GRAPHIC DESIGNER

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Compass Group (Canteen)

Location: Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: June 02, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in-office, 1 day remote)

🚀 Role Summary

• Execute high-quality graphic design across print and digital platforms to support diverse brands and business initiatives.

• Develop visually compelling consumer-facing retail signage, point-of-sale materials, and environmental graphics.

• Prepare production-ready files for commercial printing and ensure strict adherence to vendor specifications and brand integrity.

• Create and manage templates and workflows to facilitate local customization while maintaining brand consistency.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support product launches, promotions, and business development materials.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically for Canteen, a division of Compass Group, focusing on workplace break time solutions. The graphic design responsibilities are broad, encompassing marketing, retail, and corporate branding needs within the foodservice and hospitality sector.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce a wide range of marketing collateral, including promotional campaigns, presentations, signage, brochures, email graphics, social media assets, and web content.

• Support Canteen, National Accounts, Dining Concepts, and sub-brands through innovative marketing and brand initiatives.

• Create impactful consumer-facing retail signage, point-of-sale (POS) materials, and environmental graphics that align with brand guidelines.

• Prepare and optimize production-ready files for commercial printing, ensuring all deliverables meet vendor specifications for quality and accuracy.

• Develop and implement standardized templates and workflows to enable efficient local customization while safeguarding brand integrity across all touchpoints.

• Assist in the conceptualization and execution of materials for product launches, seasonal promotions, new concept rollouts, and business development pitches.

• Maintain and organize a comprehensive library of creative assets, templates, photography, and brand resources for easy access and retrieval.

• Juggle multiple design projects concurrently, ensuring timely delivery without compromising the quality or strategic intent of the creative output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "scrappy" environments and supporting "hundreds of locations" suggests a need for efficiency, adaptability, and a strong understanding of scalable design solutions within a large organization.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is preferred. Exceptional portfolios will be considered in lieu of a degree.

Experience: 2–5+ years of professional graphic design experience, ideally within an in-house creative team, agency, retail, foodservice, hospitality, or CPG environment.

Required Skills:

• Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud suite, specifically InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.

• Advanced proficiency in Figma for collaborative design and prototyping.

• Strong understanding of print production processes, including file preparation, knowledge of various substrates, and vendor management best practices.

• Solid grasp of fundamental design principles: typography, layout, visual hierarchy, color theory, and brand system application.

• Exceptional attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and consistency in all design deliverables.

• Robust organizational and project management skills to effectively handle multiple projects and deadlines.

• Proven ability to work independently, take initiative, and collaborate effectively within a team setting. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with photography, including retouching and basic editing.

• Familiarity with videography or motion graphics, including proficiency in Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects.

• Experience designing for digital signage, environmental graphics, or experiential marketing campaigns.

• Interest in or experience with AI-assisted creative workflows and tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for advanced proficiency in Figma, alongside Adobe Creative Cloud, indicates a modern design workflow that likely involves collaboration and potentially UI/UX considerations. Experience in retail, foodservice, or CPG environments is highly valued due to the nature of Canteen's business.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a diverse range of projects demonstrating expertise in print, digital, branding, and marketing design.

• Include examples of retail signage, point-of-sale materials, and environmental graphics to highlight relevant experience.

• Present case studies that illustrate problem-solving through design, detailing the challenge, your approach, and the successful outcome.

• Demonstrate proficiency in preparing production-ready files for various printing methods and substrates.

• Highlight your ability to create and maintain brand consistency across multiple applications and touchpoints. Process Documentation:

• Illustrate how you develop and manage design workflows, from initial concept to final production.

• Showcase examples of creating templates and systems that allow for efficient customization while maintaining brand integrity.

• Detail your approach to file management, asset organization, and version control for creative assets.

• Provide insights into your collaboration process with stakeholders, printers, and other team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this role, as explicitly stated in the job description. Candidates should prepare to showcase a breadth of work that reflects the diverse needs of Canteen's brands and business initiatives, with a particular emphasis on retail and environmental design.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $60,000 - $70,000 per year

Other Forms of Compensation: 10% annual bonus

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance.

• Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage.

• Disability Insurance.

• Retirement Plan.

• Paid Time Off (PTO).

• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state).

• Associate Shopping Program.

• Health and Wellness Programs.

• Discount Marketplace.

• Identity Theft Protection.

• Pet Insurance.

• Commuter Benefits.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).

• Paid Parental Leave.

• Personal Leave.

Working Hours: Standard 40-hour work week, with an expectation of 4 days in the office and 1 day remote.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a Graphic Designer role with 2-5 years of experience in the Charlotte, NC area. The inclusion of a 10% annual bonus and a comprehensive benefits package, including paid parental leave, makes this a strong offering.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Food & Beverage, Hospitality, Retail Services. Canteen specializes in providing food, beverage, and retail solutions for workplaces, including markets, office coffee, and unattended retail.

