Graphic Designer at SD WHEEL CORP

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: SD WHEEL CORP

Location: Wrightstown, Wisconsin, United States

Job Type: Full Time

Category: Marketing / Creative & Media / Art & Design

Date Posted: 2026-09-04T22:03:24

Experience Level: 2-5 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Develop and execute high-quality, platform-specific graphic content that aligns with company branding to meet monthly division goals and enhance customer experience.
Create engaging social media graphics for platforms like Instagram and Facebook, including lifestyle posts and sponsored ad creatives, leveraging advanced Adobe Creative Suite knowledge.
Design industry-leading emails, website content layouts, and branded product/apparel designs that follow brand tone and drive engagement within the digital advertising purchase funnel.
Utilize market and platform knowledge to write creative content descriptions that align with the call to action of graphic content, and track/report graphic metrics daily.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is focused on visual content creation for marketing and e-commerce purposes, with a strong emphasis on social media engagement, email campaigns, and product branding. The "badass social media feeds" and "digital advertising purchase funnel" language suggests a results-oriented approach to creative work, requiring the designer to be aware of marketing objectives and performance metrics.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

Create high-quality, platform-specific graphic content that aligns with company branding to help meet monthly division goals.
Develop lifestyle posts and advertisement graphics for sponsored posts on platforms like Instagram & Facebook.
Use market & platform knowledge to write creative content descriptions that align with the call to action of graphic content.
Stay up to date with market trends to communicate with customers effectively through graphic content.
Take product photos that showcase company lifestyle while promoting brand awareness.
Prioritize multiple projects and deliver high-quality designs on-time, occasionally within tight deadlines with minimal assistance from the content lead.
Assist in developing the skills of fellow graphic designers.
Accurately track & report graphic metrics daily, with a full understanding of all metrics, targets, and division goals.
Make continuous improvements to the customer experience through graphic design with minimal assistance.
Creatively assist in the development & brainstorming of Enterprise brands & promotions.
Assist with the development of new brand logos, colors, and tone, and help develop brand guidelines.
Design, organize, and coordinate digital assets for email campaigns/flows and digital marketing uses, communicating design ideas verbally and in writing with the email team/lead.
Create layouts and mock-ups for web-based graphic projects, effectively using layout, typography, spacing, and critical thinking.
Provide and drive new creative concepts, balancing brand consistency with innovation.
Create apparel or product concepts when needed, including mock-ups and assisting with the in-house ordering and handout process for employee orders.
Assist in the creation & marketing for all apparel & branded products.
Manage project workflow, including planning, creation, editing, and scheduling/posting to social media platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are granular, detailing specific tasks across social media, email, web, and product design. The emphasis on "little assistance" and "minimal assistance" suggests a need for a self-starter with strong project management and problem-solving skills. The mention of "PPS" (likely "Profit Per Share" or a similar internal metric) indicates a need to understand business impact.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

