Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer
Company: Butler Machinery Company
Location: Fargo, ND, US
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Marketing / Creative & Media / Art & Design
Date Posted: 2025-10-31
Experience Level: 4+ Years
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is crucial for translating Butler Machinery's brand identity into compelling visual narratives across diverse media platforms.
• The Graphic Designer will be instrumental in conceptualizing and executing creative assets for both internal and external audiences, ensuring brand consistency and impact.
• This position requires a strong command of design principles, proficiency in industry-standard software, and the ability to manage projects from inception through completion.
• The Graphic Designer will also contribute to content creation through photography and videography, expanding the company's multimedia capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the input lists "Graphic Designer" as the title, the detailed responsibilities and required skills firmly place this role within the Marketing and Creative operations domain, with a strong emphasis on visual communication and brand stewardship. The role involves managing print production and in-house equipment, which suggests a blend of creative execution and operational oversight within the marketing function.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with the marketing team and internal stakeholders to develop creative concepts and designs that effectively represent Butler Machinery's brand and messaging.
• Design a wide range of marketing collateral for digital, print, and video platforms, including social media advertisements, brochures, email campaigns, videos, posters, and trade show displays.
• Lead the entire creative process for design projects, from initial concept development and client brief interpretation to final production, ensuring alignment with key messaging, target audience, and campaign objectives.
• Oversee and manage all aspects of external print production and mailing processes, including vendor selection, negotiation, timeline management, and quality assurance to ensure all deliverables meet expectations.
• Manage and maintain the company's in-house, high-speed commercial printer, including vendor relationships, inventory of paper stock and toner, proactive troubleshooting, and coordinating maintenance to ensure operational efficiency.
• Continuously research and stay updated on the latest trends, software updates, and best practices within the Adobe Creative Suite and other relevant design and multimedia tools and technologies.
• Conceptualize, direct, capture, and edit high-quality photo and video content for various platforms, thereby enhancing Butler Machinery's visual storytelling capabilities and brand presence.
• Create and optimize web-ready graphics and videos, ensuring they align with website best practices for user experience and performance.
• Partner with social media managers to develop and execute graphic and video content strategies for all social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Yammer, to drive engagement and brand awareness.
• Act as a brand guardian, ensuring strict adherence to all company and partner brand standards across all creative projects executed.
• Maintain a meticulously organized digital asset management system (server) for logos, images, videos, and all creative files, ensuring easy accessibility for team members.
• Uphold and embody the mission and values of Butler Machinery in all professional activities and creative outputs.
• Undertake additional duties as assigned by management, demonstrating flexibility and a willingness to contribute to broader team goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a need for project management skills, vendor relations, and hands-on operational management of printing equipment, which goes beyond typical graphic design roles. This suggests a more integrated marketing operations function.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A 2-year Associate's degree or a 4-year Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Marketing, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• A minimum of 4 years of progressive experience in graphic design, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and specialized training.

Required Skills:

• Proven proficiency and practical experience with the Adobe Creative Suite, specifically including Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple design projects simultaneously, with a strong emphasis on meeting deadlines and maintaining high-quality standards.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, essential for effective collaboration with marketing team members, internal stakeholders, and external vendors.
• A keen eye for detail and a strong understanding of design principles, including typography, color theory, layout, and composition.
• Ability to conceptualize and execute creative ideas that align with brand guidelines and marketing objectives.
• Possess a valid driver's license and meet the company's insurability requirements.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with video editing and production software, such as Adobe Premiere Pro, is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with web optimization best practices for graphics and video content.
• Experience managing relationships with external print vendors and production houses.
• Knowledge of digital asset management (DAM) systems and best practices for file organization.
• Ability to capture and edit high-quality photographic and video content.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a valid driver's license and insurability suggests potential travel to vendor sites or company locations, which is a practical aspect for on-site roles. The preference for video editing skills further broadens the scope of this role beyond traditional graphic design.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a diverse range of successful graphic design projects that demonstrate proficiency across various media (digital, print, video).
• Include case studies or project examples that highlight your process from concept to final execution, detailing problem-solving approaches and creative decision-making.
• Provide examples of work that adhere to strict brand guidelines, demonstrating an understanding of brand consistency and integrity.
• Present examples of projects where you managed external production or vendor relationships, illustrating your ability to ensure quality and timely delivery.
• Include work that showcases your ability to optimize graphics and video for web and digital platforms, demonstrating an understanding of performance metrics.

Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your personal workflow for managing design projects, from initial brief to final delivery, including time management and prioritization strategies.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the print production process, including file preparation, color management, and vendor communication.
• Be ready to explain how you approach the creation and organization of digital assets to ensure efficient retrieval and usage.
• Present examples of how you have used feedback to iterate on designs and improve project outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a creative role like this, a strong portfolio is paramount. The emphasis here is on demonstrating not just aesthetic skill but also process management, problem-solving, and brand stewardship, which are key to success in a marketing operations context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for a Graphic Designer with 4+ years of experience in Fargo, North Dakota, a competitive salary range is estimated between $55,000 - $75,000 annually. This range reflects the required experience, skill set, and the cost of living in the Fargo metropolitan area.

