Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Farm Boy Inc.

Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design

Date Posted: 2026-05-25T17:29:40.14

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is a senior position focused on leading and executing creative production and design initiatives within a retail environment, ensuring brand consistency across all channels.

• Responsibilities include developing, adapting, and preparing creative assets for both print and digital platforms to support marketing campaigns, promotions, and store signage.

• Requires close collaboration with internal marketing, content, and design teams, as well as external vendors, to ensure timely and effective project execution.

• The position demands strong project management skills to handle multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced setting while maintaining high accuracy and quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is fundamentally a production-focused graphic design position with a strong emphasis on brand adherence and operational efficiency within a retail context. The "senior" title suggests a need for independent work, problem-solving, and potentially mentoring junior team members, though direct management is not explicitly stated.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop, execute, and adapt creative assets for print and digital platforms to support marketing campaigns, promotions, store signage, presentations, and other brand initiatives.

• Prepare accurate print-ready and digital-ready files, ensuring strict compliance with brand standards, production specifications, and quality expectations.

• Resize, version, localize, and update existing creative assets for various formats, channels, and target audiences.

• Collaborate effectively with marketing, content, and creative teams, as well as external vendors and partners, to ensure projects and campaigns are executed on time and to a high standard.

• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks, meeting deadlines, and maintaining a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail in all deliverables.

• Conduct thorough quality assurance reviews of layouts, typography, imagery, file setup, and final outputs to guarantee consistency and production accuracy.

• Contribute to concept development, creative exploration, and brainstorming sessions by offering innovative and practical design solutions.

• Create original layouts and visual designs that align with Farm Boy's branding, marketing objectives, and overall customer experience initiatives.

• Organize and maintain production files, templates, and digital asset libraries to enhance workflow efficiency and ensure consistency.

• Balance creative design requirements with production constraints, operational efficiencies, and project timelines.

• Provide on-site operational support for new store openings and store launch events, which may involve last-minute design adjustments or setup.

• Take on additional related responsibilities as needed to contribute to overall team success and departmental goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The inclusion of "On-site operational support for new store openings and store launch events" indicates a hands-on requirement that may extend beyond typical desk-based design work, potentially involving on-site setup or quick adjustments.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Post-secondary education in Graphic Design or a related field.

Experience: Minimum of 7 years of professional graphic design experience, with a significant portion dedicated to production design, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Skills:

• Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, with a strong emphasis on InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator.

• Deep understanding of print production processes, including prepress, file preparation, color management, and digital asset specifications.

• Proven experience working within established brand guidelines and managing high-volume creative asset production.

• Strong typography, layout, composition, and visual communication skills applicable to both print and digital platforms.

• Exceptional organizational, time management, and project coordination capabilities with a meticulous attention to detail.

• Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment while ensuring accuracy and quality.

• Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to receive and implement feedback efficiently.

• A portfolio demonstrating strong creative design capabilities and practical production execution experience.

• Comfort working in an office environment involving extended sitting, repetitive tasks, potential eye strain from computer use, and typical open-office noise and interruptions. Preferred Skills:

• Fluency in French language skills.

• Experience with digital asset management (DAM) systems.

• Familiarity with project management software.

• Basic understanding of HTML/CSS for digital asset adaptation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "significant experience in production design" alongside general graphic design experience highlights the operational and execution-focused nature of this role. The emphasis on Adobe Creative Suite is standard, but the specific mention of InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator indicates the core tools for daily tasks.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a range of creative assets developed for print and digital mediums, demonstrating versatility across different campaign types.

• Include examples of production-ready files, highlighting attention to detail in file setup, color correction, and adherence to specifications.

• Present case studies that illustrate the process of adapting and resizing assets for various channels and audiences, emphasizing efficiency.

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of brand guidelines through examples of consistent application across multiple projects.

• Highlight projects that involved collaboration with internal teams or external vendors, showcasing communication and project coordination skills. Process Documentation:

• Examples of workflow management for high-volume asset production, demonstrating an ability to balance creative needs with operational efficiency.

