Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Shimano Europe Group

Location: Madrid, Spain

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing / Creative Operations

Date Posted: April 22, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the creation and production of diverse online and offline marketing collateral, ensuring adherence to brand guidelines and visual excellence.

• Act as the primary visual communication expert for product launches, campaigns, retail merchandising, and promotional activities.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with Product Management, Press & Communication, and Retail Marketing teams to translate complex information into compelling visual assets.

• Contribute to the foundational development of graphic design workflows, processes, and priorities within a newly established function.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a foundational "build from the ground up" graphic design function within Shimano Spain's Marketing team. This implies a significant opportunity for the candidate to shape processes, establish best practices, and define the visual identity strategy for local activations, moving beyond a purely execution-focused role. The emphasis on translating technical product information suggests a need for strong analytical interpretation skills alongside creative execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce comprehensive online and offline marketing materials, including product launch assets, integrated campaigns, detailed catalogues, point-of-sale (POS) materials, advertisements, dynamic social media content, and engaging event collateral.

• Facilitate direct collaboration with Shimano's Europe headquarters to effectively implement global campaigns and adapt visual identity elements for localized activations, ensuring brand consistency and regional relevance.

• Provide critical day-to-day design support to Product Managers, transforming technical product specifications and features into clear, visually appealing, and on-brand marketing materials that resonate with target audiences.

• Assist the Press & Communication department by creating professional press kits, high-quality imagery, impactful presentations, and essential corporate materials that support media outreach and public relations efforts.

• Support the Retail Marketing team by developing effective in-store materials, impactful signage, engaging displays, and compelling promotional assets designed to enhance the customer shopping experience and drive sales.

• Serve as a vigilant brand guardian, meticulously ensuring that all visual executions strictly comply with established brand guidelines, visual standards, and corporate identity protocols.

• Maintain and meticulously organize product content and image databases, acting as the central point for providing necessary visual assets internally to various departments and externally to partners and agencies as required.

• Effectively manage multiple design projects and deadlines simultaneously within a fast-paced environment, demonstrating strong organizational and time management capabilities.

• Ensure all produced content rigorously complies with licensing agreements, copyright laws, and all applicable usage rights, mitigating legal risks.

• Actively contribute to the strategic development of design workflows, prioritization frameworks, and operational processes as this role is being established for the first time within Shimano Spain.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "Contribute to the development of workflows, priorities and processes, as this role is being created from scratch" indicates a strategic component beyond pure design execution. Candidates should highlight experience in process improvement, system implementation (even if informal), and workflow optimization within creative teams.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Fine Arts, or a closely related creative field.

Experience: Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in graphic design, with a strong preference for experience within marketing departments, brand management teams, or product-driven organizations, ideally within the sports or outdoor recreation sectors.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated proficiency and hands-on experience with the Adobe Creative Suite, specifically InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, for professional design production.

• Strong understanding of visual communication principles, typography, color theory, and layout design.

• Proven ability to work autonomously, manage individual workload, and proactively drive projects forward while also collaborating effectively with diverse internal departments and external partners.

• Highly structured, detail-oriented approach to work, with a proven ability to prioritize requests from multiple stakeholders in a dynamic environment.

• Possession of a proactive, solution-oriented mindset, demonstrating an aptitude for building processes and finding innovative solutions rather than solely executing assigned tasks.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with motion graphics software (e.g., After Effects) for dynamic social media or video content creation.

• Familiarity with content management systems (CMS) or digital asset management (DAM) systems.

• Basic understanding of print production processes and pre-press requirements.

• Experience in designing for digital platforms, including web banners, email marketing assets, and social media advertising.

• A genuine passion for sports, particularly cycling and outdoor sports, to better understand and connect with Shimano's brand and target audience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for fluency in both Spanish and English, coupled with the mention of direct relation to "Europe headquarters," strongly suggests that the candidate will need to be adept at translating brand guidelines and campaign assets from English into Spanish, and potentially vice-versa for local initiatives being shared with HQ. This dual-language proficiency is a critical, non-negotiable aspect for this role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a diverse range of completed design projects, demonstrating proficiency across various mediums (print, digital, social media, POS).

