Graphic Designer at Partners Coffee

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Partners Coffee

Location: Brooklyn, New York, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: August 19, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Design and produce high-impact marketing assets across all brand touchpoints, from packaging to digital platforms, ensuring a cohesive and compelling brand narrative.
Steward and evolve the Partners Coffee brand identity, maintaining brand guidelines, type systems, and color palettes while championing creative innovation.
Manage end-to-end print production processes, including file preparation, vendor communication, and pre-press approvals, ensuring compliance and quality.
Develop visually engaging collateral for sales and wholesale initiatives, including line sheets, pitch decks, and trade show materials, to support business growth.
Collaborate closely with marketing and other departments to translate creative concepts into effective visual solutions that align with business objectives and brand integrity.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the provided job title is "Graphic Designer," the responsibilities and required skills strongly indicate a specialization in packaging design and print production within a consumer packaged goods (CPG) or direct-to-consumer (DTC) environment. The role requires not just creative design but also technical execution and vendor management, positioning it as a crucial operational support function within the marketing team, especially for a growing brand like Partners Coffee.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

Design retail packaging for a variety of products including bags, cans, and boxes, ensuring aesthetic appeal and brand consistency.
Create production-ready print files, meticulously managing dielines, color separations, bleeds, and pre-press specifications to ensure seamless manufacturing.
Oversee the entire print production lifecycle, from initial proofing stages to final press approvals, by liaising effectively with printers and vendors.
Ensure all packaging and print materials are compliant with regulatory requirements, including net weight, nutrition panels, certifications (e.g., USDA Organic, Fair Trade), and barcodes.
Develop photorealistic product mockups using advanced Photoshop techniques for internal reviews, sales presentations, retailer pitches, and e-commerce imagery, crucial for visualizing products before physical production.
Design a wide range of digital assets for email marketing, web banners, paid social media campaigns, and organic social media content.
Support e-commerce operations by creating compelling product imagery, promotional banners, landing page graphics, and visuals for lifecycle marketing campaigns.
Create essential in-cafe visual elements, including menu boards, signage, and merchandise designs, to enhance the customer experience and brand presence.
Maintain and enforce brand guidelines, including typography, color palette, and asset library, ensuring consistent brand representation across all channels.
Champion creative innovation that supports brand growth and evolution, balancing new concepts with the core brand identity to foster brand expansion.
Design sales and wholesale collateral such as line sheets, sell sheets, one-pagers, and pitch decks to support partnership development.
Develop trade show and event materials, including booth graphics, signage, and print collateral, to effectively represent the brand at industry events.
Create templated design systems that empower the sales team to independently update marketing materials, improving efficiency and consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on operational execution within the design function. This includes managing production workflows, ensuring regulatory compliance for packaging, and creating sales enablement tools. This suggests the role requires a blend of creative talent and process-oriented thinking, typical of operations-adjacent roles in marketing.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is typically expected for roles with this level of responsibility and creative demand. Equivalent practical experience with a strong portfolio may also be considered.

Experience: 2-5 years of professional design experience, with a preference for those who have worked within a fast-moving Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) brand environment. Experience in the Food & Beverage or Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) sector is considered a significant asset.

Required Skills:

Portfolio: A strong portfolio demonstrating extensive packaging design and print work is mandatory. This should showcase the candidate's ability to conceptualize and execute visually appealing and functional designs.
Adobe Creative Suite Proficiency: Expert-level command of Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop is essential for all design and production tasks.
Print Production Expertise: Deep understanding of print production processes, including substrates, CMYK vs. spot color nuances, dieline creation, pre-press requirements, and effective communication with print vendors.
Advanced Photoshop Skills: Demonstrated ability in creating highly realistic product mockups, utilizing smart objects, displacement maps, compositing, and manipulating lighting and shadows to achieve lifelike product representations.
Motion Graphics: Experience in creating motion graphics for digital applications, enhancing engagement and brand storytelling.
Versatility: Ability to seamlessly transition between producing polished, high-fidelity brand work and responding to fast-turnaround requests without compromising quality.
Project Ownership: Proven ability to be highly organized, self-directed, and comfortable managing projects from inception to completion.
Industry Interest: A genuine passion for specialty coffee and an informed interest in the intricacies of packaging design.

