Contract Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Contract Graphic Designer

Company: Forestry Suppliers

Location: Jackson, Mississippi, United States

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Production

Date Posted: 2026-04-15

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role serves as the primary creative production resource for the marketing department, focusing on delivering a consistent volume of professional design assets.

• The position involves a monthly retainer engagement, emphasizing a collaborative partnership with the marketing team rather than a project-based queue.

• Responsibilities include producing visual content for email campaigns, social media, print materials, and digital advertising, all aligned with established brand standards.

• This contract role is positioned as a potential stepping stone to a full-time in-house designer position, with performance and cultural alignment being key factors for future consideration.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is for a Contract Graphic Designer, not a traditional operations role. The enhanced description will reflect the unique nature of this contract position, focusing on creative production within a marketing operations context. While not a direct Revenue Operations or Sales Operations role, it contributes to the Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy through visual asset creation for marketing campaigns.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce professional graphic assets, banners, and visual layouts for all scheduled marketing email campaigns, ensuring brand consistency and correct rendering across devices and email clients.

• Develop and maintain reusable email templates that adhere to brand standards and integrate seamlessly with email marketing platforms like Listrak.

• Create engaging graphics for social media feed posts, stories, and paid advertisements across platforms such as Meta, adapting existing campaign visuals for social channel use.

• Design print-ready artwork for direct mail campaigns, including flyers, brochures, and postcards, ensuring files meet the specifications of print production partners and postal requirements.

• Produce digital ad creative and web banner assets in all required sizes and formats for online placement, maintaining brand consistency across all digital touchpoints.

• Collaborate closely with the VP of Marketing for creative direction and with the Digital Campaign Coordinator for production timing and file specification adherence.

• Manage a monthly deliverable scope with minimal oversight, ensuring all assets are produced within the agreed-upon cadence tied to the marketing campaign calendar.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are heavily focused on execution and production of creative assets, rather than strategic campaign planning or decision-making, which are handled by the VP of Marketing. The role requires strong attention to detail regarding file specifications and brand guidelines for various channels.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: No specific educational requirements are listed, but a strong portfolio demonstrating relevant skills is paramount.

Experience: 2-5 years of professional graphic design experience, with a proven track record in producing assets for digital and print marketing channels.

Required Skills:

• Strong portfolio showcasing professional work across digital and print mediums, including email graphics, social media assets, print materials, and digital advertisements.

• Demonstrated experience in designing specifically for email marketing, social media platforms, and print production workflows.

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, for creating and editing design assets.

• Ability to consistently deliver production-ready files in the correct formats and dimensions required for each specific channel and platform (e.g., Listrak, Meta Business Suite).

• Excellent attention to brand consistency, with the capacity to meticulously work within established visual standards and style guides.

• Reliable communication skills, including responsiveness within one business day and proactive communication regarding any timeline concerns or potential issues.

• Self-directed work ethic with strong deadline-driven capabilities, enabling the management of a monthly deliverable scope with minimal supervision.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in e-commerce, catalog design, or direct mail environments.

• Familiarity with the forestry, outdoor, or B2B industrial industries.

• Experience with email marketing platforms such as Listrak, Klaviyo, or similar tools.

• Familiarity with Meta Business Suite ad creative specifications and requirements for paid social campaigns.

• Proximity to Jackson, MS.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a strong portfolio and specific software proficiency (Adobe Creative Suite) is critical. The "preferred" skills indicate areas where a candidate could differentiate themselves, particularly industry familiarity and experience with specific marketing automation tools relevant to the company's operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio that clearly demonstrates professional quality and versatility across digital and print design.

• Specific examples of email graphics, social media assets, print collateral (brochures, flyers), and digital advertising creative.

• Evidence of ability to maintain brand consistency and adhere to style guides across diverse asset types.

Process Documentation:

• While formal process documentation is not explicitly required, the portfolio should implicitly demonstrate an understanding of production workflows for various channels (email, social, print, web).

• Examples of how assets were prepared for specific platforms (e.g., file formats, dimensions, resolution) will indicate an understanding of technical specifications.

