Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: R & B Wagner Inc

Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: June 04, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Responsible for the systematic design, organization, and execution of a wide variety of print and digital marketing collateral, with a strong emphasis on technical documentation and brand consistency.

• Manages a rigorous digital asset management system, utilizing batch image processing and automation tools to maximize efficiency in media asset workflows.

• Creates high-impact marketing campaigns and trade show experiences, alongside detailed product catalogs, specification sheets, and installation guides used by architects, contractors, and engineers.

• Serves as an internal resource for standardized product photography, video capture, and image editing, contributing to a comprehensive media asset library.

• Drives process improvement by researching and integrating emerging design tools, including AI-assisted workflows, to enhance marketing goals and streamline production.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a vital contributor to the marketing and brand strategy of a manufacturing company, requiring a blend of creative design skills and operational efficiency in managing digital assets and technical documentation. The emphasis on systematic design, asset management, and process improvement aligns it closely with operational excellence within a creative function.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Information Architecture & Layout: Structure, design, and maintain highly technical, data-dense collateral including product catalogs, brochures, specification sheets, and installation instructions, ensuring clarity, readability, and adherence to brand guidelines.

• Asset Management & Workflow Automation: Maintain and enforce a rigorous digital asset management system, including file naming conventions, archiving, and project details. Utilize batch image processing and automation tools to maximize efficiency in media asset workflows.

• Project Execution: Manage design projects systematically from initial request and layout templating through final production, including print file setup and vendor communication, ensuring timely delivery and quality control.

• Brand Governance: Develop, maintain, and champion Wagner’s brand identity across all internal and external touchpoints, ensuring consistent visual messaging and brand integrity.

• Campaign Asset Production: Build structured, high-performing digital and print assets for multi-channel sales and marketing campaigns, including product sell sheets, display ads, social media graphics, email graphics, business cards, and trade show displays.

• Multimedia Production: Serve as the internal resource for standardized product photography, video capture, and image editing, creating compelling visual content for product launches and marketing initiatives.

• Process Improvement: Regularly research and integrate emerging design tools and practices, including AI-assisted workflows and Adobe plugins, to better serve Wagner’s marketing goals and improve production efficiency.

• Audience Informed Design: Leverage best practices in UX/UI to test and evolve design performance for Wagner’s customer personas, ensuring collateral is effective and engaging for target audiences.

• Perform other duties as assigned by management, demonstrating flexibility and a willingness to contribute across various marketing initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a structured approach to design, emphasizing process, asset management, and technical communication, which are critical for operational efficiency in a manufacturing environment. The inclusion of AI tools and UX/UI principles indicates a forward-thinking approach to design operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 2-5 years of professional experience in graphic design, with a significant focus on creating and managing technical documentation and marketing collateral.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite: Expert-level skills in InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop are essential for creating and manipulating a wide range of design assets.

• Information Architecture & Layout Design: Ability to structure, design, and organize complex, data-dense documents for maximum clarity and readability.

• Brand Governance & Identity Management: Proven ability to develop, maintain, and enforce brand guidelines across all visual communications.

• Digital Asset Management (DAM): Experience establishing and maintaining organized digital asset libraries, including file naming conventions, metadata, and archiving practices.

• Technical Communication Skills: Aptitude for translating technical information into clear, concise, and visually appealing designs for diverse audiences.

Preferred Skills:

• UX/UI Design Principles: Understanding of user experience and user interface design to optimize digital collateral and website assets for target personas.

• Product Photography & Videography: Experience with professional product photography, videography, and associated image/video editing software.

• Batch Image Processing & Automation Tools: Familiarity with tools and techniques for efficiently processing large volumes of images and automating repetitive design tasks.

• AI-Assisted Design Tools: Experience or a strong interest in leveraging AI-powered tools to enhance design production and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirements emphasize a unique blend of creative design and operational rigor, particularly in handling technical content and managing digital assets efficiently. The AI and automation skills point towards a need for a designer who can optimize workflows.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Technical Documentation Examples: Showcase examples of complex, data-dense collateral such as product catalogs, specification sheets, installation guides, or technical manuals, demonstrating clarity, organization, and adherence to design standards.

• Brand Consistency Case Studies: Present projects where you successfully maintained and enforced brand identity across diverse marketing materials, highlighting your ability to serve as a brand steward.

• Digital Asset Management Showcase: Include examples or descriptions of how you have organized, managed, and maintained digital asset libraries, emphasizing workflow efficiency and file hygiene.