• Documentation of quality assurance processes used to review and approve creative assets before final delivery.

• Case studies showing how production files were prepared for specific print or digital outputs, detailing technical considerations.

• Evidence of systems or methods used for organizing and maintaining production files, templates, and digital asset libraries.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a production-heavy graphic design role, the portfolio should strongly emphasize technical execution, adherence to brand standards, and efficiency in asset creation and adaptation, rather than purely conceptual or artistic work.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The provided salary information indicates an annual compensation starting from CAD $60,000. Based on the 7 years of experience required, the senior nature of the role, and the location in Ottawa, Ontario, a competitive range for this position would typically fall between CAD $65,000 and $85,000 annually. This estimate considers the cost of living in Ottawa and industry benchmarks for experienced graphic designers in production-focused roles.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive benefit program and coverage that varies by position.

• Healthcare coverage.

• Dental care coverage.

• Disability coverage.

• Life insurance.

• Registered Retirement Savings Program (RRSP) contributions/matching.

• A 10% discount on in-store purchases at Farm Boy.

• On-the-job training opportunities.

Working Hours: This is a full-time position, typically requiring 40 hours per week. While specific daily schedules are not detailed, the role is on-site, implying standard business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is derived from the provided minimum and general market data for experienced graphic designers in a major Canadian city. The benefits package is comprehensive and typical for full-time roles in the retail sector, with the employee discount being a notable perk.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Retail (specifically, grocery and fresh food markets). Farm Boy operates within a competitive retail landscape, emphasizing quality products, customer service, and a unique store experience. This context means design needs will be driven by promotional cycles, seasonal offerings, and store-specific marketing.

Company Size: Farm Boy is a significant player in the Ontario retail market. While exact employee numbers aren't provided in the raw data, its presence across numerous locations suggests a medium to large enterprise, providing stability and opportunities for structured career growth.

Founded: 1981. This long history indicates a well-established brand with a deep understanding of its market and customer base, suggesting established brand guidelines and design protocols.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will work closely with the Manager of Brand and Design, indicating a hierarchical structure within the design department.

• Collaboration is expected with internal teams such as marketing, content, and potentially store operations or visual merchandising.

• External partners and vendors will also be key collaborators, requiring strong vendor management and communication skills. Methodology:

• Design execution will likely follow a structured workflow, prioritizing brand consistency and production accuracy.

• Creative concepts will need to align with marketing objectives and customer experience initiatives, suggesting a data-informed approach to design decisions.

• Emphasis on efficiency and balancing creative output with operational requirements is a core part of the methodology.

Company Website: farmboy.ca

📝 Enhancement Note: The retail industry context is crucial for a graphic designer. Design output will be heavily tied to sales promotions, seasonal campaigns, and in-store experiences, requiring a practical, results-oriented approach to design.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Graphic Designer role, indicating a level of autonomy, responsibility, and experience beyond entry-level or mid-level positions. The role requires leadership in creative production and design execution, suggesting the ability to manage complex projects and ensure high-quality output independently.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to the Manager of Brand and Design. This suggests a clear line of communication and mentorship within the design department.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly influences brand perception, customer engagement, and sales performance through effective visual communication across advertisements, store signage, and digital assets. High-quality, on-brand creative assets are essential for driving traffic, promoting products, and reinforcing the Farm Boy brand identity in a competitive retail market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Potential to deepen expertise in specific areas such as retail signage design, digital asset optimization for e-commerce, or campaign-specific creative direction.

• Leadership within Design: With proven success, opportunities could arise to take on more complex projects, lead design initiatives for specific campaigns, or mentor junior designers.

• Cross-functional Roles: Potential to move into roles with broader marketing or brand management responsibilities, leveraging design expertise within a larger strategic framework.

• Internal Promotions: Farm Boy emphasizes internal promotions, suggesting clear pathways for advancement within the company for high-performing team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "senior role" and reporting to a Manager signals a trajectory towards greater responsibility, project ownership, and potentially team leadership within the design function at Farm Boy.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at the Home Office in Ottawa, Ontario. This implies a professional office setting where administrative, marketing, and design teams are co-located.