• The ability to adhere to a monthly production cadence and manage deliverables suggests a capacity for personal workflow management and time-bound task execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a contract design role, the "portfolio" is the primary form of process and system demonstration. It needs to showcase not just the final output but also the candidate's understanding of the technical requirements and brand adherence necessary for each deliverable.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a contract role with a monthly retainer, specific hourly or project rates are not provided. Compensation will be negotiated based on experience, scope of work, and market rates for contract graphic designers with similar skill sets in the Jackson, MS area. A typical range for a contract graphic designer with 2-5 years of experience in a mid-sized US market could fall between $30-$55 per hour, or a monthly retainer equivalent, depending on the volume and complexity of deliverables.

Benefits:

• This is an independent contractor position; therefore, no employment benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, or other typical employee benefits are provided.

• The contractor is responsible for their own software licenses, equipment, and professional tools.

Working Hours: The role is based on a monthly retainer and requires an estimated 40 hours per week to meet the ongoing creative production demands. While flexibility is implied for a contract role, the need for consistent monthly deliverables tied to a campaign calendar suggests a reliable, near full-time commitment. Occasional in-person meetings in Jackson, MS, will be required.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the contract nature, the salary is a negotiation point. The hourly rate estimation is based on general market data for contract graphic designers in the US, adjusted for a mid-sized market like Jackson, MS, and the specified experience level. The absence of benefits is a critical point for contractors.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Forestry Suppliers operates within the retail and distribution sector, specifically serving the needs of forestry professionals, researchers, and enthusiasts. This context implies a need for designs that resonate with a target audience interested in outdoor, scientific, and potentially B2B industrial products.

Company Size: Forestry Suppliers is likely a medium to large-sized enterprise, given the need for a dedicated marketing department with a VP and a Campaign & Operations Coordinator, alongside the establishment of this contract role. Such a size offers opportunities for structured processes and clear brand guidelines, but also requires efficient execution from creative partners.

Founded: Forestry Suppliers was founded in 1977. This long history suggests a stable company with established brand recognition and a deep understanding of its market. The company likely has a well-defined brand identity that the designer will need to uphold.

Team Structure:

• The designer will be part of the marketing department, reporting to the VP of Marketing for creative direction.

• A key collaborator will be the Digital Campaign Coordinator, who will manage production timing and file specifications.

Methodology:

• The marketing department operates on a campaign calendar, with monthly planning meetings to define deliverables.

• Creative direction is provided by the VP of Marketing, with a focus on brand standards and campaign objectives.

• Production is handled by the contract designer, with deployment managed by the Digital Campaign Coordinator.

• A data-driven approach to campaign performance is implied, as the designer's work directly impacts campaign effectiveness.

Company Website: http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's industry and long history suggest a need for design that is professional, perhaps leaning towards informative and trustworthy, rather than overly trendy. The team structure emphasizes clear lines of communication and dependency, which is typical in a well-organized marketing department.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at an entry to mid-level for a contract graphic designer, focusing on execution within defined parameters. It requires proficiency in core design tools and the ability to produce assets according to specifications. The "creative production resource" aspect highlights a focus on reliable output.

Reporting Structure: The designer reports to the VP of Marketing for creative direction and collaborates closely with the Digital Campaign Coordinator for workflow and technical details. This clear reporting line ensures efficient project management.

Operations Impact: The designer's work directly supports marketing campaigns, impacting customer engagement, brand perception, and ultimately, sales. High-quality, on-brand visuals are crucial for the effectiveness of email, social media, and print marketing efforts. The role contributes to the overall Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy by ensuring visual communication aligns with marketing objectives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Direct Path to Full-Time: The most significant growth opportunity is the potential to transition into a full-time in-house Graphic Designer position, as explicitly stated in the job description. This path is contingent on strong performance, cultural fit, and the eventual establishment of the full-time role.

• Skill Expansion: While the role focuses on execution, consistent work across various channels (email, social, print, digital ads) will naturally enhance the designer's portfolio and experience in platform-specific requirements.