High School Graduate or General Education Degree (GED) required.
Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design, Web Design, Communications, or Marketing is preferred. Experience:
Minimum of 2+ years of graphic design experience.
Minimum of 1+ year of marketing experience.
Prior experience in e-commerce is preferred.
Prior experience with Automotive Photography is a plus. Required Skills:
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, InDesign).
Strong understanding of graphic design principles, including layout, typography, and spacing.
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, for collaborating with teams and articulating design ideas.
Social Media Marketing expertise, with a focus on creating engaging content for platforms like Instagram and Facebook.
Email design and campaign coordination experience.
Web design fundamentals, including creating mock-ups and understanding user experience through design.
Photography skills, particularly for product and lifestyle content.
Project Management and Time Management skills to prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
Knowledge of Marketing principles and brand development.
Familiarity with Google & Facebook Analytics for tracking and reporting graphic metrics. Preferred Skills:
Experience in e-commerce environments.
Experience with Automotive Photography.
Ability to develop new brand logos, colors, and tones.
Understanding of brand guidelines and their development.
Experience creating branded product and apparel designs.
Ability to assist in developing the skills of junior designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements combine technical design skills with marketing acumen and project management capabilities. The preference for e-commerce and automotive photography experience suggests a focus on visually marketing products in these specific sectors. The mention of developing junior designers indicates potential for mentorship.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Demonstrate a strong portfolio showcasing high-quality graphic design work across various mediums, including social media graphics, email campaigns, web mock-ups, and branded product/apparel designs.
Include case studies or examples that highlight your ability to translate marketing objectives into compelling visual content that drives engagement and website traffic.
Showcase proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, with examples that highlight advanced techniques in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
Provide evidence of understanding and applying brand guidelines, with examples of maintaining brand consistency while introducing innovative creative concepts. Process Documentation:
Illustrate your workflow for planning, creating, editing, and scheduling graphic content for social media and email campaigns.
Present examples of how you have tracked and reported on graphic metrics, demonstrating an understanding of marketing analytics (Google/Facebook Analytics) and their impact on campaign success.
Showcase your process for collaborating with marketing, email, and content leads, including how you communicate design ideas and incorporate feedback.
Include examples of how you have contributed to the development of new brand elements, such as logos, color palettes, or brand tone.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is crucial, specifically demonstrating the breadth of design applications mentioned in the responsibilities (social, email, web, product). Candidates should be prepared to discuss their process for content creation, metric tracking, and collaboration, highlighting efficiency and results.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on the experience level (2-5 years), location in Wrightstown, WI, and the scope of responsibilities, an estimated annual salary range for this Graphic Designer position would be between $55,000 and $75,000. This estimate considers industry benchmarks for graphic designers with marketing and e-commerce experience in similar regions, factoring in the need for proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and social media analytics. Benefits:
Full-time position with standard working hours (Monday-Friday).
Opportunity to contribute to a dynamic marketing team within the automotive e-commerce sector.
Potential for professional development and skill enhancement, including assisting in the development of fellow designers.
Access to company-branded products and apparel, with opportunities for custom design.
[Specific benefits such as health insurance, dental, vision, paid time off, retirement plans, etc., would typically be provided by SD WHEEL CORP and should be confirmed directly with the employer.] Working Hours:
Standard full-time position, Monday through Friday, with an expected 40 hours per week.
The role requires accurate and honest tracking of hours worked.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on provided experience level, location, and job responsibilities, aligning with typical market rates for graphic designers in similar roles and regions. Specific benefits are not detailed in the provided information and should be confirmed with the employer.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: The company operates within the automotive aftermarket, specifically focusing on wheels and related products for enthusiasts. This industry often involves a passionate customer base and requires marketing that resonates with car culture and performance.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the mention of multiple brands, an "Enthusiast Enterprise," and the need to develop skills of "fellow graphic designers" suggests a mid-sized to larger organization with dedicated marketing and creative departments. This implies a structured environment with opportunities for collaboration and defined processes.

Founded: SD Wheel was founded in 2002, indicating a company with over two decades of experience in the automotive aftermarket. This longevity suggests a stable business with established market presence and a developed understanding of its customer base and industry trends.

Team Structure:

The Graphic Designer reports to a "Division Lead" and works closely with the "Marketing" department, specifically the "Email Team/Email Lead" and "Content Lead."
There is an expectation of collaboration among graphic designers, suggesting a small team or department where knowledge sharing and peer support are encouraged.
Cross-functional collaboration will be essential with teams responsible for email campaigns, digital advertising, and potentially product development/merchandising. Methodology:
Data-Driven Content: The role emphasizes tracking and reporting graphic metrics daily, indicating a data-informed approach to content creation and marketing.
Process Optimization: The expectation to "Continuously make improvements to the customer experience through graphic design" and manage "project workflow" points to a focus on efficient processes and continuous improvement.
Brand Development & Consistency: Responsibilities include assisting with new brand logos, colors, tones, and brand guidelines, showcasing a commitment to strong brand identity and consistent messaging.

Company Website: https://www.sdwheel.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on automotive enthusiasts and its established presence suggest a culture that values passion, performance, and customer engagement. The marketing team likely operates with a blend of creative freedom and data-driven decision-making.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an individual contributor at an intermediate level (2-5 years of experience). While not a management role, there's an opportunity for growth through skill development and potentially mentorship as indicated by the responsibility to "help develop the skills of fellow graphic designers."

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports to a Division Lead, suggesting a clear line of reporting within the marketing department. This structure allows for guidance, performance feedback, and alignment with broader departmental goals.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts revenue by driving website traffic, enhancing customer experience, and supporting the digital advertising purchase funnel. Their creations are crucial for brand awareness, engagement, and ultimately, conversion for the company's products and apparel. The emphasis on metrics and division goals highlights the need for the designer to understand and contribute to business objectives.

Growth Opportunities:

Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific design areas such as advanced email automation design, e-commerce UX/UI design, or specialized photography for automotive products.
Mentorship & Leadership: Develop leadership potential by mentoring junior graphic designers, contributing to brand strategy, and taking ownership of larger creative projects.
Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain broader marketing experience by collaborating closely with digital advertising, content strategy, and product teams, potentially leading to roles in marketing management or brand management.
Industry Expertise: Become a subject matter expert in automotive aftermarket design trends and e-commerce visual merchandising.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a solid foundation for a graphic designer looking to specialize in e-commerce and automotive marketing. Growth hinges on demonstrating initiative, mastering core responsibilities, and actively contributing to team development and strategic initiatives.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The position is explicitly stated as "Onsite" in Wrightstown, WI. This indicates a traditional office environment where in-person collaboration and access to company resources are expected.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is Wrightstown, WI. The mention of "in-house ordering and handout process for Appleton employee orders" suggests a physical presence and operational hub that may include production or distribution facilities.

