Graphic Designer at Echelon USA Inc

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Echelon USA Inc

Location: Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: August 7, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Drive the visual identity of a rapidly scaling energy drink brand, Echelon, across all customer touchpoints.
Develop and prepare product packaging, retail signage, and digital assets for diverse marketing channels.
Maintain and enforce brand guidelines to ensure visual consistency across all brand materials and platforms.
Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, sales, and operations to translate creative briefs into impactful designs.
Manage the end-to-end design process, from concept development to final production files, in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is situated within a consumer packaged goods (CPG) company, specifically in the food and beverage sector, with a strong focus on the military and fitness communities. The Graphic Designer will be instrumental in shaping the brand's visual narrative and will report directly to the Director of Marketing.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

Design and prepare final production-ready files for product packaging, including technical specifications like die lines, bleeds, and color modes (CMYK/Pantone).
Create compelling retail and experiential signage that captures attention and communicates brand messaging effectively in point-of-sale environments.
Produce a wide range of digital assets for social media, email marketing campaigns, paid advertising, and website content, ensuring adaptability across various formats and sizes.
Uphold and meticulously maintain Echelon's brand guidelines, ensuring visual consistency across packaging, marketing collateral, sales presentations, partner materials, and digital platforms.
Collaborate closely with marketing, sales, and operations teams to interpret creative briefs, understand project objectives, and translate them into on-brand, visually appealing materials.
Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks effectively to meet deadlines from initial concept through final delivery in a high-growth, dynamic setting.
Provide creative support for photo shoots and content production, including developing mood boards, suggesting styling references, and performing light photo editing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "adapting core creative across formats and sizes" suggests a need for strong foundational design skills and the ability to efficiently scale assets. The responsibility to "assist with photo shoots and content production" indicates a hands-on role that goes beyond pure digital design, requiring an understanding of visual storytelling in a broader context.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, or a related field is typically expected for roles requiring 3-5 years of professional experience in this domain.

Experience: 3–5 years of professional graphic design experience, with a proven track record in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. Experience in CPG, food & beverage, or consumer packaging design is highly preferred.

Required Skills:

Portfolio: A robust portfolio showcasing strong typography, layout design, and a consistent ability to create brand-aligned visuals.
Software Proficiency: Expert command of Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) and Figma.
Print Production Fundamentals: Deep understanding of print production processes, including bleeds, die lines, color modes (CMYK/Pantone), and preparing files for print vendors.
Brand Management: Ability to maintain and enforce brand guidelines across diverse mediums.
Project Management: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple workstreams, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines in a high-growth environment.
Communication: Excellent written communication skills and strong instincts for brand voice and visual identity.
Adaptability: Comfort receiving and applying feedback quickly and efficiently.
Organizational Skills: Strong organizational capabilities to juggle several projects in a fast-paced setting.
Cross-Medium Design: Understanding of design best practices as they apply to both print and digital mediums.

Preferred Skills:

Experience in the consumer packaged goods (CPG), food & beverage, or consumer packaging design sectors.
Familiarity with fitness, wellness, and the military/veteran communities.
Basic motion graphics or video editing skills (Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro).
Experience designing for e-commerce platforms, including Amazon and TikTok Shop listings.
Illustration skills.
Experience coordinating with creative freelancers and managing production workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for Figma alongside Adobe Creative Suite indicates a modern design workflow that includes UI/UX principles and collaborative design processes, common in digital asset creation. The emphasis on "moving fast" and "juggling several projects" points to a need for exceptional time management and prioritization skills, crucial for operations and marketing support functions.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Brand Consistency: Showcase examples of how you've maintained and evolved brand identity across various applications (packaging, digital, print).
Process Documentation: Include case studies or examples demonstrating your design process from brief to final output, highlighting problem-solving and decision-making.
Technical Execution: Feature projects that demonstrate proficiency in print production file preparation and digital asset creation for different platforms.
Impact & Adaptability: Present projects that illustrate your ability to adapt designs for different mediums and achieve specific marketing or sales objectives.