Office Location(s): 1427 Ogilvie Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1J 8M7, Canada. This location is described as the "Home Office," suggesting it's the central hub for corporate functions.

Workspace Context:

• The environment is described as an open-office setting, which may involve typical noise levels and interruptions.

• The role requires extended periods of sitting and frequent computer use, potentially leading to eye strain.

• Collaboration is a key aspect, suggesting opportunities for interaction with colleagues from various departments.

• Access to necessary design tools and technology (Adobe Creative Suite) is implied.

Work Schedule: This is a full-time, on-site position, typically adhering to standard business hours (e.g., 40 hours per week). The requirement for on-site operational support for store openings may occasionally necessitate flexibility outside of standard hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of the office environment as "open-office noise and interruptions" is important for candidates to be aware of, as it may impact focus and workflow for detailed design tasks.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely involves a review of the resume and portfolio to assess technical skills, experience, and alignment with job requirements.

• Skills Assessment: A practical design test or a detailed portfolio review session may be conducted to evaluate proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, production skills, and creative problem-solving. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their design process and rationale for specific project choices.

• Behavioral/Situational Interviews: Interviews with the Manager of Brand and Design and potentially other team members to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and ability to handle pressure and feedback. Questions may focus on past experiences related to project management, problem-solving, and stakeholder communication.

• Final Interview: May involve a discussion about career aspirations, understanding of the Farm Boy brand, and overall fit within the organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Production Expertise: Prioritize examples that demonstrate strong technical skills in file preparation, adherence to brand guidelines, and efficient asset adaptation for various formats (print and digital).

• Highlight Process: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your role, the challenges faced, your design process, and the final outcome, emphasizing how you met production requirements.

• Include Variety: Present a mix of projects including advertisements, store signage, promotional materials, and digital assets to showcase versatility.

• Quality over Quantity: Select your strongest, most relevant pieces rather than including everything. Ensure all examples are high-resolution and well-presented.

• Brand Consistency Examples: Include work that clearly demonstrates your ability to work within established brand standards and maintain visual consistency.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a design challenge that might involve adapting existing assets, creating a new piece based on a brief, or solving a specific design problem relevant to retail marketing.

• Focus on demonstrating your ability to work efficiently, creatively, and in line with brand guidelines.

• Practice articulating your design choices and process clearly and concisely.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role. Candidates should curate it to specifically highlight production design capabilities, efficiency, and adherence to brand standards, reflecting the core requirements of the job.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Expert proficiency is mandatory, specifically including:

  • Adobe InDesign: For layout design, including advertisements, signage, and multi-page documents.
  • Adobe Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and creating digital assets.
  • Adobe Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, icons, and illustrations.

• Prepress Software: Familiarity with tools and processes involved in preparing files for commercial printing.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly stated as a primary tool for the designer, an understanding of how design impacts performance metrics (e.g., click-through rates for digital ads, foot traffic for in-store signage) would be beneficial. The role supports marketing initiatives, so awareness of campaign performance is relevant. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the designer's core function, but awareness of how marketing automation platforms distribute digital assets may be indirectly relevant.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator signifies these as the core operational tools. Strong knowledge of print production workflows and file preparation is equally critical.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Execution: A commitment to high-quality, accurate, and timely delivery of all creative assets, particularly in a production-focused role.

• Brand Integrity: Upholding and consistently applying Farm Boy's brand standards across all visual communications to maintain a cohesive and professional image.

• Customer Focus: Designing with the end customer experience in mind, ensuring that visuals are engaging, informative, and contribute positively to the shopping journey.

• Collaboration and Teamwork: Working effectively with the Manager of Brand and Design, marketing teams, and external partners to achieve shared goals.

• Efficiency and Adaptability: Balancing creative vision with production realities, adapting to changing priorities, and finding efficient solutions for design challenges.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role requires close collaboration with marketing and content teams, necessitating clear communication and the ability to translate marketing objectives into effective visual designs.

