Graphic Designer - 12 Month Contract

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer - 12 Month Contract

Company: Nature's Fare Markets

Location: Vernon, British Columbia, Canada

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: Marketing & Creative Operations

Date Posted: March 30, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (4 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the creation and execution of impactful, on-brand graphic designs for marketing campaigns and initiatives across multiple channels, including in-store, web, email, social media, and internal communications.

• Translate high-level campaign concepts into channel-specific layouts, ensuring optimization for format, placement, motion, and performance while maintaining conceptual integrity.

• Develop production-ready artwork for both print and digital mediums, ensuring consistency and effective messaging hierarchy that aligns with Nature's Fare Markets' brand guidelines.

• Capture and produce photo and video assets specifically for social media content, contributing to the brand's online presence and engagement strategies.

• Collaborate closely with the marketing team and cross-functional departments to build strong relationships and develop integrated campaigns that demonstrably support business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role focuses on the execution of creative assets within a marketing operations framework, requiring a strong understanding of brand consistency and channel-specific optimization. The emphasis on translating concepts into various formats highlights the need for adaptable design skills and a strategic approach to visual communication within a retail context.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Ideate and execute impactful, on-brand design for campaigns and initiatives across channels, including in-store, web, email, social media, and internal communications.

• Translate campaign concepts into channel-specific layouts, optimizing for format, placement, motion, and performance without losing the conceptual idea.

• Execute on-brand creative that ensures consistency and effective messaging hierarchy across all touchpoints.

• Develop production-ready artwork that spans both print and digital mediums, adhering to technical specifications for various outputs.

• Capture and create compelling photo and video assets specifically for social media platforms to enhance engagement and brand storytelling.

• Partner closely with the marketing team and cross-functional teams to build relationships and develop integrated campaigns that support business goals.

• Liaise with internal stakeholders and external collaborators, overseeing everything from prepress preparation to large-format production pieces.

• Receive and incorporate feedback with openness and professionalism, adapting designs quickly and translating input into thoughtful iterations.

• Manage and prioritize multiple design projects simultaneously, ensuring all timelines and deliverables are met within a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a hands-on approach to design execution, requiring the candidate to manage the full lifecycle of creative asset production from ideation to final delivery across diverse media. The requirement to manage multiple projects concurrently points to a need for strong organizational and time management skills, typical of operations-focused creative roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Degree or diploma in Graphic Design or a design-related field.

Experience: Minimum 4 years of experience in an agency or in-house creative department.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator).

• A well-rounded portfolio demonstrating expertise across both print and digital media, including large-format signage, marketing campaigns, and digital content.

• Solid understanding of prepress and print production processes.

• Extensive knowledge and experience creating content for social media platforms.

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey design concepts to both creative and non-creative stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with motion graphics and video editing tools (After Effects, Premiere).

• Experience working within a retail environment, understanding its unique design challenges and opportunities.

• Familiarity with health and wellness industries or natural/organic brands.

• Ability to handle and learn from constructive criticism in a professional manner.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements highlight a blend of technical design proficiency and practical application within a business context. The emphasis on a strong portfolio across diverse media, coupled with knowledge of print production and social media content creation, indicates a need for a versatile designer who can contribute to multi-channel marketing efforts. The preference for motion graphics and video editing experience suggests a forward-looking approach to content creation.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 4 years of design experience across print and digital media.

• Demonstrations of expertise in creating large-format signage, integrated marketing campaigns, and digital content for various platforms.

• Examples of on-brand creative execution that maintains consistency and effective messaging hierarchy.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of workflow management for multiple concurrent design projects, demonstrating timeline adherence and deliverable completion.

• Portfolios should reflect an understanding of prepress and print production processes, showcasing the development of production-ready artwork.

• Visual assets that demonstrate the ability to capture and create photo and video content specifically for social media.

• Projects that highlight collaboration with marketing teams and cross-functional departments to support business goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role, serving as the primary evidence of a candidate's design capabilities and operational execution. It must clearly demonstrate not just aesthetic skill but also the ability to produce effective, on-brand creative assets for diverse channels and formats, aligning with marketing objectives and production realities.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $55,000 - $63,000 CAD per year.

Benefits:

• 20% store discount on Nature's Fare Markets products.

• Education allowance to support professional development and learning.

• Complimentary swag, including products, food, and clothing.

• A positive work environment with opportunities for laughter, high-fives, and daily enjoyment.