Preferred Skills:

Photography: Experience in product photography, contributing to visual asset creation.
E-commerce Platform Design: Familiarity with designing within platforms like Shopify, and marketing automation tools such as Klaviyo.
Canva Template Systems: Experience in creating and utilizing Canva template systems for streamlined content creation.
Video Retouching and Editing: Skills in video post-production, including retouching and editing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "real print production knowledge," "advanced Photoshop skills for product mockups," and "motion graphics" points to a need for a designer with a strong technical and execution-focused skillset, beyond just conceptual design. This aligns with the operational demands of a growing brand that needs reliable, high-quality asset production. The "nice to have" skills like Shopify and Klaviyo integration suggest a desire for a designer who can contribute to the digital commerce workflow.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Packaging Design Case Studies: Detailed examples of packaging projects, showcasing the design process from concept to final production, including challenges overcome and final outcomes.
Print Production Examples: Demonstrations of print-ready files, demonstrating understanding of pre-press, color separations, and dielines. Inclusion of examples of successful print vendor collaboration and problem-solving is highly valued.
Digital Asset Showcase: A selection of digital graphics for web, social media, and email, highlighting adaptability and understanding of different platform requirements.
Brand Consistency Examples: Visual evidence of how the candidate has maintained or evolved brand guidelines across various applications, demonstrating stewardship.
Mockup & Visualization Skills: Examples of high-fidelity product mockups created in Photoshop, illustrating the ability to present concepts realistically.

Process Documentation:

Workflow Design: Examples of how the candidate has structured their design workflow, particularly for print production and multi-channel asset creation, emphasizing efficiency and organization.
Collaboration & Feedback Integration: Evidence of how feedback from stakeholders (marketing, sales, production) has been incorporated into the design process, demonstrating a collaborative and iterative approach.
Asset Management: Showcase of how design assets are organized and maintained, such as through an asset library, to ensure consistency and accessibility for the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role involving significant print production and a need to create sales collateral, the portfolio must strongly emphasize technical execution and process management. The ability to demonstrate a structured approach to design projects, manage vendor relationships, and ensure brand consistency across diverse outputs will be critical. Applicants should be prepared to discuss the technical specifications and production challenges of their portfolio pieces.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the provided experience level (2-5 years) and location (Brooklyn, NY), a competitive salary range for a Graphic Designer with specialized print and packaging skills in this market would likely fall between $60,000 and $68,000 per year. This estimate considers the cost of living in New York City and the specialized nature of the required skills.

Benefits:

Health Insurance: Comprehensive health coverage is available after eligibility milestones are met.
Dental Insurance: Dental coverage is provided to support employee well-being.
Vision Insurance: Vision insurance benefits are offered.
Paid Time Off: 10 days of vacation are provided annually, in addition to 10 federal holidays.
Commuter Benefits: Assistance with commuting costs to and from the office.
Product Perks: Abundant access to coffee to drink on-site and take home.

Working Hours: This is a full-time, on-site position, typically requiring approximately 40 hours per week. While the core hours are standard, the role's need for creative output and project completion may occasionally require flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is estimated based on industry benchmarks for graphic designers with 2-5 years of experience in a high-cost-of-living area like Brooklyn, NY, with a specialization in packaging and print production. This range is informed by aggregated salary data from reputable job boards and industry salary surveys for similar roles. The benefits package is comprehensive, with standard offerings for full-time employees in the US market, plus a unique perk for coffee enthusiasts.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Specialty Coffee Roasting & Retail. Partners Coffee operates within the dynamic and competitive specialty coffee market, focusing on small-batch roasting, wholesale distribution, and a network of retail cafes. This industry demands a strong brand identity and high-quality product presentation.

Company Size: Partners Coffee is an independently owned, small-batch specialty coffee roaster that has grown significantly. While specific numbers aren't provided, the description suggests a company that has moved beyond startup phase and is in a period of "significant growth," indicating a size that supports dedicated marketing and design functions, likely falling into the 50-200 employee range. This size allows for a close-knit team environment while offering opportunities for structured growth and process development.