• Industry Familiarity: Preferred skills suggest an opportunity to build familiarity with the forestry, outdoor, or B2B industrial sectors, which could be valuable for future roles in similar industries.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of this role being a "first step toward a full-time in-house designer position" is a major draw for ambitious contract designers. Growth is framed around performance and potential conversion to a permanent role, rather than internal promotions within a contract structure.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role requires occasional in-person meetings in Jackson, MS, suggesting a hybrid work arrangement. The primary work will be performed remotely, with the expectation of bringing your own equipment and software.

Office Location(s): Jackson, Mississippi. The requirement for occasional in-person meetings means candidates located in or near Jackson, MS, will have an advantage.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Work: The majority of the work will be performed remotely, requiring the contractor to have a suitable home office setup.

• Collaboration: While remote, collaboration with the VP of Marketing and Digital Campaign Coordinator will be managed through communication channels. The occasional in-person meetings facilitate team building and direct collaboration.

• Tools & Technology: The contractor is responsible for their own industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite preferred) and equipment. File sharing will be conducted via an agreed-upon method.

Work Schedule: The role is described as requiring approximately 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time commitment, even though it's a contract position. This implies a need for consistent availability and adherence to deadlines, though some flexibility in daily hours may exist as long as deliverables are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature and remote-first approach, balanced with occasional in-person needs, is typical for many contract roles. The emphasis on the contractor providing their own tools highlights the independent nature of the engagement.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application Review: Focus will be on the submitted portfolio and resume to assess design skills, experience, and adherence to requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discussing key projects, their role in them, design choices, and how they met client briefs. This is where brand consistency and platform-specific knowledge will be evaluated.

• Creative Direction & Collaboration Discussion: An interview may involve discussing how the candidate receives and implements creative direction from a superior (e.g., VP of Marketing) and collaborates with other team members (e.g., Campaign Coordinator).

• Technical Requirements & Workflow Assessment: Questions may probe understanding of file formats, print production processes, and digital asset optimization.

• Cultural Fit & Contractual Understanding: Assessment of how well the candidate aligns with the team's collaborative style and understanding of the contractor relationship (responsibilities, lack of benefits).

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best represent the required skills: email graphics, social media assets, print materials, and digital ads. Prioritize work that demonstrates strong brand adherence and attention to detail.

• Showcase Process: For key projects, briefly explain the brief, your design process, challenges faced, and how you arrived at the final solution. Highlight how you met technical specifications for different platforms.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): While difficult for graphic design, if any of your designs contributed to measurable campaign success (e.g., higher click-through rates on an email), mention it.

• Highlight Brand Consistency: Include examples where you successfully worked within established brand guidelines or style guides.

• Organize Clearly: Ensure your portfolio is easy to navigate, with clear labeling for each project and its relevance to the job requirements.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your approach to a hypothetical design challenge based on Forestry Suppliers' brand and marketing needs.

• Practice articulating your design decisions and how they align with marketing objectives and brand standards.

• Be ready to discuss your workflow for managing multiple deliverables with competing deadlines within a monthly cycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is the central piece of the application. Candidates must be prepared to not only present their work but also to discuss their process, technical understanding, and ability to work within a defined creative direction and brand framework.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign are strongly preferred and expected. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in these industry-standard tools for creating professional print and digital assets.

• Industry-Standard Design Software: While Adobe Suite is preferred, the contractor must use tools capable of producing print-ready and web-optimized files.

• File Sharing Method: The contractor will need to use an agreed-upon file-sharing service (e.g., Dropbox, Google Drive, WeTransfer) for delivering organized and clearly named files.

Analytics & Reporting: Not directly applicable to the designer's primary responsibilities, but understanding how their assets contribute to campaign metrics (e.g., email open rates, social engagement, ad performance) is beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• Email Platforms: Familiarity with platforms like Listrak (specifically mentioned) or similar email service providers is preferred, as assets must be compatible with their requirements.

• Social Media Platforms: Knowledge of Meta Business Suite specifications for ad creative is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily focused on design production tools. The primary requirement is mastery of the Adobe Creative Suite and the ability to produce technically sound, platform-ready assets.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Brand Adherence: A core value will be the commitment to maintaining and upholding Forestry Suppliers' established brand standards and visual identity across all creative output.

• Reliability & Consistency: As a contractor providing a consistent monthly cadence of work, reliability in meeting deadlines and delivering high-quality assets is paramount.