• Specific examples of marketing collateral designed for product launches, campaigns, and retail environments that clearly illustrate brand adherence and creative problem-solving.

• Case studies or project examples that highlight the process of translating technical or complex information into accessible and visually engaging designs.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of workflow documentation or process mapping for design projects, illustrating how projects were managed from brief to final delivery.

• Evidence of experience in establishing or contributing to design process improvements, such as feedback loops, approval stages, or asset organization strategies.

• Demonstration of how design projects were measured for effectiveness and how insights were used for future iterations or process adjustments.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given this is a new role, the portfolio should emphasize not just execution but also strategic thinking, process initiation, and problem-solving. The candidate should be prepared to discuss how they would build processes and manage projects from the ground up, using their past experiences as examples of their capabilities.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €28,000 - €40,000 annually.

This estimate is based on the mid-level experience requirement (2-5 years), the specific skills required (Adobe Creative Suite proficiency, dual-language fluency), and the location in Madrid, Spain. Research indicates that Graphic Designers with this profile in Madrid typically fall within this range. Adjustments may be made based on the candidate's specific experience and portfolio strength.

Benefits:

• Pleasant, informal working environment: Fosters a collaborative and supportive atmosphere among colleagues.

• International environment: Opportunity to work with a diverse team and engage with global stakeholders, enhancing cross-cultural communication skills.

• Team achievement focus: Emphasis on collective success and contribution to shared goals, promoting a strong sense of camaraderie and purpose.

• Opportunity to build a function: Significant professional development by shaping a graphic design department from its inception.

• Professional development: Chance to work on diverse projects across various marketing disciplines.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, standard business hours. The role is on-site, requiring full-time presence at the Madrid office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical market rates for a Graphic Designer with 2-5 years of experience in Madrid, Spain. The provided benefits are directly from the job description, emphasizing the company's focus on culture and team dynamics.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Sports & Recreation (specifically Cycling, Fishing, Rowing, and related outdoor sports equipment). Shimano is a global leader known for its high-quality components and apparel.

Company Size: Shimano Europe Group is part of a large multinational corporation. The local Spanish entity is likely a medium-sized operation, with the Graphic Designer role being a new addition to the Marketing team, suggesting growth and investment in local capabilities.

Founded: Shimano was founded in 1921 in Japan. Shimano Europe Group operates as a key regional hub, bringing global innovation and product excellence to the European market.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be an integral part of the Marketing department, likely reporting to a Marketing Manager or Head of Marketing for Spain.

• The role involves close collaboration with Product Management, Press & Communication, and Retail Marketing specialists within the Spanish team.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Visuals: While not explicitly stated, the role's connection to Product Management and Retail Marketing implies a need for designs that are informed by market insights, product features, and retail performance data.

• Brand Consistency: A core methodology will be strict adherence to Shimano's global brand guidelines, adapted for local market needs, ensuring a unified brand presence.

• Agile Project Management: Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously suggests an agile approach to design workflows, prioritizing tasks based on business impact and urgency.

Company Website: https://www.shimano.com/ (Global) or potentially a Shimano Spain specific site if available.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's strong heritage in sports and its global reach suggest a culture that values precision, quality, innovation, and a deep understanding of the end-user. The "international environment" and "team achievement focus" highlight a collaborative and performance-driven ethos.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level Designer. This role is positioned as a key individual contributor responsible for core visual communication output. The "newly created position" aspect offers significant growth potential.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will likely report to a Marketing Manager or Head of Marketing within Shimano Spain. They will also work closely with Product Managers, Press & Communication, and Retail Marketing teams, and liaise with the European headquarters.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's impact is crucial for brand perception, product marketability, and sales enablement. Effective visual communication directly supports product launches, drives customer engagement, reinforces brand identity, and influences purchase decisions in retail environments. By establishing and maintaining visual excellence, this role directly contributes to the commercial success of Shimano's products in the Spanish market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Foundational Leadership: Opportunity to build and lead the graphic design function from its inception, defining processes, standards, and potentially growing a team in the future.