Founded: The company was founded with a commitment to coffee integrity and community, growing alongside its Brooklyn neighborhood. This history suggests a brand rooted in local values, evolving with its environment, and prioritizing quality and connection.

Team Structure:

The Graphic Designer sits within the marketing team, indicating a central role in brand communication and asset creation.
The work supports all departments, suggesting a highly collaborative environment where design impacts packaging, retail operations, wholesale sales, and digital presence.
The office is described as a "coffee clubhouse" with a coffee lab, tech, and warehousing facilities, implying an integrated operational setup where different functions work closely together. Methodology:
Brand Stewardship: A core methodology is maintaining and evolving brand guidelines to ensure consistency and support growth, emphasizing innovation within established parameters.
Process-Oriented Production: The role requires a structured approach to packaging and print production, managing detailed specifications, vendor interactions, and compliance.
Cross-Functional Support: Design serves as a critical support function for sales, retail, and e-commerce, requiring an understanding of the needs and output requirements of these different operational areas.

Company Website: https://partnerscoffee.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's description points to a brand that values both its artisanal roots in specialty coffee and its operational growth. The "coffee clubhouse" environment suggests a culture that blends passion for the product with a functional, modern workspace. The marketing team's role is clearly defined as supporting broader business objectives, making this design position integral to the company's expansion.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Graphic Designer, requiring 2-5 years of experience. It's a specialized position focused on packaging and print production, demanding a blend of creative skill and technical execution. The role is integral to the marketing operations, ensuring brand consistency and supporting sales enablement through visual assets.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports to a manager or director within the marketing team. The role is expected to be largely self-directed in managing design projects, but will collaborate closely with marketing leads, sales teams, and potentially product development for packaging projects.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work has a direct impact on several operational areas:

Sales Enablement: High-quality sales collateral and pitch decks directly influence wholesale partnerships and revenue generation.
Brand Perception: Consistent and appealing packaging and retail design enhance customer experience and brand loyalty, impacting sales volume and retention.
E-commerce Efficiency: Effective product imagery and web graphics drive online sales and reduce customer service inquiries.
Production Efficiency: Well-prepared print files and clear communication with vendors streamline the manufacturing process, reducing costs and lead times.

Growth Opportunities:

Specialization Deepening: Opportunity to become the go-to expert for packaging design and print production within the company, potentially leading to senior designer or art director roles focused on these areas.
Brand Development Leadership: As the brand scales, there will be opportunities to contribute more significantly to strategic brand direction and creative concept development.
Cross-Functional Skill Development: Exposure to e-commerce platforms (Shopify), marketing automation (Klaviyo), and photography/videography can lead to a broader skillset valuable in GTM operations.
Team Leadership: With proven performance and growth, there's potential to mentor junior designers or manage design projects more broadly as the marketing team expands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth within a specialized design function that is critical to the operational success of a growing CPG/DTC brand. The emphasis on owning projects end-to-end and supporting various departments provides opportunities to develop a holistic understanding of go-to-market strategies.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The position is on-site at Partners Coffee's Greenpoint office and coffee lab. This environment is described as a "coffee clubhouse," suggesting a vibrant, modern, and collaborative workspace.

Office Location(s): The office is located in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY, situated near McCarren and McGolrick Parks. This location offers access to amenities and a dynamic urban setting.

Workspace Context:

Collaborative Hub: The office houses a coffee lab, tech facilities, and warehousing, fostering a hands-on and integrated work environment. This setup encourages cross-functional interaction and a shared passion for coffee.
Creative & Functional Space: The workspace is designed to support both creative experimentation (coffee lab) and operational tasks (tech, warehousing). Natural sunlight and a view of the Greenpoint neighborhood contribute to a positive atmosphere.
Tools & Resources: The coffee lab is equipped for coffee experimentation and content capture, suggesting that visual asset creation, including photography and potentially video, is supported in-house.

