft brand standards across all creative materials" points towards a structured approach to creative development, akin to operational processes. The mention of "balancing priorities through the established marketing workflow process" further reinforces this.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Marketing, Communications, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Experience: 3-5 years of graphic design and creative production experience in an in-house marketing, manufacturing, B2B, or agency environment.

Required Skills:

• Strong understanding of design principles including typography, layout, composition, visual hierarchy, and color theory.

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, specifically InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.

• Experience creating both print and digital marketing materials.

• Ability to transform complex technical information into clear and visually engaging customer-facing communications.

• Experience supporting product marketing, sales enablement, content marketing, and brand initiatives.

• Familiarity with website, email, social media, and digital marketing design requirements.

• Strong print production knowledge with the ability to prepare production-ready files and oversee the print production process.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.

• Strong organizational and project management skills.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders across multiple business functions.

• Commitment to maintaining brand consistency and design quality standards.

• Curiosity and willingness to continuously learn new design technologies, AI tools, creative workflows, and marketing trends. Preferred Skills:

• Experience overseeing photo shoots.

• Experience with digital asset management systems.

• Understanding of accessibility standards for digital content.

• Familiarity with AI-enabled creative tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "transforming complex technical information into clear and visually engaging customer-facing communications" implies a need for strong analytical and problem-solving skills, crucial in operations. The emphasis on "collaboration across multiple business functions" and "translating diverse business needs into clear, visually compelling... creative solutions" highlights the importance of stakeholder management and clear communication protocols, common in operations roles.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a range of projects demonstrating proficiency in both print and digital design, with a focus on B2B marketing collateral.

• Include examples of how complex technical information was translated into accessible and visually appealing designs.

• Present case studies that highlight successful collaboration with stakeholders across different departments (e.g., marketing, sales, product).

• Demonstrate an understanding of brand stewardship, showing how brand standards were consistently applied and enhanced.

• Include examples of print production files and explain the process of preparing them for vendors. Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your personal workflow for managing projects from initial brief to final delivery, including time management and prioritization strategies.

• Articulate your approach to collaborating with cross-functional teams, including how you gather requirements, incorporate feedback, and manage revisions.

• Explain your process for ensuring brand consistency and quality control across all creative outputs.

• Detail your experience with print production workflows, including vendor communication and proofing processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The expectation for a portfolio that demonstrates the ability to "transform complex technical information" and "collaborate effectively with stakeholders across multiple business functions" suggests a need to highlight process-driven project execution. The emphasis on print production workflows and brand stewardship implies a structured approach to creative output management, which is a core component of operational efficiency in marketing departments.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Graphic Designer with 3-5 years of experience in Stratford, Connecticut, the estimated salary range is $60,000 - $80,000 annually. This estimate accounts for the cost of living in the region and the typical compensation for roles requiring proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud and B2B marketing collateral creation.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement savings plan with company match (e.g., 401(k)).

• Paid time off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning in design technologies and marketing trends.

• Potential for employee engagement programs and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Working Hours: Standard full-time work week, approximately 40 hours per week. The role is on-site, requiring consistent presence during core business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on general market data for Graphic Designers in the specified region and experience level. Actual compensation may vary based on individual qualifications, interview performance, and Ashcroft Inc.'s specific compensation structure. The benefits listed are typical for a full-time position at a company of this size and industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Ashcroft Inc. operates within the manufacturing sector, likely specializing in industrial instrumentation or related fields, given the mention of "technical information" and "product marketing" in the job description. This industry context suggests a need for design that is both aesthetically professional and technically accurate.

Company Size: Ashcroft Inc. is likely a medium to large enterprise, given the structured workflow processes mentioned and the need for cross-functional collaboration across departments like Marketing, Operations, HR, and IT.

Founded: While not specified, the company's focus on established brand standards and potentially legacy product lines suggests a company with a history and a commitment to long-term brand integrity.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the Marketing department, reporting to a Marketing Manager or Senior Content Manager.

• Collaboration will be frequent with other marketing specialists (e.g., Content Manager, Video Content Specialist, Lead Generation Manager, Operations & Analytics Manager).

• Close partnerships will be maintained with Product Management, Sales, Human Resources, Lean, IT, and other operational departments. Methodology:

• Creative initiatives are driven by established brand standards, content strategies, and marketing priorities.

• Project execution follows an established marketing workflow process, involving prioritization and stakeholder alignment.

• A data-driven approach is implied through collaboration with the Marketing Manager – Operations & Analytics.