• Proactive Communication: Open and timely communication regarding project status, potential issues, or timeline concerns is essential for effective collaboration.

• Efficiency: The ability to manage a defined scope of work efficiently and produce assets without excessive revisions demonstrates a commitment to operational effectiveness.

Collaboration Style:

• Execution-Oriented: The designer will work under the creative direction of the VP of Marketing, focusing on executing the vision rather than defining it.

• Cross-Functional Interaction: The designer will need to collaborate closely with the Digital Campaign Coordinator to ensure assets meet technical specifications and are ready for deployment.

• Feedback Integration: While the VP sets direction, the designer should be open to feedback and revisions to ensure final assets meet requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is likely professional and goal-oriented. The emphasis on contract work suggests a need for self-starters who can integrate into a team's workflow without requiring extensive management, while still being receptive to direction and feedback.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Execution with Brand Constraints: Delivering engaging designs while strictly adhering to established brand guidelines and technical specifications for multiple channels can be challenging.

• Managing Monthly Cadence and Scope: Consistently producing a high volume of diverse assets on a rolling monthly basis requires strong time management and organizational skills.

• Remote Collaboration Nuances: Effectively collaborating and receiving creative direction from a distance, especially without the immediate feedback loop of an in-office environment.

• Adapting to Industry Specifics: If the designer is new to the forestry or B2B industrial sectors, understanding the target audience and appropriate visual language will be a learning curve.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Portfolio Enhancement: The primary development opportunity is building a robust portfolio with diverse, production-ready assets for email, social, print, and digital ads, directly applicable to future marketing roles.

• Platform Proficiency: Gaining practical experience with the technical requirements of platforms like Listrak and Meta Business Suite.

• Industry Exposure: Developing an understanding of design needs within the forestry, outdoor, or B2B industrial markets.

• Pathway to Full-Time: The explicit opportunity to be considered for a full-time role represents significant career growth potential.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are focused on the practical execution and management aspects of a contract creative role. Growth is framed around skill development through consistent application and the potential for full-time employment conversion.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking creative direction from a VP of Marketing and translating it into final design assets." (Focus: implementation, understanding hierarchy)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across a wide range of marketing materials, from email banners to print brochures?" (Focus: brand adherence, attention to detail)

• "Walk us through a project where you had to meet specific technical file requirements for multiple platforms (e.g., email, social, print). What were the challenges and how did you overcome them?" (Focus: technical proficiency, problem-solving)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working with Forestry Suppliers and our target audience?" (Focus: industry interest, research)

• "How do you approach collaboration with team members like a Campaign Coordinator who manage deployment and technical specifications?" (Focus: teamwork, communication)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with Impact: Begin your presentation with your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase the required skills (email, social, print, digital ads).

• Tell a Story: For each project, briefly explain the objective, your role, the design process, any specific challenges, and the final outcome. Highlight how you met technical specifications and brand guidelines.

• Showcase Versatility: Demonstrate your ability to adapt your style and approach to different media and audiences.

• Be Ready for Technical Deep Dives: Be prepared to discuss file formats, resolution, color modes (RGB vs. CMYK), and output settings for print and web.

• Practice Your Pitch: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it flows well, is concise, and effectively highlights your qualifications and enthusiasm.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily emphasize the candidate's portfolio, their ability to follow direction, manage their workload independently, and understand the nuances of a contract role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this contract graphic designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Trakstar hiring platform.

• Curate a Targeted Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio prominently features examples of email graphics, social media assets, print materials, and digital advertisements. Prioritize projects that demonstrate strong brand adherence and technical proficiency for various platforms.

• Optimize Your Resume: Highlight your experience with Adobe Creative Suite, email marketing design, social media graphics, and print production. Clearly state your contractor status and relevant years of experience.

• Prepare for Portfolio Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio, articulating your design process, technical considerations, and how you met specific project requirements and brand standards. Be ready to discuss your approach to receiving creative direction.

• Research Forestry Suppliers: Familiarize yourself with their current marketing efforts, brand aesthetic, and target audience to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding during the interview process.

⚠️ 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.