• Skill Specialization: Potential to deepen expertise in specific areas like digital marketing design, retail merchandising visuals, or campaign asset creation based on project needs and personal development.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Gaining in-depth knowledge of product management, public relations, and retail strategies through close collaboration, broadening understanding of the broader GTM and marketing operations.

• Brand Stewardship: Developing a deep understanding of global brand management principles and their application in local markets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "build from the ground up" nature of this role presents a unique growth trajectory. Beyond technical design skills, the candidate can develop strategic planning, process development, and cross-functional leadership capabilities, making this a significant career advancement opportunity.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is on-site at the Shimano Spain office in Madrid. This suggests a professional office environment conducive to collaboration and focused work.

Office Location(s): Madrid, Spain. This central location likely offers good accessibility via public transportation and is situated within a major European capital city.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment is described as "pleasant" and "informal," indicating a culture that encourages interaction and teamwork among colleagues.

• Tooling and Technology: While specific tools are listed under "Tools & Technology Stack," the workspace will be equipped with the necessary hardware and software for graphic design tasks.

• Cross-functional Interaction: The role requires constant interaction with other marketing specialists, product managers, and communication teams, fostering a dynamic and communicative workspace.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week. While the role is on-site, Shimano's emphasis on "team achievement" and a "pleasant, informal working environment" might suggest a degree of flexibility within the standard working hours, though this should be confirmed during the interview process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "pleasant, informal working environment" combined with the "international environment" and "team achievement focus" suggests a company culture that values both professional output and positive interpersonal relationships. The on-site nature implies a need for strong self-management and proactive engagement with colleagues.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of applications and portfolios to assess technical skills, experience, and alignment with the role's requirements, particularly the Adobe Creative Suite proficiency and dual-language fluency.

• Portfolio Presentation & Technical Assessment: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discussing their design process, creative solutions, and how they've managed projects. This may include a practical design exercise or a case study analysis focused on translating technical information into visuals for a Shimano product.

• Cross-Functional Interview: An interview with key stakeholders from Product Management, Press & Communication, and Retail Marketing to evaluate collaboration style, communication clarity, and understanding of their respective needs.

• Cultural Fit & Strategic Discussion: A final interview, potentially with a senior manager, to assess problem-solving abilities, proactive mindset, understanding of brand guardianship, and suitability for building a new function within the company culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Variety: Include examples of diverse projects, from product launches and campaigns to POS materials and social media assets.

• Highlight Process: For each project, explain your design process, the brief, your creative rationale, challenges faced, and how you achieved the desired outcome.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, provide metrics or qualitative feedback on how your designs contributed to marketing goals (e.g., engagement rates, campaign success, brand consistency).

• Demonstrate Brand Adherence: Include examples where you successfully applied or adapted brand guidelines, showcasing your ability to be a "brand guardian."

• Address "Building from Scratch": Be prepared to discuss how you would approach establishing design workflows, managing feedback, and prioritizing tasks in a new role.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Brief Interpretation: Practice interpreting complex briefs and identifying key communication objectives.

• Technical to Visual Translation: Prepare to walk through examples of how you've taken technical product details and translated them into clear, compelling visuals.

• Brand Guideline Application: Be ready to discuss your approach to understanding and strictly adhering to brand guidelines, especially for a global brand like Shimano.

• Stakeholder Management: Prepare to discuss how you manage requests from multiple stakeholders, prioritize tasks, and communicate design decisions effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on this being a "newly created position" means interviewers will be looking for candidates who are not only skilled designers but also proactive problem-solvers and process builders. The portfolio should reflect this capability.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in InDesign (for layouts, brochures, catalogues), Illustrator (for vector graphics, logos, infographics), and Photoshop (for image editing, manipulation, digital assets).

• Microsoft Office Suite: Competency in PowerPoint for presentations and potentially Word for copy integration.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this role's core functions, but understanding how marketing materials are deployed through CRM or marketing automation platforms (e.g., for email campaigns) could be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is a strong command of the Adobe Creative Suite. While other tools might be used in marketing operations, the emphasis here is on creative production software.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Execution: A commitment to producing high-quality, visually appealing designs that meet and exceed brand standards.

• Brand Stewardship: Upholding and championing the Shimano brand identity across all visual communications, ensuring consistency and integrity.