Workspace Context:

The environment is likely collaborative, with opportunities to interact with the Marketing department, Content Lead, and other graphic designers.
Access to necessary design tools, software (Adobe Creative Suite), and potentially photography equipment is implied.
The culture may encourage a fast-paced, results-oriented approach, especially given the emphasis on meeting deadlines and tracking metrics within the "digital advertising purchase funnel." Work Schedule:
This is a full-time position, Monday through Friday, with standard working hours. While not explicitly stated, the "non-exempt" classification typically means employees are eligible for overtime pay if they work more than 40 hours in a workweek, though the expectation is a 40-hour week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a preference for direct team collaboration and immediate access to physical assets or resources. Candidates should be prepared for a standard office environment within the automotive aftermarket industry.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

Initial Screening: Likely involves a review of your resume and portfolio to assess foundational skills and experience against the job requirements.
Portfolio Review & Discussion: Expect a dedicated session to walk through your portfolio. Be prepared to discuss your design process, creative decisions, and how your work has achieved specific marketing objectives or metrics. This is where you'll demonstrate your understanding of social media, email, and web design principles.
Skills Assessment/Challenge: A practical design challenge may be given, either during the interview or as a take-home assignment. This could involve creating a social media graphic, an email banner, or a product mock-up based on a brief, testing your speed, creativity, and adherence to brand guidelines.
Behavioral & Situational Interviews: Questions will likely focus on your problem-solving abilities, collaboration style, how you handle tight deadlines, and your approach to staying updated on design and market trends. Be ready to provide examples from your past experience.
Team/Manager Interview: Final rounds may involve meeting with the Division Lead and potentially other key stakeholders to assess cultural fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest projects that best represent the skills required for this role (social media, email, web, product design, photography).
Showcase Process & Results: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your creative process, the tools used, and most importantly, the results achieved (e.g., increased engagement, website traffic, conversions). Use metrics where possible.
Highlight Brand Consistency: Include examples where you successfully maintained or developed brand identity, showcasing your understanding of brand guidelines and tone.
Tailor to SD WHEEL CORP: If possible, create a sample graphic or mock-up that demonstrates your understanding of the automotive enthusiast market and SD WHEEL CORP's brand.
Be Ready to Discuss: Prepare to talk about your design choices, challenges you overcame, and how you collaborated with others.

Challenge Preparation:

Understand the Brief: Pay close attention to the requirements, target audience, and call to action of any design challenge.
Time Management: Practice creating designs quickly and efficiently, knowing when to focus on polishing details versus completing the core task.
Brand Alignment: Ensure your work adheres to the provided brand guidelines or, if none are given, make reasonable assumptions based on the company's existing materials.
Articulate Your Decisions: Be prepared to explain the rationale behind your design choices, just as you would during a portfolio review.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily rely on assessing practical design skills and the ability to translate creative work into tangible business results. A well-curated portfolio that demonstrates impact and a strategic approach to design challenges will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency expected in Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, and InDesign for all graphic creation tasks, from photo editing to layout design.
Social Media Platforms: Deep understanding of Instagram and Facebook for content posting, ad creation, and understanding platform-specific design requirements.
Email Marketing Platforms: Experience with designing and coordinating digital assets for email campaigns and flows (specific platform like Mailchimp, Klaviyo, etc., not specified, but general proficiency is key).
Web Design Tools: Familiarity with creating layouts and mock-ups for web projects, suggesting experience with tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar.

Analytics & Reporting:

Google Analytics: Required for tracking website traffic and understanding user behavior related to marketing campaigns.
Facebook Analytics: Crucial for measuring the performance of social media advertising and organic posts.

CRM & Automation:

While not explicitly stated, familiarity with CRM systems (like Salesforce, HubSpot) for understanding customer data and how design impacts the customer journey is beneficial.
Experience with workflow automation tools could be an advantage for efficient content scheduling and campaign management.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. Experience with specific email marketing platforms and web design tools will strengthen an application, as will a demonstrated ability to interpret and act on data from Google and Facebook Analytics.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