Company Size: Compass Group is a large, global organization. Canteen, as a division, operates on a significant scale within the US market, impacting hundreds of locations.

Founded: Compass Group was founded in 1960. Canteen has a long history in the vending and foodservice industry, now integrated into Compass Group's broader offerings.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of an in-house creative team.

• The role reports directly to the Creative Director.

• Collaboration is expected with various internal departments, including marketing, sales, operations, and potentially brand management teams for Canteen, National Accounts, Dining Concepts, and sub-brands. Methodology:

• Focus on bringing brands to life across print, digital, retail, and environmental touchpoints.

• Emphasis on design craftsmanship and seeing work implemented across numerous physical locations.

• A "fast-paced, often scrappy" environment suggests a need for agility, resourcefulness, and efficient execution.

• Development of scalable solutions that support local customization while maintaining brand integrity.

Company Website: https://www.compass-group.com/, https://www.canteen.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Working within a large corporation like Compass Group means opportunities to work on established brands and potentially influence brand direction. The "scrappy" descriptor hints at a dynamic environment where designers might wear multiple hats and need to be adaptable.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Graphic Designer, requiring 2-5 years of experience. It involves executing design projects with a degree of autonomy but within established brand guidelines and under the direction of a Creative Director.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports to the Creative Director, indicating a clear line of management and creative oversight.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts brand perception, customer engagement (both internal and external), and the effectiveness of marketing and sales initiatives. High-quality design is crucial for Canteen's retail presence, promotional efforts, and overall brand identity.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Develop deeper expertise in specific areas like retail design, environmental graphics, motion graphics, or AI-assisted design workflows.

• Leadership Potential: Progress to a Senior Graphic Designer or Art Director role, taking on more complex projects and potentially mentoring junior designers.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain experience working with different business units within Compass Group, broadening understanding of various operational needs and marketing strategies.

• Industry Trends: Stay abreast of design trends, technology advancements (like AI in creative workflows), and evolving consumer preferences within the foodservice and retail sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preferred skills list (motion graphics, AI interest, digital signage) suggests potential avenues for growth and specialization within the role or future opportunities. The hybrid work model also offers a degree of flexibility that can contribute to work-life balance, supporting sustained career engagement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a hybrid role, requiring 4 days of in-office work per week and offering 1 day of remote work. The office environment is likely collaborative, supporting team dynamics and in-person interactions necessary for creative projects.

Office Location(s): Charlotte, North Carolina (28217-4511).

Workspace Context:

• The role involves day-to-day creative execution within a team setting, necessitating collaboration and communication.

• Access to design software and technology (Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma) is essential.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with the Creative Director and other team members for feedback, brainstorming, and project alignment.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected, with the hybrid arrangement providing some flexibility. The emphasis on meeting deadlines in a "fast-paced" environment suggests that occasional extended hours might be necessary during peak periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The 4-day in-office requirement underscores the company's value for in-person collaboration and team synergy, particularly in creative roles where spontaneous ideation and feedback are beneficial.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and design aesthetic.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where candidates present their portfolio, discussing their process, design choices, and impact. Be prepared to elaborate on specific projects, especially those related to retail, print, and digital marketing within similar industries.

• Skills Assessment: Potential for a design challenge or exercise to evaluate practical application of design skills and problem-solving abilities.

• Behavioral/Situational Interviews: Questions to gauge collaboration style, ability to handle feedback, project management skills, and cultural fit within the creative team and Compass Group.

• Final Interview: Likely with the Creative Director and potentially other key stakeholders.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Effectively: Select 5-7 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize work that demonstrates your skills in print, digital, retail signage, and brand consistency.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the objective, your role, the creative process, the tools used, and the measurable outcome or impact. Use case study format.

• Highlight Versatility: Showcase your ability to adapt your design style and approach to different brands and project types within the foodservice, retail, or CPG sectors.

• Showcase Technical Skills: Include examples that clearly demonstrate your proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) and Figma, and your understanding of print production.

• Prepare for "Scrappy": Be ready to discuss how you've executed successful designs under constraints (time, budget, resources).

Challenge Preparation:

• If a design challenge is given, focus on understanding the brief thoroughly.

• Prioritize the most critical elements and ensure brand consistency.

• Manage your time effectively, allocating sufficient time for ideation, execution, and a brief explanation of your approach.

• Be prepared to present your solution and justify your design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job description explicitly mentions submitting portfolio samples or a link with the resume. This is a critical first step. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their process for creating templates and managing brand consistency across numerous locations.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Expert-level proficiency required in InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop. These are the core tools for most graphic design tasks, from layout and illustration to image manipulation.