• Campaign Performance Metrics: If possible, present examples of marketing campaigns where your design work contributed to measurable business objectives, illustrating your understanding of design's impact on sales and marketing goals.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Demonstrate experience in designing and optimizing design workflows, including project request processes, templating strategies, and production pipelines, with a focus on efficiency and scalability.

• Implementation of Automation: Provide examples of how you have implemented automation tools, batch processing, or AI-assisted workflows to accelerate design production and improve output quality.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Show how you track and analyze the performance of design assets, using data to inform future design decisions and iterate on creative strategies for better audience engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio that highlights not just creative output but also process-driven methodologies, asset management capabilities, and the efficient use of technology (including AI) will be crucial for this role. Demonstrating an understanding of how design supports operational efficiency and business objectives is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP): As a 100% employee-owned company, you will have the opportunity to own a stake in the company's success, contributing to long-term financial growth and personal investment.

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans designed to support the well-being of employees and their families.

• Retirement Savings Plan: Opportunities for retirement savings and investment, often including a 401(k) plan with company match.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay to ensure work-life balance and employee well-being.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for ongoing training, workshops, and conferences to enhance skills in graphic design, digital media, and process optimization.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time position, typically 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, there may be flexibility in daily start and end times, subject to team needs and project deadlines. The focus is on project completion and operational efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The inclusion of an ESOP is a significant benefit, directly aligning employee contributions with company ownership and long-term success. The salary range is an estimation based on typical market rates for the role and location, adjusted for the specific technical and operational demands.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Manufacturing (Architectural Products)

Company Size: While specific numbers aren't provided, R & B Wagner Inc operates as a significant player in its niche, suggesting a mid-to-large size organization where specialized roles like Graphic Designer are integral to departmental functions. As an employee-owned company (ESOP), the culture likely emphasizes collaboration, shared success, and a long-term perspective.

Founded: Information not directly provided, but Wagner Architectural Products has a history suggesting established market presence.

Team Structure:

• Digital Marketing Team: The Graphic Designer reports to the Digital Marketing Manager, indicating a collaborative relationship within a core marketing function.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role requires close interaction with marketing, sales, engineering, and product experts, necessitating strong communication and partnership skills.

• Departmental Integration: The designer will work with various departments to translate their technical information and business objectives into effective visual communications.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Leveraging UX/UI best practices and performance metrics to inform design decisions and ensure effectiveness.

• Process Optimization: Continuous research and integration of new tools and workflows, including AI, to improve efficiency and output.

• Systematic Project Management: Adherence to structured project execution from request to final production, ensuring quality and timely delivery.

Company Website: www.wagnerarchitectural.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on architectural products and its ESOP structure suggest a culture valuing craftsmanship, long-term commitment, and employee contribution. The Graphic Designer's role is central to communicating these values and technical expertise externally.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Graphic Designer (2-5 years experience), with a focus on specialized applications within a manufacturing and architectural products context. It requires not just creative output but also an understanding of process, efficiency, and technical communication.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports directly to the Digital Marketing Manager, providing a clear line of communication and project oversight. This structure allows for focused development within the marketing department.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work has a direct impact on how R & B Wagner Inc presents its brand and technical offerings. High-quality, clear, and consistent collateral drives sales, supports customer education, and reinforces brand credibility, all of which are critical operational outcomes for a company in a technical industry.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization in Technical Design: Deepen expertise in designing for complex technical products, becoming a go-to resource for specification sheets, installation guides, and product catalogs.

• Digital Asset Management Leadership: Grow into a role with greater responsibility for managing and optimizing the company's digital asset library and workflows.

• Advanced Tool Integration: Become proficient in leveraging emerging technologies, including AI tools and advanced automation, to drive significant improvements in design operations.

• Cross-Functional Project Leadership: Take on lead roles in larger marketing campaigns or product launch initiatives, coordinating design efforts across multiple departments.

• Potential for Senior Designer/Art Director: With demonstrated success and expanded responsibilities, opportunities may arise for more senior design roles or specialized art direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for this role emphasizes not just creative advancement but also operational expertise in asset management, workflow optimization, and the strategic application of design in a technical manufacturing environment.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site position requiring regular presence at the Milwaukee, WI office. This facilitates direct collaboration with internal teams and hands-on involvement with product and production environments.