• Feedback-Driven: The ability to receive and implement constructive feedback from the Manager of Brand and Design and other stakeholders is essential for iterative design processes.

• Partnership with Vendors: Effective communication and clear briefing of external vendors (printers, agencies) to ensure accurate and high-quality execution of design projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Farm Boy's emphasis on "making the exceptional everyday" and "building relationships" suggests a culture that values both high performance and positive interpersonal dynamics, which will be reflected in the design team's interactions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• High-Volume Production: Managing a consistent flow of diverse creative asset requests while maintaining quality and meeting tight deadlines.

• Balancing Creativity and Production: Striking the right balance between innovative design solutions and the practical constraints of print and digital production, brand guidelines, and operational efficiencies.

• Adapting to Retail Demands: Quickly responding to the dynamic needs of the retail environment, including promotional cycles, seasonal changes, and new store openings.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring that all creative output, across various channels and projects, adheres strictly to Farm Boy's established brand standards.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Production Techniques: Opportunities to refine skills in complex print pre-press, color management, and digital asset optimization for various platforms.

• Retail Design Specialization: Deepening expertise in the unique requirements of retail design, including signage, promotional materials, and in-store branding.

• Project Management Skills: Enhancing abilities in managing multiple projects, prioritizing tasks, and collaborating effectively with diverse teams and external partners.

• Brand Strategy Exposure: Gaining a deeper understanding of how design contributes to broader marketing and brand strategies within the retail sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly linked to the operational realities of a high-volume retail environment, requiring designers to be both creative and highly efficient and process-oriented.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for managing multiple design projects with competing deadlines. How do you prioritize?" (Focus on organizational skills, time management, and communication strategies.)

• "Walk us through a challenging print production project. What were the key technical considerations, and how did you ensure a successful outcome?" (Highlight expertise in prepress, file setup, and problem-solving in production.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across different design assets and platforms?" (Emphasize understanding of brand guidelines, attention to detail, and systematic approaches.)

• "Describe a time you had to adapt a design concept to fit production constraints or operational efficiencies. What was the outcome?" (Showcase flexibility, problem-solving, and practical design thinking.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for Farm Boy specifically, and how do you see your design skills contributing to our brand?" (Research Farm Boy's values, market position, and recent campaigns.)

• "How do you approach receiving and implementing feedback on your designs?" (Demonstrate openness, a collaborative spirit, and a focus on improving the final output.)

• "Describe your experience working with external vendors, such as printers. What are the key elements of effective vendor collaboration?" (Highlight communication, clear briefing, and quality control.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Presentation: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type (print, digital) or by showcasing your strongest production-focused examples first.

• Tell the Story: For each key piece, briefly explain the objective, your role, the challenges, your design process, and the final outcome. Focus on how you met the brief and any specific production considerations.

• Highlight Technical Skills: Be prepared to discuss the technical aspects of your work, such as file preparation, color management, and typography choices.

• Demonstrate Brand Adherence: Show examples where you successfully worked within established brand guidelines and maintained visual consistency.

• Be Ready for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, your process, and your experience with specific tools or production methods.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of production workflows, brand adherence, and efficient execution, reflecting the core responsibilities of this senior production design role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on jobs.smartrecruiters.com.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select and organize your strongest work samples that specifically highlight your production design capabilities, experience with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator), and adherence to brand standards. Include examples of print-ready files and adaptations for various channels.

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 7+ years of experience, with explicit mention of "production design," "brand management," and technical skills in Adobe Creative Suite and print production. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "produced X assets per week," "reduced production errors by Y%").

• Prepare for the Interview: Research Farm Boy's brand, recent marketing campaigns, and store presence. Prepare to discuss your design process, your experience with production challenges, and how you handle feedback and collaboration. Practice articulating your portfolio pieces.

• Understand the Role: Be ready to discuss how your skills align with the responsibilities of a senior production designer in a fast-paced retail environment, including the on-site support aspect for store openings.

⚠️ 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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