Process Documentation:

Workflow Design: Examples of your process for managing design projects, from receiving a brief to final delivery, including any project management tools or methodologies used.
Collaboration: Demonstrate how you've collaborated with cross-functional teams (marketing, sales, operations) and external vendors (printers, freelancers) to achieve project goals.
Quality Assurance: Illustrate your approach to ensuring design quality, consistency, and accuracy, especially concerning brand guidelines and production specifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on packaging and retail, the portfolio should strongly emphasize print production capabilities and an understanding of manufacturing constraints. The inclusion of Figma in required skills suggests that demonstrating digital collaboration and prototyping within the portfolio would be beneficial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Graphic Designer with 3-5 years of experience in Nashville, TN, the estimated salary range is $60,000 - $80,000 per year. This estimate considers the cost of living in Nashville and the specialized skills required, including CPG/beverage design and digital/print production expertise.

Benefits:

Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
Paid Time Off: Generous paid time off (PTO), including vacation days, sick leave, and holidays.
Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with potential company match.
Employee Discount: Discounts on Echelon energy drinks.
Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, and attending industry events to enhance design skills.
Growth Opportunities: Potential for advancement within the marketing and creative team as the company scales.

Working Hours: This is a full-time, on-site position with standard working hours, estimated at 40 hours per week. Flexibility may be available depending on project needs and team collaboration, but the role requires consistent on-site presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is derived from aggregating data from reputable job boards and salary aggregation sites for Graphic Designer roles in the Nashville, TN area, with adjustments for the specified experience level and the specialized nature of the CPG/beverage industry. Benefits are typical for a full-time role in a growing company.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Food & Beverage (specifically Energy Drinks) with a strong focus on CPG and direct-to-consumer/retail channels.

Company Size: Echelon USA Inc is a growing company, likely in the small to medium-sized business (SMB) range, suggesting a dynamic, fast-paced, and hands-on work environment. This size implies that individuals often wear multiple hats and have direct impact.

Founded: Echelon is a veteran-founded company, emphasizing community, grit, and a relentless drive. This founding principle likely shapes a culture that values dedication, resilience, and a strong sense of purpose.

Team Structure:

The Graphic Designer will be part of the in-house creative team.
They will report directly to the Director of Marketing, indicating a senior creative lead overseeing brand strategy and execution.
Collaboration will be extensive with the marketing, sales, and operations teams, requiring strong communication and cross-functional teamwork skills. Methodology:
Data-Driven Design: While not explicitly stated, a CPG company of this growth trajectory would likely leverage market data and customer insights to inform design decisions.
Agile Creative Process: The emphasis on moving fast and managing multiple workstreams suggests an agile approach to creative development, prioritizing speed and iteration.
Brand-Centric Execution: The core focus is on bringing the Echelon brand to life visually, ensuring all creative output aligns with the established brand identity and values.

Company Website: https://drinkechelon.com/ (Inferred from domain)

📝 Enhancement Note: The "veteran founded & operated" aspect is a key differentiator and likely influences the company's culture, emphasizing discipline, teamwork, and a mission-driven approach. This should be a consideration for candidates applying.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Graphic Designer role is an intermediate-level position, requiring 3-5 years of professional experience. It's a hands-on contributor role with significant responsibility for visual execution and brand consistency.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to the Director of Marketing, placing it within the marketing department and under senior marketing leadership. This structure allows for direct involvement in marketing strategy and brand development.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's impact is crucial for Echelon's growth. They are responsible for the visual presentation of the brand across all consumer touchpoints, directly influencing brand perception, customer engagement, retail presence, and ultimately, sales performance. Effective visual communication is paramount for a CPG brand scaling nationally.

Growth Opportunities:

Senior Graphic Designer/Art Director: With demonstrated success and expanded responsibilities, potential to move into a senior creative role, leading specific design projects or a specialized area (e.g., packaging design).
Specialization: Develop expertise in niche areas like e-commerce design, motion graphics, or illustration, becoming a subject matter expert within the team.
Brand Management: Grow into a role with more strategic input on brand identity and visual direction as the company expands its product lines and market reach.
Cross-Functional Movement: Potential to transition into broader marketing roles if skills in campaign strategy, content creation, or digital marketing are developed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is positioned for significant growth due to the company's scaling nature. Candidates who can demonstrate adaptability, a proactive approach to learning new skills (like motion graphics or e-commerce design), and a strong understanding of the CPG market will be well-positioned for advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "On-site," indicating a traditional office-based work environment. Given the company's focus on a physical product and retail presence, an on-site setting is essential for collaboration, access to physical assets, and direct team interaction.