Results-Oriented: A strong emphasis on meeting monthly division goals, driving website traffic, and contributing to the "digital advertising purchase funnel." This means designs are not just aesthetically pleasing but are expected to perform.
Customer-Centric: The role aims to "improve the customer experience through graphic design," indicating a focus on understanding the end-user and creating content that resonates.
Brand Stewardship: Commitment to maintaining brand tone, developing brand guidelines, and ensuring consistency across all visual communications.
Continuous Improvement: Encouragement to stay updated with market trends and to "continuously make improvements" to design strategies and processes.
Collaboration & Teamwork: The expectation to assist fellow graphic designers and communicate effectively with various teams highlights the importance of a collaborative spirit.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional Integration: Close collaboration with the email team, content lead, and potentially broader marketing and product teams is essential. This involves clear communication of design ideas and project requirements.
Feedback & Iteration: The role implies an iterative design process where feedback from leads and team members is incorporated to refine creative output.
Knowledge Sharing: The mention of developing junior designers suggests a culture that values sharing expertise and best practices within the creative team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture appears to be a blend of creative passion (automotive enthusiasts) and business pragmatism (results-driven, data-informed). Candidates who can balance artistic vision with marketing objectives and thrive in a collaborative, feedback-rich environment will be a good fit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

Balancing Brand Consistency with Innovation: The need to adhere to brand guidelines while also "driving new creative concepts" can be a delicate balance. Candidates must demonstrate an ability to push creative boundaries within established frameworks.
High-Volume, Fast-Paced Environment: The mention of "tight deadlines," "prioritizing multiple projects," and "tracking metrics daily" suggests a demanding workflow. Managing time effectively and maintaining quality under pressure will be key.
Translating Data into Design: Effectively using market trends and analytics (Google/Facebook Analytics) to inform design decisions requires a blend of creative and analytical thinking.
Cross-Departmental Communication: Clearly articulating design ideas and rationale to non-designers (e.g., email leads, content leads) requires strong communication skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Specialization in E-commerce & Automotive Design: Gain in-depth experience in a specific, high-demand niche within the design industry.
Mentorship & Skill Development: Opportunities to learn from and potentially mentor other designers, enhancing leadership and communication skills.
Exposure to Marketing Strategy: Work closely with marketing leads, gaining insights into broader campaign strategy, analytics, and ROI, which can pave the way for marketing-focused roles.
Product & Apparel Design: Develop skills in designing physical products and apparel, expanding the designer's range beyond digital media.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant opportunities for growth within a specialized sector. Success will depend on the candidate's ability to navigate the challenges of a dynamic e-commerce environment and leverage learning opportunities to expand their skillset.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

"Describe a time you had to balance brand guidelines with a need for creative innovation. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Tests creative problem-solving and brand understanding.)
"How do you prioritize multiple design projects with competing deadlines? Walk us through your process." (Assesses project management and time management skills.)
"Imagine you've created a social media graphic that didn't perform as well as expected. How would you analyze the situation and what adjustments would you make for future campaigns?" (Evaluates analytical skills and ability to learn from data.)
"How do you ensure your design work aligns with marketing objectives and contributes to business goals like website traffic or conversions?" (Probes understanding of design's business impact.) Company & Culture Questions:
"What interests you about SD WHEEL CORP and the automotive aftermarket industry?" (Assesses research and genuine interest.)
"How do you stay updated on the latest graphic design trends, especially those relevant to social media and e-commerce?" (Tests proactivity and industry awareness.)
"Describe your experience working collaboratively with marketing or content teams. How do you handle feedback on your designs?" (Evaluates teamwork and communication.)
"What do you think makes a 'badass' social media feed in the automotive space?" (Tests understanding of brand voice and target audience.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
Tell a Story: For each project, explain the problem (client need/goal), your solution (design process), and the result (impact/metrics).
Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use numbers (e.g., "increased engagement by 15%", "contributed to a 10% lift in click-through rates").
Showcase Versatility: Highlight projects demonstrating your skills in social media, email, web, and product design.
Explain Technical Choices: Be ready to briefly discuss why you chose certain tools or techniques within the Adobe Suite.
Engage and Ask Questions: Make it a conversation. Ask clarifying questions about the company's current design challenges or goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to demonstrate not only your creative talent but also your strategic thinking, analytical capabilities, and ability to collaborate effectively within a results-driven marketing environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

Submit your application through the provided link on recruiting.paylocity.com.
Tailor your resume: Highlight experience in graphic design, marketing, social media, email design, and e-commerce. Use keywords from the job description, such as "Adobe Creative Suite," "Photoshop," "Illustrator," "InDesign," "Lightroom," "social media marketing," "email design," and "web design." Quantify achievements whenever possible.
Curate your portfolio: Select 5-7 of your strongest projects that showcase your proficiency in the required design areas. Be ready to discuss your process, rationale, and the results achieved for each piece.
Prepare for a design challenge: Familiarize yourself with common design tasks for social media, email, or web mock-ups. Practice creating assets quickly while adhering to brand guidelines.
Research SD WHEEL CORP: Understand their brands, target audience (automotive enthusiasts), current marketing efforts, and overall company mission. This will help you tailor your application and interview responses.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with SD WHEEL CORP before making application decisions.

Graphic Designer