Office Location(s): 10600 W Brown Deer Road, Milwaukee, WI 53224. This location provides accessibility within the Milwaukee metropolitan area.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role is integrated within the Digital Marketing team and requires close interaction with sales, engineering, and product development. Expect a dynamic workspace that fosters teamwork and idea exchange.

• Tools and Technology: Access to a full suite of Adobe Creative Suite software, likely including high-performance workstations. Opportunities to work with and implement new design tools, including AI-powered solutions.

• Operations Team Interaction: Regular opportunities to engage with colleagues from various departments to understand diverse needs and translate them into effective design solutions. The company's ESOP structure likely promotes a collegial and supportive atmosphere.

Work Schedule:

• Primarily a standard 40-hour work week, Monday through Friday. While the role is on-site, the emphasis on project completion and efficiency may allow for some flexibility in daily hours, subject to team coordination and business needs. The focus is on delivering high-quality work on schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature of the role is critical for fostering direct collaboration with engineering and sales teams, which is essential for understanding and accurately representing complex technical products.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications, experience, and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation & Technical Assessment: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discussing specific projects, design process, and how they've handled technical information and managed assets. This may include a practical design exercise or a discussion of design challenges.

• Manager & Team Interviews: Interviews with the Digital Marketing Manager and potentially other team members to evaluate skills, problem-solving abilities, communication style, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a higher-level manager to discuss strategic alignment and long-term contributions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Technical Design Expertise: Prioritize projects that demonstrate your ability to design clear, organized, and visually appealing technical documents (catalogs, spec sheets, manuals).

• Highlight Asset Management & Efficiency: Include examples or explanations of how you manage digital assets, maintain file hygiene, and implement workflow efficiencies (e.g., using templates, batch processing, automation).

• Demonstrate Brand Stewardship: Present projects where you consistently applied brand guidelines and ensured a cohesive visual identity across various collateral types.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): Where feasible, include metrics or results that illustrate how your design work contributed to campaign success, improved user engagement, or streamlined processes.

• Explain Your Process: Be prepared to walk through your design process for key projects, explaining your rationale, problem-solving approach, and collaboration methods.

Challenge Preparation:

• Technical Design Scenarios: Be ready to discuss how you would approach designing a complex product specification sheet or a multi-page installation guide, focusing on clarity and accuracy.

• Workflow Optimization Questions: Anticipate questions about how you would improve asset management, streamline design production, or implement new tools for efficiency.

• Brand Consistency Scenarios: Prepare to answer how you would ensure brand consistency across a wide range of materials or handle a situation where brand guidelines are unclear.

• Collaboration and Communication: Practice articulating how you collaborate with non-design stakeholders (engineers, sales) and gather requirements effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio showcasing technical design, asset management, and process efficiency, alongside the typical interview stages, indicates a role that values structured output and operational impact as much as creative flair.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Expert proficiency required, with a specific focus on:

  • Adobe InDesign: For layout, typesetting, and creating multi-page documents like catalogs, spec sheets, and installation guides.
  • Adobe Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, icons, and complex illustrations.
  • Adobe Photoshop: For image editing, retouching, and creating digital assets.

• Digital Asset Management (DAM) System: Experience with or ability to quickly learn and manage a DAM system for organizing, storing, and retrieving media assets.

• AI-Assisted Design Tools: Familiarity with or willingness to learn and integrate AI tools for tasks like image generation, content summarization, or workflow automation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Website Analytics (e.g., Google Analytics): Basic understanding to inform website banner and landing page design effectiveness.

• Marketing Automation Platform (e.g., HubSpot, Marketo): Familiarity with how design assets function within email campaigns and marketing automation workflows.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM (e.g., Salesforce): Awareness of CRM systems and how marketing collateral may be used in sales enablement.

• Batch Image Processing Software: Tools like Adobe Bridge or dedicated batch processors to efficiently manage and prepare large volumes of images.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core requirement is Adobe Creative Suite, with strong emphasis on InDesign for technical documentation. The mention of DAM and AI tools points to a need for a designer who embraces efficiency and modern workflow management.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Technical Communication: A commitment to clarity, accuracy, and visual appeal in translating complex technical information for diverse audiences.

• Brand Stewardship: Dedication to maintaining and elevating the R & B Wagner Inc brand identity across all touchpoints, ensuring consistency and professionalism.

• Efficiency and Process Improvement: A proactive approach to identifying and implementing more effective design workflows, utilizing technology and automation to maximize output.

• Collaboration and Teamwork: A strong belief in working together across departments to achieve shared business objectives, valuing input from stakeholders.