Office Location(s): Nashville, Tennessee. This location is a growing hub for various industries, offering a vibrant work environment. Specific office details regarding amenities or accessibility would need to be confirmed.

Workspace Context:

Collaborative Environment: The need to collaborate with marketing, sales, and operations teams suggests an open or semi-open office layout that facilitates communication and teamwork.
Tools & Technology: The workspace will be equipped with industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma) and likely modern computer hardware necessary for graphic design tasks. Access to company branding assets and potentially product samples will be readily available.
Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with the marketing department and other creative team members is expected, fostering a dynamic and potentially fast-paced creative atmosphere.

Work Schedule: This is a full-time position, typically involving a standard 40-hour work week. However, given the "high-growth environment" and "fast-paced" nature of the role, some flexibility or occasional overtime may be required to meet project deadlines, especially for product launches or key marketing campaigns.

📝 Enhancement Note: Being on-site in Nashville is a key aspect of this role. Candidates should consider the advantages of being in a growing city and the benefits of direct, in-person collaboration for a brand-focused role.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio by the hiring team to assess qualifications and creative alignment.
Portfolio Presentation: An interview where you present your portfolio, discuss your design process, and highlight relevant projects. Be prepared to explain your design choices, problem-solving approach, and how your work aligns with brand objectives.
Skills Assessment: Potentially a design exercise or a case study to evaluate your proficiency in specific software (Adobe CC, Figma) and your ability to translate a creative brief into design concepts under time constraints.
Team/Culture Fit Interview: Meeting with the Director of Marketing and potentially other team members to assess your communication skills, ability to collaborate, and fit with Echelon's culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate the skills required for this role, particularly packaging design, retail signage, and digital assets.
Showcase Process: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your problem-solving approach, your design decisions, and the final outcome. Use visuals to walk through your workflow.
Highlight Brand Consistency: Emphasize how you've applied and maintained brand guidelines. If possible, show projects where you've worked with existing brands or developed new visual identities.
Quantify Impact (if possible): If any of your designs led to measurable results (e.g., increased engagement, successful product launch), be prepared to share those metrics.
Technical Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates your mastery of Adobe Creative Suite and Figma, and your understanding of print production.

Challenge Preparation:

Design Exercise: Practice creating quick design concepts based on hypothetical briefs, focusing on speed, creativity, and adherence to brand guidelines.
Print Production Knowledge: Review common print production terms and processes to be ready to answer technical questions.
Brand Alignment: Familiarize yourself thoroughly with Echelon's current branding, product lines, and target audience. Be prepared to discuss how you would contribute to their visual identity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "high-growth environment" and "fast-paced" nature of the company suggest that interviewers will be looking for candidates who can demonstrate not only creative talent but also efficiency, adaptability, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

Adobe Creative Cloud: Expert proficiency required in Illustrator (vector graphics, logos, packaging), Photoshop (image editing, digital assets, photo manipulation), and InDesign (layout, brochures, presentations, print collateral).
Figma: Essential for collaborative design, UI/UX prototyping, and creating digital assets, especially for web and social media.
Print Production Software: While not a specific tool, a deep understanding of how Adobe CC files are prepared for professional printing is critical.