• Continuous learning and adoption of new technologies, including AI-enabled creative tools, are encouraged.

Company Website: https://www.ashcroft.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's industry (manufacturing) and the role's emphasis on technical communication and product marketing suggest a culture that values precision, clarity, and professionalism. The need to collaborate across various departments, including "Operations" and "Lean," indicates an environment where process and efficiency are important.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a Mid-Level Graphic Designer position. It requires significant practical experience (3-5 years) and the ability to work independently on assigned projects while also being a collaborative team member. The scope includes executing creative projects and contributing recommendations, indicating a level of autonomy and creative input beyond basic task execution.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports into the Marketing department, likely to a Marketing Manager or Senior Content Manager. This structure places the role within the broader marketing and Go-To-Market (GTM) operations framework.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts lead generation, sales enablement, brand perception, and customer engagement by creating compelling visual assets that communicate technical product information effectively. Their contributions are integral to the success of marketing campaigns and corporate communications, thereby influencing overall business growth and operational efficiency in customer outreach.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like digital marketing design, technical illustration, or AI-driven creative tools.

• Project Leadership: Potential to lead creative aspects of larger marketing campaigns or product launches.

• Brand Stewardship: Grow into a role with greater responsibility for maintaining and evolving brand guidelines.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain deeper understanding of other operational areas (Sales, Product, Operations) through ongoing collaboration, potentially leading to broader GTM strategy involvement.

• Process Improvement: Contribute to refining creative workflows and asset management processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are framed within the context of operations and GTM, emphasizing how design skills can evolve to impact broader business strategies and operational efficiencies. The role is positioned as a critical component of the marketing operations engine.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site position, indicating a traditional office environment where in-person collaboration is expected and valued.

Office Location(s): Stratford, Connecticut, USA. This location provides access to a regional talent pool and places the employee within a specific economic and social context.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace likely supports collaborative efforts, with opportunities for direct interaction with marketing team members and stakeholders from other departments.

• Access to necessary design software and hardware (Adobe Creative Cloud, etc.) is expected.

• The environment may be conducive to focused individual work necessary for design tasks, balanced with team meetings and reviews.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected, typical for full-time on-site roles. While core hours are expected, there might be flexibility for project deadlines, provided overall productivity and collaboration needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is a key differentiator, suggesting a preference for in-person collaboration and team integration, which can be beneficial for design roles that thrive on immediate feedback and shared creative processes within a structured operational setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Application review, focusing on resume and portfolio for relevant experience and skills.

• Skills Assessment: Potential for a practical design exercise or a portfolio review session with the hiring manager and/or senior design/marketing team members. This will assess technical proficiency and creative problem-solving.

• Cross-Functional Interview: Interviews with stakeholders from departments like Product Management, Sales, or Operations to evaluate collaboration and communication skills.

• Final Interview: Discussion with senior marketing leadership to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and alignment with company values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize those showcasing B2B, technical communication, and integrated marketing campaign experience.

• Highlight Process: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the design process, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and quantifiable results (if possible). Emphasize how you translated complex information.

• Showcase Versatility: Include a mix of print and digital assets. Demonstrate proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud applications.

• Brand Consistency: Ensure your portfolio reflects an understanding of brand guidelines and how to maintain them, even when proposing new creative directions.

• Technical Accuracy: If possible, include examples of technical illustrations or datasheets where accuracy was paramount.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss how you would approach designing a specific marketing collateral piece (e.g., a datasheet for a new product, a banner ad for a trade show).

• Prepare to explain your workflow for managing multiple competing priorities from different departments.

• Think about how you would collaborate with a non-designer (e.g., an engineer or salesperson) to ensure accurate and effective visual communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on transforming technical information and collaborating across departments suggests that interviewers will look for candidates who can not only design but also understand and execute within an operational framework. The portfolio review will be critical for demonstrating these capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Advanced proficiency is a core requirement. This includes:

  • InDesign: For layout and print production of brochures, datasheets, catalogs, and manuals.
  • Illustrator: For creating vector graphics, technical illustrations, logos, and icons.
  • Photoshop: For image editing, retouching, and preparing digital assets.

• Digital Asset Management (DAM) System: Experience with organizing and managing creative files and image libraries.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary tool for the designer, familiarity with how design impacts digital marketing analytics (website traffic, conversion rates, email engagement) is beneficial, given collaboration with the Marketing Manager – Operations & Analytics. CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM or automation tool requirement for this role, but understanding how design assets integrate into marketing automation platforms or CRM-driven campaigns is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Adobe Creative Cloud applications (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) is critical. The need for "digital asset management activities" suggests familiarity with tools that support organized storage and retrieval of creative assets, which is a key operational aspect of marketing departments.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Brand Stewardship: A strong commitment to maintaining and enhancing Ashcroft's visual identity and brand consistency across all communications.

