Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer
Company: Chosen Foods
Location: San Diego, California, US
Job Type: Full-time
Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Operations
Date Posted: September 19, 2025
Experience Level: Mid-level (2-5 years)
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and execute creative assets across various digital platforms, with a strong emphasis on social media content creation that aligns with current cultural trends and consumer engagement strategies.
• Lead and manage packaging design projects from initial concept through to final production-ready mechanicals, ensuring brand consistency and market appeal for a growing CPG product line.
• Develop and produce essential shopper marketing materials, including point-of-sale (POS) displays, in-store signage, and retailer-specific promotional assets to drive in-store sales and brand visibility.
• Collaborate closely with marketing and creative teams, as well as external agencies, to ideate, develop, and iterate on visual content that enhances brand storytelling and campaign effectiveness across all touchpoints.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Graphic Designer," the emphasis on social media, cultural trends, fast-paced content creation, and shopper marketing suggests a role that bridges creative design with marketing operations and brand execution. This role is crucial for translating brand strategy into tangible visual assets that drive consumer engagement and sales.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce a wide range of creative assets specifically for social media platforms (Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, Meta Ads), including static posts, dynamic stories, engaging reels, animated graphics, and short-form video content.
• Spearhead packaging design initiatives, encompassing label updates, entirely new label designs, and ensuring all packaging adheres to brand guidelines and regulatory requirements.
• Create compelling shopper marketing collateral such as POS displays, shelf talkers, aisle violators, retailer-specific promotional graphics, and sell sheets to support trade marketing efforts.
• Continuously monitor and integrate pop culture, internet trends, and emerging design innovations within the CPG and lifestyle sectors to inform fresh, relevant content ideas and visual strategies.
• Actively partner with agencies and internal marketing stakeholders to brainstorm, design, and refine visual content for rapid deployment, testing, and optimization to maximize engagement.
• Maintain and evolve brand consistency across all visual outputs while strategically pushing creative boundaries to capture attention in competitive consumer markets.
• Support the creation of supporting marketing materials, including email marketing graphics, digital advertising banners, and visually impactful internal presentations.
• Prepare and deliver final design files in various formats and specifications required for diverse platforms and print production, ensuring accuracy, quality, and brand integrity.
• Contribute positively to a collaborative team environment by bringing enthusiasm, innovative ideas, and a receptiveness to feedback and iterative design processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer who is not only skilled in traditional graphic design but also highly adaptable to the fast-paced digital marketing landscape, particularly social media, and has a strong understanding of retail and shopper marketing principles. The expectation to "push creative boundaries" while maintaining brand consistency is key.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Marketing, or a related field is typically expected for this level of role, although equivalent practical experience may be considered.

Experience: A minimum of 4 years of professional graphic design experience, gained through in-house corporate roles, freelance engagements, or agency environments, is required. This experience should demonstrate a proven track record in developing creative assets for both digital and print media.

Required Skills:

• Graphic Design Mastery: Advanced proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite, with a strong emphasis on Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, for creating polished and effective visual assets.
• Social Media Savvy: A deep understanding of social media platforms, their unique content requirements, emerging trends, and what constitutes engaging visual content that resonates with online audiences.
• Packaging Design Expertise: Proven ability to design and execute packaging artwork, from initial concept to final production-ready files, for consumer packaged goods.
• Shopper Marketing Acumen: Experience in creating effective point-of-sale (POS) materials, in-store signage, and other retail-specific visual merchandising assets.
• Content Creation: Demonstrated skill in producing high-quality visual content for a variety of channels, particularly digital and social media.
• Brand Consistency: Ability to maintain and enforce brand guidelines while creatively adapting assets for different applications.
• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the capacity to effectively receive and incorporate feedback from cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Organization & Detail Orientation: Strong organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Motion Graphics & Video Editing: Proficiency in motion graphics software such as Adobe After Effects for creating animated content, reels, and engaging video elements.
• Videography & Photography: Skills in basic videography and photography for content creation, capturing product shots, or supporting campaign visuals.
• Canva Proficiency: Experience utilizing Canva for rapid design tasks, template creation, and empowering non-designers with branded assets.
• AI Creative Tools: Familiarity with and enthusiasm for leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Adobe Firefly, Midjourney) for creative development, content ideation, and workflow efficiency.
• CPG & Food Industry Passion: A genuine interest in the food and wellness industry and a passion for brand storytelling within this space.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preference for motion graphics, video editing, photography, and AI tools indicates a forward-thinking approach to digital content creation, essential for staying competitive in the CPG space. Experience with Canva suggests a need for efficiency and potentially empowering other teams with design capabilities.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio that showcases a diverse range of design work, specifically highlighting experience in:
  • Digital Content: Examples of social media graphics, digital ads, and web assets.
  • Packaging Design: Finished packaging artwork, including labels and structural considerations if applicable.
  • Shopper Marketing: Mockups or examples of POS displays, in-store signage, or retail promotional materials.
• Visuals demonstrating an understanding of brand consistency and the ability to adapt design across different media and platforms.
• Case studies or explanations that detail the design process, challenges, and the impact of the visual solutions provided.

Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly stated as a requirement for the designer, the role implies an understanding of design workflows, including:
  • Project brief interpretation and creative concept development.
  • Iterative design processes involving feedback and revisions.
  • File preparation and handover for various production channels (digital, print, packaging).
  • Brand asset management and version control.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role. It should not only demonstrate aesthetic skill but also the ability to execute designs that serve specific marketing objectives in digital, retail, and packaging contexts. The emphasis on social media trends and fast-turn content suggests a need for efficient design processes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry standards for a Graphic Designer with 2-5 years of experience in San Diego, CA, the estimated salary range is typically between $60,000 - $80,000 annually. This can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, portfolio, and the company's compensation philosophy.

Benefits: While specific benefits are not detailed in the provided description, typical offerings for a full-time role at a company like Chosen Foods may include:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holidays
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with company match
• Employee discounts on Chosen Foods products
• Opportunities for professional development and training
• Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives

Working Hours: The role is listed as full-time, implying a standard 40-hour work week. The description notes a fast-paced environment, suggesting potential for occasional overtime to meet project deadlines, particularly around campaign launches or product releases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general market data for graphic designers in the San Diego area with the specified experience level. Chosen Foods, as a growing CPG company, likely offers a competitive benefits package to attract and retain talent. The "fast-paced environment" suggests that flexibility and dedication to meeting deadlines are expected.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Chosen Foods operates in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry, with a specific focus on healthy food products derived from avocado oil. Their market position as a leader in avocado oil products signifies a dynamic and growing business. Company Size: Chosen Foods is experiencing rapid growth. While exact employee numbers aren't provided, their market leadership suggests a company that has moved beyond startup phase into a more established, scalable operation, likely employing between 50-250 individuals. This size typically offers a balance between established processes and a less bureaucratic, more agile work environment. Founded: The founding date is not specified, but their product portfolio and market leadership indicate a company with a solid history and a clear vision for growth and innovation in the healthy food sector.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will likely be part of the Marketing or Creative team, reporting to a Marketing Manager, Creative Director, or Brand Manager.
• This team will collaborate closely with other departments, including Product Development, Sales, and E-commerce, to ensure cohesive brand messaging and execution across all functions.
• The structure likely encourages cross-functional interaction, allowing the designer to gain a holistic understanding of the business and its market strategies.

Methodology:

• The company's mission to "do good in the world by being good for the world" suggests a culture that values sustainability, health, and positive impact.
• The emphasis on rapid growth and "fast-paced content creation" implies a data-informed approach to marketing, with an expectation for agility, experimentation, and data-driven decision-making in design and campaign execution.
• A collaborative approach to problem-solving and idea generation is evident from the mention of working with agencies and marketing teams.

Company Website: chosenfoods.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Chosen Foods appears to be a mission-driven company with a strong brand identity in the health and wellness space. The culture likely values innovation, speed, and a passion for healthy living, which should be reflected in the designer's portfolio and approach. The growth trajectory indicates opportunities for impact and contribution.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level Graphic Designer. It requires a solid foundation of design skills and a few years of professional experience, with a clear focus on executing marketing and brand initiatives. It's a hands-on role with significant responsibility for visual output.

Reporting Structure: This position will likely report to a Creative Lead, Marketing Manager, or Director of Marketing. The designer will be expected to work independently on assigned projects while also being an integral part of the broader marketing and creative team, collaborating with peers and stakeholders.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the company's brand perception, customer engagement, and sales performance. High-quality, on-trend visuals are crucial for:

• Brand Awareness & Equity: Shaping how consumers perceive Chosen Foods' quality, health, and lifestyle positioning.
• Social Media Engagement: Driving interaction, follower growth, and brand loyalty on key digital platforms.
• Sales Conversion: Supporting sales efforts through effective shopper marketing materials and compelling product packaging.
• Marketing Campaign Success: Providing the visual assets necessary for integrated marketing campaigns across digital and retail channels.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like social media content creation, motion graphics, packaging design, or digital advertising design.
• Creative Leadership: Potential to grow into a Senior Graphic Designer or Art Director role, taking on more strategic design direction and mentorship responsibilities.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gaining exposure to broader marketing strategy, product development, and sales initiatives, which could lead to career paths in brand management or marketing.
• Industry Expertise: Developing specialized knowledge in CPG marketing and the healthy food sector, making them a valuable asset in this niche.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for a designer to grow within a rapidly expanding CPG company. Success in this role can lead to increased responsibility, specialization, and potential leadership opportunities, particularly for those who demonstrate adaptability and a strong understanding of marketing objectives.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in a professional office environment with an open floor plan. This setup typically fosters collaboration and communication among team members. Office Location(s): The primary location is San Diego, California. As a growing company, they may have a main office or potentially multiple smaller facilities. The description implies a standard office setting.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Atmosphere: The open floor plan is designed to encourage interaction and teamwork, facilitating quick discussions and idea sharing among the marketing and creative teams.
• Tools & Technology: The workspace will be equipped with standard office equipment, including computers, phones, and printers. Access to design software and hardware will be essential for the role.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with marketing managers, brand specialists, and potentially sales teams will be frequent, allowing for a dynamic work experience where design is integrated with business objectives.