Work Schedule: This is a full-time, on-site role, typically adhering to standard business hours (e.g., 40 hours per week). The creative nature of the role and the need to meet project deadlines may require occasional flexibility to ensure timely delivery of assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of the Greenpoint office as a "coffee clubhouse" emphasizes a culture that values both creativity and community. For a designer, this likely translates to an inspiring environment where they can engage with the product and collaborate with colleagues across different operational functions.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

Initial Screening: A review of applications and portfolios to assess basic qualifications and creative fit.
Portfolio Review & Discussion: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing specific projects, design choices, and their approach to print production and brand stewardship. Expect questions about their experience with packaging, mockups, and vendor management.
Skills Assessment/Design Challenge: A potential practical exercise or design challenge to evaluate skills in Adobe Creative Suite, problem-solving, and ability to work within brand constraints. This might involve creating a quick mockup or concept.
Team & Culture Fit Interview: Meeting with the marketing team and potentially other stakeholders to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and alignment with Partners Coffee's values.
Final Interview: A discussion with senior leadership to finalize the decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Curate Strategically: Showcase 3-5 of your strongest projects, with a heavy emphasis on packaging and print production. Include examples of digital assets and brand stewardship as well.
Highlight Process: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your creative process, challenges encountered (especially production-related), solutions implemented, and the final outcome.
Showcase Technical Skills: Explicitly detail your proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, especially Photoshop for mockups, and your understanding of print production specifications.
Quantify Impact (if possible): If you can, mention how your designs contributed to sales increases, efficiency gains in production, or improved brand perception.
Tailor to Partners Coffee: Demonstrate an understanding of the Partners Coffee brand and how your skills align with their aesthetic and business goals.

Challenge Preparation:

Brand Consistency Exercise: Be prepared to quickly apply brand elements to a new concept or adapt an existing asset.
Mockup Proficiency: Practice creating realistic product mockups in Photoshop under time constraints.
Problem-Solving Scenarios: Think about common design challenges in packaging and print production (e.g., color matching, dieline issues) and how you've resolved them.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process for a creative role like this will heavily rely on the portfolio. Candidates should prepare to not only show their work but also to articulate the strategic thinking, technical execution, and collaborative process behind each piece, particularly concerning production and brand integrity.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

Adobe Creative Suite: Expert proficiency is mandatory in Illustrator (vector graphics, dielines), InDesign (layout, print production files), and Photoshop (image editing, product mockups, compositing).
3D Mockup Software: While not explicitly named, advanced Photoshop skills suggest proficiency in creating realistic mockups, potentially utilizing 3D rendering plugins or dedicated mockup software.

Analytics & Reporting:

E-commerce Analytics: Familiarity with analytics from platforms like Shopify to understand the performance of digital assets and product imagery.
Marketing Automation Platforms: Experience with tools like Klaviyo for designing and analyzing email campaigns.

CRM & Automation:

Design Templating Systems: Experience with creating and utilizing template systems, potentially in Canva or similar platforms, to enable self-service updates for the sales team.
Project Management Tools: While not specified, familiarity with tools like Asana, Trello, or Monday.com would be beneficial for managing multiple projects and deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core of the technology stack revolves around the Adobe Creative Suite, with a strong emphasis on Photoshop for advanced mockup creation. The "nice to have" skills point towards an increasing need for designers who can integrate with digital marketing and e-commerce workflows, suggesting a broader operational technology landscape.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

Quality & Integrity: A commitment to high standards in both the coffee product and its visual representation, mirroring the company's dedication to coffee integrity.
Community & Inclusivity: The brand aims to make specialty coffee accessible to everyone, reflecting a value of inclusivity and community engagement that should extend to internal team dynamics.
Creativity & Innovation: Encouragement to explore new concepts and evolve the brand's visual identity while staying true to its core principles.
Efficiency & Execution: The need to deliver polished work quickly and manage production processes effectively, aligning with operational demands.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires close collaboration with marketing, sales, and potentially retail operations, necessitating strong communication and an ability to understand diverse departmental needs.
Feedback-Driven Improvement: A culture that likely embraces constructive feedback to refine designs and processes, especially in a growing company.
Shared Passion: Working within a company dedicated to coffee suggests a team that shares a passion for the product, fostering a collaborative and enthusiastic work environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's emphasis on "coffee integrity and community" and "specialty coffee is for everyone" suggests a culture that values both craftsmanship and accessibility. For a designer, this means creating work that is both aesthetically refined and approachable, while also being operationally sound and supporting broad business goals.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