• Figma: Expert-level proficiency required. This tool is crucial for collaborative design, prototyping, and potentially for creating design systems or templates that can be easily shared and iterated upon.

Analytics & Reporting: Not explicitly mentioned, but understanding how design impacts engagement metrics (e.g., click-through rates on digital assets, sales lift from signage) would be beneficial.

CRM & Automation: Not directly relevant to the design role, but understanding how marketing materials integrate with CRM or marketing automation platforms could be a plus.

Preferred Tools/Technologies:

• Adobe Premiere Pro / After Effects (for motion graphics/video editing).

• Familiarity with digital signage platforms and environmental graphic design principles.

• Interest in AI-assisted creative workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud and Figma is non-negotiable. The mention of potential interest in AI tools suggests the company is forward-thinking and may be exploring new creative technologies.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Growth: As highlighted by the company slogan "Growth. Opportunity. Excellence." and the emphasis on growing with Canteen.

• Opportunity: Providing a platform for employees to develop and advance their careers.

• Excellence: Striving for high quality in all aspects of work, from design execution to customer service.

• Collaboration: Working effectively within the creative team and across other departments to achieve shared goals.

• Brand Integrity: A strong commitment to maintaining and enhancing brand consistency across all touchpoints.

Collaboration Style:

• The role requires close collaboration with the Creative Director for guidance and approvals.

• Cross-functional teamwork with marketing, sales, and operations teams is essential for understanding project needs and ensuring alignment.

• A "fast-paced, often scrappy" environment implies a need for clear communication, adaptability, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes growth, opportunity, and excellence. For a designer, this likely translates to a supportive environment for skill development and a focus on delivering high-quality, impactful creative work that contributes to business objectives.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Local Customization: Developing design systems and templates that allow for effective local adaptation without compromising the overarching brand identity across hundreds of locations.

• Fast-Paced, Scrappy Environment: Managing a high volume of diverse design requests with potentially tight deadlines and limited resources, requiring efficiency and resourcefulness.

• Cross-Functional Communication: Effectively translating the needs and feedback from various departments (marketing, sales, operations) into compelling visual designs.

• Evolving Creative Technologies: Keeping pace with advancements in design software, AI tools, and digital/environmental design trends.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Software Skills: Deepening expertise in Adobe Creative Cloud and Figma, or learning new design tools.

• Specialized Design Areas: Developing skills in motion graphics, video editing, digital signage, or experiential design.

• Industry Knowledge: Gaining a deeper understanding of the foodservice, hospitality, and retail industries to inform design decisions.

• Project Management: Enhancing project management and workflow optimization skills within a creative context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "scrappy" nature of the environment, combined with the need to support numerous locations, presents a unique challenge for maintaining brand integrity while enabling customization. This offers a significant opportunity for a designer to hone their skills in systemic design and efficient execution.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Portfolio Walkthrough: Be prepared to discuss 3-5 key projects in detail. Focus on your process, design rationale, problem-solving, and the impact of your work. For example, "Describe a project where you had to balance brand consistency with local customization needs. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?"

• Design Philosophy: "How do you approach creating designs for a brand that operates across hundreds of physical locations?" or "What is your process for creating effective retail signage or environmental graphics?"

• Tool Proficiency: "Describe a complex design challenge you solved using Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop/Figma. What features did you leverage?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for Canteen and Compass Group?" Research their mission, values, and recent campaigns.

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your designs?"

• "Describe your experience working in a fast-paced or 'scrappy' environment. How do you prioritize and manage your workload?"

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across diverse applications?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type (print, digital, retail) or by case study.

• Visuals: Ensure high-resolution images and clear, concise descriptions. Use mockups to show designs in context (e.g., signage on a wall, graphics on a webpage).

• Narrative: Craft a compelling story for each project. Emphasize your role, problem-solving approach, and the results achieved.

• Relevance: Tailor your presentation to highlight experiences most relevant to Canteen's needs (retail, foodservice, corporate branding).

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be ready to discuss their experience with print production details, file preparation, and vendor management, as these are explicitly called out as important skills. Demonstrating an understanding of how design supports business objectives will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this graphic design position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Compass Group careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your submitted portfolio or link prominently features examples of print design, digital assets, retail signage, and environmental graphics. Tailor your selection to reflect the types of projects Canteen undertakes.

• Resume Optimization: Highlight your 2-5+ years of relevant experience, your proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud and Figma, and any experience in retail, foodservice, or CPG environments. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, preparing specific examples of how you've handled brand consistency, tackled design challenges in fast-paced settings, and collaborated with teams.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Canteen's services, target markets, and Compass Group's overall mission and values. Understand their brand aesthetic and marketing approach.

⚠️ 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.

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