• Ownership Mentality: As an employee-owned company, a culture that encourages taking responsibility, contributing to long-term success, and acting with integrity.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively engages with sales, engineering, and product teams to gather requirements, ensure technical accuracy, and align design solutions with business goals.

• Process Review and Feedback: Open to constructive feedback on designs and processes, participating in reviews to refine work and improve team output.

• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share design expertise, best practices, and insights on new tools and techniques with the marketing team and other relevant departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's ESOP structure likely fosters a culture of mutual respect, shared responsibility, and a collective drive for quality and efficiency, which the Graphic Designer is expected to embody.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity with Technical Accuracy: The primary challenge will be to create visually appealing designs while ensuring the precise and clear communication of complex technical specifications and product details.

• Managing Diverse Project Demands: Juggling multiple projects simultaneously, from detailed technical documents to dynamic marketing campaigns, requiring strong prioritization and time management skills.

• Keeping Pace with Evolving Design Tools: Continuously learning and integrating new design software, AI tools, and automation techniques to maintain efficiency and stay competitive.

• Translating Technical Jargon: Effectively understanding and simplifying highly technical language and concepts for various audiences without losing essential meaning.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Technical Design Specialization: Opportunities to become a subject matter expert in designing for architectural products and manufacturing, deepening understanding of materials, engineering, and construction processes.

• Digital Asset Management Expertise: Development into a lead role for the company's DAM system, potentially involving strategy and implementation.

• AI and Automation Integration: Becoming a champion for adopting and leveraging AI and automation in design workflows, leading to significant process improvements.

• UX/UI and Digital Strategy: Expanding skills in user experience and user interface design, contributing more significantly to digital marketing efforts and website optimization.

• Industry Conferences and Training: Access to professional development opportunities to stay current with design trends, tools, and best practices in manufacturing and marketing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to bridging the gap between creative design and technical operations, while growth opportunities lie in becoming a specialized expert who drives efficiency and innovation within the company's specific industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Technical Design Approach: "Describe your process for designing a complex product catalog or specification sheet. How do you ensure accuracy and clarity when dealing with technical data?" (Focus on systematic steps, stakeholder consultation, and iterative review).

• Workflow Optimization: "How would you approach improving the efficiency of our digital asset management system or design production workflow? What tools or processes would you consider?" (Highlight experience with DAM, batch processing, automation, and AI).

• Brand Consistency: "Imagine you're given a new product launch with limited brand guidelines. How would you ensure the new collateral aligns with our existing brand identity?" (Discuss research, consultation, and developing extension guidelines).

• Collaboration and Requirements Gathering: "How do you typically work with engineers or sales teams to gather information and ensure your designs meet their needs?" (Emphasize active listening, asking clarifying questions, and managing expectations).

Company & Culture Questions:

• Understanding of ESOP: "What interests you about working for an employee-owned company like R & B Wagner Inc?" (Show appreciation for shared ownership, long-term vision, and collaborative culture).

• Design's Role in Manufacturing: "How do you see graphic design contributing to the success of a manufacturing company that produces architectural products?" (Connect design to brand perception, sales enablement, customer education, and technical communication).

• Handling Feedback: "Describe a time you received constructive criticism on a design. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?" (Demonstrate openness to feedback and a commitment to improvement).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative of Impact: For each project, tell a story: the challenge, your role, your process, the solution, and the outcome (quantifiable if possible).

• Highlight Process and Efficiency: Clearly articulate the steps you took, any tools or automation you used, and how you managed the project. Showcase your understanding of workflow.

• Focus on Technical Examples: Give prominence to projects involving technical documentation or complex information design.

• Demonstrate Brand Consistency: Show how you applied brand guidelines consistently across different collateral types.

• Be Prepared for Detail: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, software techniques, and your understanding of the target audience.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily lean on demonstrating not just creative skill but also operational diligence, a structured approach to design, and an understanding of how design functions within a manufacturing context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

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

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature projects demonstrating technical design expertise (catalogs, spec sheets), digital asset management practices, and brand consistency. Prepare to discuss your process and any efficiency improvements you implemented.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop), experience with technical documentation, and any skills related to asset management, automation, or AI tools. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving approaches, and how your work contributes to operational efficiency and business objectives. Be ready to discuss your experience with an ESOP company and the manufacturing industry.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with R & B Wagner Inc, their products, target markets (architects, contractors, engineers), and their commitment to being an employee-owned company. Understand how design supports their mission.

⚠️ 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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