Working Hours: This is a full-time contract position, typically aligning with standard 40-hour work weeks, with specific hours to be confirmed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is for a 12-month contract role in Vernon, BC, for a mid-level Graphic Designer. This range is benchmarked against similar contract positions in the Canadian market, considering the specified experience level and the cost of living in the Okanagan region. The benefits package is designed to enhance employee well-being and professional growth within the company's retail and wellness-focused culture.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Retail (Health & Wellness, Natural & Organic Foods).

Company Size: Nature's Fare Markets is a BC-based company with a significant retail presence, indicating a medium to large organization with established operational structures and a focus on community and sustainability.

Founded: The company has a history of growth within British Columbia, suggesting a stable and evolving organization with a commitment to its values and customer base.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the Marketing Team, likely working closely with Marketing Managers, Specialists, and potentially other creative roles.

• This team collaborates extensively with various departments across the organization, including store operations, merchandising, and e-commerce, to ensure cohesive brand messaging and campaign execution.

Methodology:

• Design processes are driven by campaign objectives, brand consistency, and channel-specific requirements.

• Emphasis is placed on translating strategic marketing goals into visually compelling and effective creative assets.

• Collaboration is key, with a focus on open communication and feedback loops to refine designs and ensure alignment with business needs.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Nature's Fare Markets operates within the competitive health and wellness retail sector, emphasizing natural and organic products. This context suggests a company culture that values sustainability, community, and employee well-being. The marketing team's role is crucial in communicating these values and driving customer engagement, making the Graphic Designer a vital contributor to the brand's identity and market presence.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Mid-Level contract position, requiring 4+ years of experience. It offers an opportunity to gain specific experience within a retail marketing environment and contribute to significant brand initiatives over a 12-month period.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report to a Marketing Manager or a designated creative lead within the Marketing Team.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts brand perception, customer engagement, and campaign effectiveness across all marketing channels. High-quality design work is crucial for driving sales, reinforcing brand loyalty, and communicating the company's mission and values to its target audience.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific design areas such as social media content creation, motion graphics, or video editing through project exposure and potential training.

• Industry Experience: Gain valuable experience in the health and wellness retail sector, understanding its unique marketing demands and consumer preferences.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Contribute to a diverse range of high-impact projects that will significantly enhance the designer's professional portfolio.

• Networking: Build professional relationships within the Nature's Fare Markets marketing team and across other departments, potentially opening doors for future opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a contract role, it offers substantial opportunities for professional development within a specific industry context. The emphasis on diverse channel execution and content creation for social media provides a strong foundation for further career growth in marketing design and operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an in-person role based at the Nature's Fare Markets head office in Vernon, BC. The environment is likely collaborative, with a focus on team interaction.

Office Location(s): Vernon, British Columbia, Canada (V1T 7G8). Candidates must be located within daily driving distance of this location.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to foster creativity and collaboration among the marketing and creative teams.

• Access to necessary design software and technology is expected.

• Regular interaction with marketing colleagues and cross-functional teams will be integral to the role.

Work Schedule: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week. The contract duration is 12 months, starting mid/late April 2026.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for an in-person role in Vernon, BC, emphasizes the company's preference for collaborative work environments and direct team interaction. This setup is common for creative roles where spontaneous brainstorming, feedback, and team synergy are highly valued for driving innovative design solutions.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and creative capabilities.

• Portfolio Review & Interview: A more in-depth discussion, likely with the hiring manager and/or marketing lead, focusing on specific portfolio pieces, design process, and understanding of brand objectives. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their approach to specific design challenges relevant to retail and wellness marketing.

• Skills Assessment (Potential): A short design exercise or case study may be administered to evaluate practical skills and problem-solving abilities under timed conditions.

• Final Interview: May involve meeting with additional team members or department heads to assess cultural fit and overall suitability for the contract role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Versatility: Showcase a range of work demonstrating proficiency across print, digital, social media, and large-format design.

• Demonstrate Process: Clearly articulate your design process for key projects, including ideation, concept development, iteration based on feedback, and final production.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): For past campaigns or projects, include any available metrics or outcomes that show the effectiveness of your design work, even if anecdotal.

• Tailor to Nature's Fare: Include work that aligns with the retail and health/wellness industry, or demonstrate an understanding of how your skills can be applied to this sector.

• Technical Proficiency: Clearly indicate the software used for each project and emphasize your advanced skills in Adobe Creative Suite.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss how you would approach designing assets for a specific marketing campaign (e.g., a new product launch, a seasonal promotion).

• Prepare to explain your process for optimizing designs for different channels (e.g., social media vs. in-store signage).

• Understand how to manage feedback and revisions to ensure brand consistency and meet project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process heavily relies on portfolio assessment. Candidates should meticulously curate their portfolios to showcase not only design talent but also their ability to execute effectively within a marketing operations framework, manage projects, and collaborate with stakeholders.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Advanced proficiency required in InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator. This is the core toolkit for all design work.