Balancing Brand Consistency with Innovation: The primary challenge will be to evolve the brand's visual identity and create new concepts while maintaining consistency across all touchpoints and upholding brand guidelines.
Managing Print Production Complexities: Navigating the intricacies of print production, including vendor communication, color management, and pre-press requirements, can be demanding, especially with tight deadlines.
Rapid Asset Generation: The need to produce a high volume of diverse marketing assets (packaging, digital, retail, sales collateral) under potentially tight turnaround times.
Integrating New Concepts: Successfully introducing and implementing innovative design ideas that resonate with the brand and support business objectives in a growing company.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Advanced Packaging Design: Deepen expertise in packaging design, materials, and sustainable practices.
Digital Marketing Design Integration: Expand skills in designing for e-commerce, social media advertising, and email marketing automation.
Photography & Videography: Develop skills in product photography and video content creation for marketing and e-commerce use.
Brand Strategy Contribution: Gain more influence on the overall brand direction and creative strategy as the company grows.
Process Optimization: Contribute to refining design and production workflows for increased efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a growing brand in the CPG/F&B space, requiring a designer who is adaptable, technically proficient, and strategically minded. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering a chance to expand a skillset beyond traditional graphic design into areas critical for modern GTM strategies.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

"Describe a complex packaging project you managed from concept to production. What were the key challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on process, vendor management, problem-solving).
"How do you ensure brand consistency across diverse marketing channels, especially when working on fast-turnaround projects?" (Highlight your approach to brand guidelines and asset management).
"Walk us through your process for creating photorealistic product mockups. What tools and techniques do you use, and why?" (Demonstrate technical proficiency and attention to detail).
"Imagine Partners Coffee is launching a new line of cold brew. What initial design concepts would you explore for the packaging, and what factors would influence your decisions?" (Assess creative thinking, brand understanding, and strategic approach). Company & Culture Questions:
"What appeals to you about Partners Coffee and the specialty coffee industry?" (Show genuine interest and research).
"How do you approach collaboration with non-designers, such as sales or operations teams?" (Emphasize communication and understanding of different perspectives).
"Describe a time you had to adapt your design approach based on feedback or changing project requirements." (Showcase flexibility and receptiveness to input). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
Structure is Key: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type (packaging, digital, print) or by case study.
Tell the Story: For each project, explain the "why" behind your design choices, the problem you were solving, and the impact of your work.
Highlight Technical Mastery: Be ready to discuss the technical specifications of your designs, especially for print and packaging, and your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite.
Showcase Versatility: Demonstrate your ability to create both polished, high-end brand work and efficient, rapid-turnaround assets.
Engage and Discuss: Be prepared for an interactive session where you can answer questions about your work and demonstrate your thought process.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only creative talent but also a strong understanding of operational processes, particularly in print production and brand management. The ability to articulate the "how" and "why" behind design decisions, especially concerning technical execution and business objectives, will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

Submit your application through the provided link on the Partners Coffee careers page.
Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your strongest packaging design and print production work. Tailor the selection to showcase relevant experience with CPG/F&B brands if possible, and highlight your advanced Photoshop mockup skills.
Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your 2-5 years of experience, emphasizing skills in Adobe Creative Suite, print production, and brand stewardship. Use keywords from the job description (e.g., packaging design, print production, Adobe Creative Suite, brand guidelines).
Prepare for Portfolio Walkthrough: Be ready to discuss specific projects in detail, focusing on your process, technical execution, challenges, and how your designs supported business objectives. Practice explaining your print production knowledge and mockup creation techniques.
Company Research: Thoroughly research Partners Coffee, their brand aesthetic, product offerings, and recent marketing campaigns. Understand their commitment to community and coffee integrity to align your application and interview responses with their company culture and values.

⚠️ 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