• Collaboration and Teamwork: Working effectively with diverse teams, sharing ideas, and contributing to collective marketing objectives.

• Proactive Problem-Solving: Taking initiative to identify challenges, propose solutions, and drive projects forward with a results-oriented mindset.

• Passion for Sport: A genuine appreciation for cycling, outdoor sports, and the active lifestyle that Shimano represents, fostering a connection with the brand's mission.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively engaging with Product Management, Press & Communication, and Retail Marketing teams to understand their needs and deliver tailored design solutions.

• Open Communication: Maintaining clear and consistent communication with both local Spanish teams and the European headquarters, providing updates and seeking feedback.

• Process-Oriented: Contributing to the development and refinement of design workflows, embracing constructive feedback to improve processes and project outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's emphasis on "team achievement" and a "pleasant, informal working environment" suggests a culture that values both individual contribution and collective success, with an emphasis on mutual respect and support.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Building from Scratch: The primary challenge is establishing a new graphic design function, which requires defining processes, workflows, and communication protocols with limited existing structure. This demands strong organizational and strategic thinking.

• Balancing Global vs. Local: Effectively translating global brand guidelines and campaign assets into locally relevant and impactful designs for the Spanish market while ensuring compliance.

• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Juggling requests from multiple departments (Product, Press, Retail) with varying priorities and creative expectations.

• Rapid Content Production: The fast-paced nature of marketing requires the ability to produce a high volume of quality assets under tight deadlines.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Process Development & Strategy: Gaining experience in operationalizing a creative function, which is a significant step towards management or senior operational roles.

• Brand Expertise: Deepening knowledge of global brand management and its application in a major European market.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Learning about product marketing, public relations, and retail strategies from experienced professionals within the team.

• Industry Immersion: Becoming an integral part of a leading brand in the cycling and outdoor sports industry, understanding its market dynamics and customer base.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "challenges" section highlights the unique opportunity this role presents. Candidates who thrive in ambiguity and enjoy building systems will find this role particularly rewarding. The growth opportunities are substantial due to the foundational nature of the position.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a complex product's technical specifications and translating them into a visually compelling marketing asset." (Focus on your methodology, tools, and decision-making.)

• "How would you approach establishing graphic design workflows and processes for a newly created function within a marketing department?" (Highlight your experience in process development, organization, and proactive problem-solving.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Shimano as a brand, and how does your passion for sports align with our mission?" (Connect your personal interests with the company's values and products.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across all your design work, especially when working with global brand guidelines?" (Show your understanding of brand guardianship and attention to detail.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the challenge, your solution, and the outcome.

• Showcase Process, Not Just Pixels: Explain why you made certain design choices. Highlight your problem-solving approach.

• Emphasize Brand Adherence & Adaptation: Demonstrate how you've worked within brand guidelines, and where appropriate, how you've innovated while staying on-brand.

• Be Ready for Technical Questions: Be prepared to discuss specific techniques or challenges encountered within your Adobe Creative Suite projects.

• Highlight "Building" Experience: If you have examples of setting up file structures, creating templates, or improving design workflows, be sure to weave these into your presentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's foundational nature, interviewers will be assessing not only design talent but also strategic thinking, process orientation, and the ability to operate autonomously and collaboratively. Preparing specific examples for these aspects will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this graphic design position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Shimano careers portal.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your strongest and most relevant projects that showcase your proficiency in InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, and demonstrate your ability to create diverse marketing materials (digital, print, POS). Ensure your portfolio highlights examples of translating technical information into visuals and adhering to brand guidelines.

• Tailor Your Resume: Update your resume to clearly articulate your 3+ years of graphic design experience, emphasizing achievements in marketing, brand support, and project management. Ensure keywords like "Adobe Creative Suite," "Visual Communication," "Brand Management," and "Spanish/English Fluency" are prominently featured.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice discussing your portfolio projects and your approach to design challenges. Be ready to articulate your strategy for building design processes from the ground up and managing stakeholder requests.

• Research Shimano: Familiarize yourself with Shimano's product lines, brand identity, and target audience. Understand their presence in cycling and outdoor sports to better articulate your passion and suitability for the role.

⚠️ 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.