• Motion Graphics & Video Editing (Asset): Experience with After Effects and Premiere Pro is a strong asset, indicating a need for skills in dynamic content creation for digital and social media channels.

• Prepress Software: Familiarity with tools and processes for preparing files for print production.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the Graphic Designer role, but awareness of how marketing assets integrate with CRM and marketing automation platforms used by the marketing team would be beneficial for understanding campaign context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily focused on design software. Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. The preference for After Effects and Premiere Pro suggests a growing need for dynamic visual content, aligning with modern digital marketing strategies.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Brand Consistency: A strong emphasis on maintaining a cohesive and recognizable brand identity across all creative outputs.

• Efficiency and Timeliness: The ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment is crucial for marketing operations.

• Collaboration and Communication: Openness to feedback, professional dialogue, and teamwork are vital for success.

• Creativity and Innovation: A drive to produce impactful and engaging designs that support business goals.

• Passion for Health and Wellness: A genuine interest in the company's mission and products is valued.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The Graphic Designer will work closely with the marketing team and other departments, requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills to ensure alignment.

• Feedback-Oriented: An environment where constructive criticism is welcomed and used to refine designs and improve outcomes.

• Solution-Focused: A proactive approach to problem-solving, particularly in translating marketing objectives into effective visual solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to value a blend of creative excellence and operational efficiency. Team members are expected to be collaborative, adaptable, and passionate about the brand's mission, contributing to a supportive and productive work environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Brand Guidelines: Ensuring designs are innovative and visually appealing while strictly adhering to Nature's Fare Markets' brand standards.

• Managing Multiple Project Demands: Effectively prioritizing and delivering high-quality work for various concurrent campaigns and initiatives in a fast-paced setting.

• Adapting to Channel-Specific Requirements: Translating core campaign concepts into optimized designs for diverse platforms, each with unique technical and user engagement considerations.

• Incorporating Feedback: Skillfully integrating constructive criticism from various stakeholders into design iterations while maintaining creative integrity.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Design Skills: Opportunity to hone skills in motion graphics, video editing, and social media content creation if these are areas for development.

• Retail Marketing Acumen: Gaining in-depth knowledge of design strategies specific to the health and wellness retail sector.

• Project Management: Enhancing skills in managing project timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder communications within a contract framework.

• Portfolio Building: Contributing to a significant body of work for a well-regarded BC-based company, strengthening professional credentials.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a mid-level designer in a dynamic marketing environment. The growth opportunities are significant, particularly for a contract role, offering practical experience and skill enhancement relevant to modern digital marketing and brand management.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a marketing campaign brief from concept to final design across multiple channels."

• "How do you ensure brand consistency while creating unique assets for different platforms like social media, email, and in-store signage?"

• "Walk us through a project in your portfolio where you had to adapt your design based on significant stakeholder feedback. What was your approach?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Nature's Fare Markets and our focus on health and wellness?"

• "How do you approach collaboration within a marketing team and with cross-functional departments?"

• "Describe a time you received constructive criticism on your design work. How did you handle it and what was the outcome?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or by the impact of the work. For each piece, clearly state the objective, your role, the tools used, and the outcome.

• Narrative: Tell the story behind your designs. Explain your thought process, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them.

• Visuals: Ensure all visuals are high-quality and clearly showcase the design. Use mockups where appropriate to demonstrate how the design would appear in context.

• Technical Details: Be prepared to discuss the specific software and techniques used, especially for any motion graphics or video assets.

• Relevance: Highlight projects that demonstrate your ability to create on-brand, channel-optimized content for a retail environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only design talent but also an understanding of marketing objectives, project management, and collaborative skills essential for a successful contract role. The portfolio is the primary tool for showcasing these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on the Nature's Fare Markets careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your online or PDF portfolio to prominently feature your strongest work across print, digital, and social media. Ensure it highlights your experience with Adobe Creative Suite and, if applicable, motion graphics/video editing.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 4+ years of relevant design experience, specifically mentioning any experience in agency or in-house creative departments, and any work within the retail or health/wellness sectors. Use keywords from the job description like "campaign execution," "channel-specific layouts," and "production-ready artwork."

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio pieces, articulating your design process, and answering strategy and behavioral questions. Be ready to discuss how you handle feedback and manage multiple projects.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Nature's Fare Markets' brand, products, and mission. Understand their commitment to health, wellness, and sustainability, and consider how your design aesthetic can align with and enhance their brand identity.

⚠️ 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.