Work Schedule: The position is full-time, likely adhering to standard business hours (e.g., 9 AM - 5 PM Pacific Time), with a 40-hour work week. However, the fast-paced nature of the company and the demands of the creative industry may require some flexibility to meet project deadlines, potentially involving occasional evening or weekend work during peak periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The open office plan suggests a culture that values communication and teamwork. Candidates should be comfortable working in such an environment and be prepared for the possibility of occasional extended hours to meet critical project timelines, especially given the company's rapid growth and focus on dynamic content creation.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: HR or a recruiter will likely conduct an initial phone or video screen to assess basic qualifications, interest, and cultural fit.
2. Portfolio Review & Skills Assessment: Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, discussing key projects, design processes, and how their work aligns with Chosen Foods' brand and marketing objectives. This may involve a practical design test or case study.
3. Hiring Manager Interview: A more in-depth interview with the hiring manager (e.g., Marketing Manager, Creative Director) focusing on experience, approach to design challenges, understanding of social media and CPG markets, and collaboration style.
4. Team/Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with potential team members or stakeholders from other departments (e.g., Sales, Product) to evaluate collaboration skills and how well the candidate integrates with the wider organization.
5. Final Interview/Offer: A final conversation, potentially with senior leadership, followed by a job offer if all stages are successful.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Relevance: Prioritize projects that demonstrate skills directly applicable to the job description: social media graphics, packaging design, and shopper marketing.
• Tell a Story: For each project, explain the brief, your role, the design process, challenges overcome, and the results or impact achieved. Quantify results where possible (e.g., engagement rates, sales uplift).
• Highlight Trends & Adaptability: Include examples that show you understand current visual trends, especially in social media, and how you adapt your style to different platforms and objectives.
• Demonstrate Technical Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio clearly shows your command of Adobe Creative Suite and any other relevant tools.
• Professional Presentation: Organize your portfolio logically and present it cleanly. Be prepared to discuss your design choices and rationale confidently.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Test: Be ready for a design challenge that might involve creating social media assets, a mock-up for packaging, or a shopper marketing concept based on a given brief.
• Trend Analysis: Prepare to discuss current social media trends, successful CPG marketing campaigns, and your thoughts on the Chosen Foods brand's visual identity.
• Problem-Solving: Think about how you would approach designing for different objectives (e.g., driving engagement vs. promoting a new product) and how you handle feedback.
• AI Tool Integration: Be prepared to discuss how you might use AI tools to enhance your workflow or creative output for this role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's portfolio and their ability to translate design skills into tangible marketing outcomes for a CPG brand. Demonstrating an understanding of social media trends and a proactive approach to adopting new technologies like AI will be advantageous.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency required in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for all core design tasks, including digital assets, packaging, and print collateral.
• Adobe After Effects: Highly desirable for creating motion graphics, animations, social media reels, and dynamic visual content.
• Canva: Expected proficiency for rapid design needs, template creation, and potentially empowering other teams with branded assets.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary tool for the Graphic Designer, understanding how design impacts performance will be key. Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., social media analytics, website analytics) to interpret the effectiveness of visual campaigns would be a plus.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core responsibilities of a Graphic Designer, but awareness of marketing automation platforms for email campaigns or digital ad deployment could be beneficial for understanding asset integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily focused on design software. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable, with a strong emphasis on After Effects and Canva for modern content creation needs. An understanding of how design integrates with broader marketing technology is a bonus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: A drive to produce fresh, engaging, and visually compelling content that stands out in the market.
• Brand Stewardship: A commitment to maintaining brand integrity and consistency across all visual touchpoints, while also pushing creative boundaries.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: An emphasis on working effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners, valuing input and shared success.
• Agility & Speed: The ability to adapt quickly to changing trends and project demands in a fast-paced environment.
• Passion for Health & Food: An enthusiasm for the company's mission and products, bringing authentic energy to the brand's visual storytelling.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The designer will work closely with marketing, sales, and potentially product teams, requiring clear communication and a collaborative approach to understand campaign objectives and product requirements.
• Agency Partnerships: The role involves collaborating with external agencies, necessitating clear briefs, constructive feedback, and an ability to manage agency relationships effectively.
• Feedback Culture: An open and receptive attitude towards feedback is crucial for iterative design processes and continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture likely values a blend of creative excellence, strategic thinking, and a passion for their product category. Candidates who can demonstrate strong collaborative skills and an ability to thrive in a dynamic, feedback-rich environment will be a good fit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Pace of Content Creation: Keeping up with the demand for fresh, engaging content, especially for social media, in a fast-paced CPG environment.
• Balancing Brand Consistency with Trend Relevance: Maintaining a cohesive brand identity while constantly adapting to new visual trends and platform requirements.
• Managing Multiple Stakeholder Needs: Juggling design requests and feedback from various internal teams and external partners.
• Adapting to Evolving Digital Landscape: Staying ahead of new social media features, design tools (including AI), and consumer engagement tactics.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to deepen expertise in motion graphics, video editing, or specific design software through training or project experience.
• CPG Marketing Insights: Gaining a deeper understanding of marketing strategies, consumer behavior, and retail dynamics within the CPG and food industries.
• Brand Strategy Involvement: Potential to contribute more significantly to brand strategy and creative direction as experience grows within the company.
• Exposure to New Technologies: Learning to effectively integrate AI tools into the creative workflow, positioning the candidate at the forefront of design innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents opportunities for significant professional growth by tackling the challenges of a dynamic CPG market and embracing new creative technologies. Success here can lead to greater creative autonomy and strategic involvement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How do you stay current with social media trends and translate them into effective visual content for a brand like Chosen Foods?" (Focus on process, platforms, and brand alignment.)
• "Describe a time you had to balance strict brand guidelines with a need for creative innovation. How did you approach it?" (Highlight problem-solving, creativity within constraints, and stakeholder management.)
• "Walk me through your process for designing packaging from initial concept to final production files. What are the key considerations?" (Demonstrate workflow, attention to detail, and understanding of production requirements.)
• "How would you approach creating a shopper marketing campaign for a new Chosen Foods product launch in a specific retail environment?" (Showcase strategic thinking, understanding of retail, and visual problem-solving.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Chosen Foods and our mission?" (Research the company's values, products, and recent activity.)
• "How do you approach receiving and giving creative feedback?" (Emphasize collaboration, communication, and a growth mindset.)
• "Describe your ideal team environment and how you contribute to it." (Align your answer with the company's culture, highlighting collaboration and positivity.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Structure: For each key project, present a clear narrative: the challenge, your role, the solution (your design), and the outcome/impact. Use visual aids effectively.
• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use data to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., engagement rates for social media posts, sales impact of packaging).
• Showcase Versatility: Ensure your portfolio demonstrates a range of styles and applications relevant to the job description (social, packaging, shopper marketing).
• Highlight Trend Awareness: Point out projects where you successfully incorporated current visual trends or adapted designs for specific platforms.
• Discuss AI Integration: Be prepared to discuss how you might leverage AI tools in your design process for Chosen Foods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview will focus on both technical design skills and strategic application. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their creative process, demonstrate an understanding of the CPG market and social media, and showcase their ability to contribute to a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Chosen Foods careers portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight experience most relevant to CPG, social media design, packaging, and shopper marketing. Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible and showcases your best work in these areas.
• Resume Optimization: Clearly list your proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and any other relevant design software. Use keywords from the job description (e.g., social media, packaging design, shopper marketing, content creation). Quantify achievements where possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on the narrative behind each project. Prepare to discuss your understanding of current design and social media trends, and how you would apply them to the Chosen Foods brand.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Chosen Foods' brand, products, mission, and recent marketing campaigns. Understand their target audience and their position in the healthy foods market. Be ready to articulate why you are a good fit for their culture and brand.

⚠️ 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.