Benefits:

• Retirement Plan: Generous employer contribution of 10% annually, with an additional up to 5% discretionary contribution provided annually once eligibility is met.
• Health Insurance: Comprehensive coverage with 3 plan options available.
• Health Savings Account (HSA): Employer contributes up to $1,300 annually to support healthcare expenses.
• Dependent Care Flex Spending Account: Financial flexibility for childcare expenses.
• Dental Insurance: Choice of 2 plan options to suit individual needs.
• Vision Insurance: Coverage for eye care needs.
• Life Insurance: Basic Life/AD&D and Supplemental Life Insurance options.
• Short-Term Disability (STD): Employer-paid coverage providing 60% of base pay/salary.
• Long-Term Disability (LTD): Financial protection for extended periods of disability.
• Maternity/Paternity Benefits: Support for new parents.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous accrual of paid time off.
• Holidays: Company-recognized paid holidays.
• 401(K) Plan: Retirement savings plan.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential support services, including Health Coaching.
• SmartDollar: Employer-paid financial planning program.
• Legal Shield/ID Shield: Access to legal services and identity theft protection.
• Voluntary Benefits: Options including Cancer Insurance, Accident Insurance, and Hospitalization Insurance.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work schedule, typically 40 hours per week. Some flexibility may be available depending on project demands and team coordination, but the role is primarily on-site.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is derived from data for similar roles in Fargo, ND, considering the experience level. The benefits package is exceptionally strong, particularly the retirement contributions, which are a significant differentiator.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Heavy Equipment Dealership & Services (e.g., Construction, Agriculture, Power Systems). Company Size: Over 900 associates across 20 locations. Founded: Over 70 years ago, with a history as a family business for three generations.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the Marketing team, likely reporting to a Marketing Manager or Director.
• The team structure emphasizes collaboration, with designers working alongside marketing specialists, content creators, and potentially sales support personnel.
• Cross-functional collaboration is key, involving frequent interaction with various departments across the company to understand their visual communication needs.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Creativity: While creative, designs should be informed by marketing objectives and target audience insights.
• Process Optimization: Focus on streamlining design workflows, managing print production efficiently, and maintaining organized digital assets.
• Brand Stewardship: A core methodology is ensuring consistent application of brand guidelines across all visual communications.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Butler Machinery's long history and family business structure suggest a culture that values stability, long-term relationships, and potentially a strong sense of community and employee loyalty. The large number of associates and locations indicates a well-established and robust operational framework.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level to Senior Designer. This role requires significant independent work and project leadership within the design function. Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will likely report to a Marketing Manager or Director, functioning as a key individual contributor within the marketing department. Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts brand perception, customer engagement, lead generation (through marketing materials), and internal communications, all of which are critical to the company's overall business success and revenue generation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Develop deeper expertise in areas like video production, animation, advanced digital design, or motion graphics.
• Brand Management: Potentially grow into a Brand Design Lead role, overseeing brand consistency across all visual assets.
• Marketing Operations Integration: Gain exposure to broader marketing strategy, campaign management, and analytics, potentially leading to roles in marketing operations or campaign management.
• Leadership Development: Opportunity to mentor junior designers or interns as the team grows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's longevity and growth suggest a stable environment with potential for long-term career development within the organization, particularly for those who demonstrate strong performance and a commitment to the company's values.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site within a corporate office setting. Office Location(s): Fargo, ND. The company has multiple locations across several states, but this specific role is based in Fargo.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, fostering interaction with the marketing team and other departments.
• Access to necessary design software and hardware, including the in-house commercial printer, will be provided.
• Opportunities for hands-on creative work, including potentially directing photoshoots or video productions, are part of the dynamic environment.

Work Schedule:

• A standard 40-hour work week is expected. The role is primarily on-site, requiring consistent presence for collaboration and operational tasks like printer management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature of the role, coupled with the management of physical equipment like the commercial printer, indicates a hands-on and integrated work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application Review: Resumes and portfolios will be screened for relevant experience and creative skills.
• Portfolio Presentation/Screening: Candidates may be asked to present a curated selection of their work, discussing their process, design choices, and impact. This is a critical step.
• Hiring Manager Interview: An interview with the hiring manager to assess skills, experience, cultural fit, and understanding of the role's responsibilities.
• Team/Cross-functional Interview: Potential interviews with marketing team members or stakeholders from other departments to evaluate collaboration and communication style.
• Skills Assessment/Test: A practical design exercise or a test related to print production or video editing might be administered to evaluate hands-on capabilities.
• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership for final approval.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-8 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase a range of skills (digital, print, video, branding).
• Tell a Story: For each project, explain the brief, your creative process, the challenges you faced, your solutions, and the measurable outcomes or impact.
• Highlight Process: Clearly articulate your workflow, decision-making, and how you collaborated with stakeholders.
• Demonstrate Brand Adherence: Show examples where you successfully applied or adapted brand guidelines.
• Showcase Technical Proficiency: Include examples that demonstrate mastery of Adobe Creative Suite and any video editing software.
• Quantify Impact: If possible, include metrics related to engagement, conversions, or cost savings achieved through your designs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a design challenge that might involve creating a concept for a specific marketing campaign or adapting existing assets.
• Practice articulating your design rationale clearly and concisely.
• Be ready to discuss how you would manage the production of a piece from concept to final delivery, including vendor interaction.
• Research Butler Machinery's current branding, marketing efforts, and the industries they serve to inform your approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is the most critical component for this role. Candidates should prepare to deeply discuss their work, demonstrating not just creativity but also strategic thinking and operational understanding of the design and production lifecycle.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:
  • Adobe InDesign: For layout and print design (brochures, posters, etc.).
  • Adobe Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital graphics.
  • Adobe Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, and illustrations.
  • Adobe Premiere Pro: (Preferred) For video editing and production.
• In-house Commercial Printer: Requires hands-on management, troubleshooting, and maintenance coordination.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) to understand the performance of web-optimized graphics and videos.
• Ability to interpret basic performance metrics for digital marketing campaigns.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how marketing collateral integrates with CRM and marketing automation platforms (e.g., email campaign builders) is beneficial for context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. The responsibility for managing an in-house printer adds a unique operational requirement not typically found in standard graphic design roles.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: Encouraging fresh ideas and novel visual solutions.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively with internal teams and external partners.
• Quality & Excellence: Maintaining high standards in all design outputs and production processes.
• Customer Focus: Designing with the end-user (customer or teammate) in mind.
• Integrity & Professionalism: Upholding company values and ethical standards in all work.
• Efficiency: Streamlining processes, particularly in production and file management.

Collaboration Style:

• The role requires a highly collaborative approach, working closely with marketing managers, content specialists, and potentially sales teams to align visual content with strategic goals.
• Open communication and a willingness to provide and receive constructive feedback are essential for iterating on designs and ensuring project success.
• This role will also involve managing external vendor relationships, requiring clear communication and negotiation skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's long-standing history as a family business likely fosters a culture that values loyalty, long-term relationships, and a supportive environment. These values will likely permeate the marketing team's interactions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Brand Consistency: Ensuring innovative designs always align with established brand guidelines.
• Managing Multiple Projects and Deadlines: Juggling diverse design requests from various departments under tight timelines.
• Mastering In-House Production: Becoming proficient in managing and troubleshooting the commercial printer, ensuring its optimal performance.
• Rapidly Evolving Digital Landscape: Staying current with new design trends, software features, and platform best practices for digital media.
• Cross-Functional Communication: Effectively translating the needs and feedback of diverse stakeholders into visual assets.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Software Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly in video editing and motion graphics.
• Industry Workshops and Conferences: Attending events focused on graphic design, digital marketing, and creative technologies.
• Cross-Departmental Exposure: Gaining a broader understanding of sales, service, and operations to better inform design strategy.
• Project Leadership: Taking ownership of significant design initiatives and potentially mentoring junior team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's commitment to employee development, as evidenced by its benefits package (SmartDollar, EAP), suggests a supportive environment for continuous learning and professional growth.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a project from a client brief to final delivery, including how you manage feedback and revisions." (Focus on workflow, communication, and problem-solving.)
• "How do you ensure your designs align with brand guidelines while still being creative and innovative?" (Demonstrate balance between strategy and creativity.)
• "Walk us through a challenging print production project you managed. What were the key issues, and how did you resolve them?" (Highlight project management, vendor relations, and problem-solving.)
• "How do you approach creating visual content for different platforms like social media, web, and print?" (Show understanding of platform-specific optimization.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Butler Machinery and the industries we serve?" (Research the company, its products, and its market position.)
• "How do you see your design skills contributing to our company's mission and values?" (Connect your values and approach to the company's stated mission.)
• "Describe your ideal team environment and how you contribute to a collaborative atmosphere." (Emphasize teamwork and communication style.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Presentation: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by media type, by project complexity, or by showcasing your strongest work first.
• Context is Key: For each project, clearly explain the objective, your role, the target audience, your creative solution, and the outcome.
• Be Ready for Technical Questions: Prepare to discuss software specifics, file formats, and production considerations.
• Showcase Your Process: Explain why you made certain design choices. This is as important as the final output.
• Enthusiasm and Professionalism: Convey your passion for design and your professionalism throughout the presentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a blend of creative talent, technical proficiency, project management skills, and cultural fit. Demonstrating an understanding of the company's business and industry will be a significant advantage.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application, resume, and a link to your online portfolio through the ADP application portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your most relevant work, especially examples of print design, digital graphics, and any video production. Tailor your selection to highlight projects that align with B2B marketing or industrial sectors, if possible.
• Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your experience with Adobe Creative Suite, print production management, and any video editing capabilities. Use keywords from the job description and quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Increased engagement by X% through social media graphics").
• Interview Preparation: Practice discussing your portfolio pieces in detail, focusing on your creative process, problem-solving skills, and project management approach. Prepare specific examples of how you've managed vendor relationships and ensured quality in production.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Butler Machinery, their brand, their products (heavy equipment for agriculture, construction, etc.), and their current marketing efforts. Understand their industry context to better align your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

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

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