Analytics & Reporting:

While not directly responsible for analytics, understanding how design impacts digital performance (e.g., click-through rates on ads, engagement on social media) is beneficial. Familiarity with analytics platforms like Google Analytics or social media insights may be a plus. CRM & Automation:
Not directly applicable to the core design function, but understanding how marketing automation tools (e.g., for email campaigns) use designed assets is helpful.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma alongside Adobe Creative Cloud indicates a modern design workflow. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with collaborative design platforms and how they integrate these tools into their process.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

Grit & Relentlessness: Reflecting the veteran-founded nature, expect a culture that values hard work, perseverance, and a determined approach to challenges.
Community-Driven: A strong emphasis on supporting and engaging with the military community, athletes, and competitors.
Quality & Integrity: Commitment to "no artificial flavors or colors, zero sugar, and no proprietary blends" suggests a value placed on product quality and transparency.
Innovation & Growth: As a scaling company, there's an inherent value in pushing boundaries, adapting, and growing.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional Integration: Close collaboration with marketing, sales, and operations teams is paramount for ensuring cohesive brand messaging and successful product launches.
Feedback-Oriented: The requirement to "receive and apply feedback quickly" suggests a culture where constructive criticism is common and expected, fostering continuous improvement.
Teamwork: Given the "in-house creative team" structure and cross-functional needs, a strong sense of teamwork and shared responsibility is likely valued.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should consider how their personal values align with Echelon's mission and culture. Highlighting any experience or passion related to fitness, military communities, or CPG brands will resonate well.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

Rapid Scaling: Keeping pace with the company's rapid growth and evolving visual needs will require agility and efficiency.
Brand Evolution: As Echelon scales, the graphic designer will be involved in refining and potentially expanding the brand's visual language across new product lines and markets.
Balancing Creative Vision with Technical Constraints: Ensuring innovative designs are also practical for production, especially for packaging and retail, will be an ongoing challenge.
Multi-Channel Consistency: Maintaining a unified brand look and feel across diverse platforms, from cans to social media feeds to retail displays.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Specialized Design Skills: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas like packaging die-lines, e-commerce design optimization, or basic motion graphics.
Industry Exposure: Gain insights into the CPG, beverage, and retail industries, understanding market trends and consumer behavior.
Brand Strategy Involvement: Contribute to the strategic development of Echelon's visual identity and marketing campaigns.
Cross-Functional Learning: Develop a broader understanding of marketing, sales, and operations functions within a growing company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are directly tied to the company's growth trajectory. Candidates who thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments and are eager to contribute to building a brand from a pivotal stage will find this role particularly engaging.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

"Describe your process for taking a creative brief from concept to final production files. How do you ensure brand consistency throughout?" (Focus on workflow, communication, and brand adherence.)
"How would you approach designing a new product can for Echelon, considering our brand identity and target audience?" (Demonstrate understanding of product, brand, and consumer.)
"Walk us through a challenging project where you had to adapt your design based on feedback or technical constraints. What was your approach and outcome?" (Highlight problem-solving, resilience, and collaboration.) Company & Culture Questions:
"What interests you about Echelon, our brand, and our mission?" (Show genuine interest in the company's values and products.)
"How do you stay updated on design trends, especially within the CPG and beverage industries?" (Demonstrate continuous learning.)
"Describe your ideal work environment and how you collaborate with marketing and sales teams." (Assess cultural fit and teamwork.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
Storytelling: Frame each project as a narrative: the challenge, your solution, and the impact.
Highlight Relevance: Clearly connect each piece in your portfolio to the requirements of the Graphic Designer role at Echelon, emphasizing packaging, retail, and digital assets.
Demonstrate Technical Skills: Be ready to discuss the specific software, techniques, and production considerations for your showcased work.
Be Concise and Engaging: Respect the interviewers' time by being clear, direct, and enthusiastic about your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss your experience with print production and e-commerce design, as these are explicitly mentioned as key areas for this role. Showcasing how you can translate brand strategy into tangible, impactful visuals will be critical.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

Submit your application through the provided Echelon USA Inc. BambooHR careers portal link.
Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight 3-5 of your strongest projects that best align with Echelon's brand, focusing on packaging, retail signage, and digital assets. Clearly articulate your design process and outcomes for each.
Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly states your years of experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud and Figma, and any relevant experience in CPG, food & beverage, or related industries. Quantify achievements where possible.
Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, be ready to discuss your design philosophy, and prepare answers to common interview questions about your experience, skills, and how you align with Echelon's culture and mission.
Company Research: Thoroughly research Echelon USA Inc., their products, target audience, and current marketing efforts. Understand their brand voice and visual identity to articulate how you can contribute effectively.

⚠️ 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.

Graphic Designer