• Accuracy & Clarity: Valuing the precise and clear communication of technical information through design.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Fostering strong working relationships with internal stakeholders across various departments to achieve shared business objectives.

• Efficiency & Process Orientation: Embracing established workflows and seeking opportunities to improve creative processes and asset management for greater efficiency.

• Continuous Learning: Demonstrating curiosity and a proactive approach to learning new design technologies, AI tools, and marketing trends.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Working closely with marketing, product management, sales, HR, and operations to understand diverse needs and deliver effective visual solutions.

• Feedback-Driven Improvement: Actively participating in creative reviews and incorporating stakeholder feedback while championing design integrity.

• Proactive Communication: Maintaining open lines of communication to manage expectations, align on project goals, and ensure timely delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "operational efficiency," "process orientation," and "collaboration across departments" suggests a culture that values systematic approaches and teamwork, aligning well with the broader operational objectives of the company.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Technical Complexity: Effectively simplifying intricate technical product details into easily understandable and visually appealing designs for diverse audiences.

• Balancing Multiple Stakeholder Needs: Managing competing requests and feedback from various departments (Sales, Product, HR, etc.) while maintaining brand consistency and creative integrity.

• Keeping Pace with Technology: Continuously learning and integrating new AI-enabled creative tools and digital marketing trends into design workflows.

• Print Production Management: Navigating the complexities of print vendor coordination, proofing, and ensuring cost-effective, high-quality output.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software Training: Opportunities to master new features or specialized applications within Adobe Creative Cloud or explore complementary design tools.

• Digital Marketing & UX/UI Courses: Learning about current best practices in web design, email marketing, social media graphics, and user experience to enhance digital asset effectiveness.

• AI in Creative Tools Workshops: Exploring and adopting AI-powered design tools to boost efficiency and creativity.

• Industry Conferences & Webinars: Attending events focused on graphic design, B2B marketing, and manufacturing industry trends.

• Mentorship: Potential to learn from senior marketing or design professionals within Ashcroft Inc.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for strong problem-solving skills and adaptability, which are crucial in dynamic operational environments. The growth opportunities are geared towards enhancing both design expertise and understanding of GTM operational strategies.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate highly technical product information into a visual asset. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your methodical approach and ability to simplify complexity.)

• "How do you prioritize design requests when you have multiple stakeholders with competing deadlines and priorities?" (Highlight your project management and communication strategies.)

• "Imagine we're launching a new industrial sensor. What would be your initial steps in designing the key marketing collateral for it?" (Demonstrate your understanding of product marketing workflows and design thinking.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Ashcroft Inc. and our industry? How would you ensure your designs align with our brand and target audience?" (Showcase your research and understanding of B2B manufacturing.)

• "How do you approach receiving and incorporating feedback on your designs, especially from non-designers?" (Emphasize your collaborative and receptive attitude.)

• "How do you stay current with design trends and new creative technologies, like AI tools?" (Highlight your commitment to continuous learning.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each project, walk the interviewer through the "why" and "how." Explain the business objective, your creative process, challenges, and the results.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, improved clarity, successful lead generation).

• Highlight Technical Translation: Specifically point out projects where you successfully simplified complex information.

• Showcase Collaboration: Mention how you worked with different teams to achieve project goals.

• Be Ready for Live Exercises: Some companies may present a quick design challenge; be prepared to articulate your approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a candidate who can demonstrate not just creative talent but also an understanding of how design supports broader business operations, product strategies, and GTM initiatives. Your ability to articulate your process and collaboration methods will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Ultipro recruiting portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight keywords from the job description, such as "Adobe Creative Cloud," "Print Production," "Technical Illustration," "Sales Enablement," and "Brand Standards." Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Designed 50+ datasheets," "Contributed to campaigns that increased lead generation by X%").

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select projects that best showcase your ability to translate technical information, create B2B marketing collateral, and collaborate cross-functionally. Ensure clear descriptions for each project highlighting your process and results.

• Prepare for an Operations-Focused Interview: Be ready to discuss your project management workflow, how you handle stakeholder feedback, and your experience with print production and digital asset management. Research Ashcroft Inc.'s products and industry to demonstrate understanding.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse walking through your portfolio, focusing on telling compelling stories about your design process and impact.

⚠️ 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.