Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Herban Quality Control / Point Management

Location: Columbia, MO

Job Type: Full Time

Category: Marketing & Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-01-15

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3+ years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Responsible for the creation and execution of visually compelling creative assets supporting both retail and wholesale marketing strategies within the cannabis industry.

• Collaborates cross-functionally with marketing, wholesale, and operations teams to ensure brand consistency, regulatory compliance, and impactful campaign delivery.

• Manages the end-to-end design process from concept development to final production-ready file preparation for diverse print and digital applications.

• Applies strong design principles, including typography, layout, and brand systems, to enhance customer and partner experiences across all touchpoints.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Graphic Designer," the responsibilities clearly indicate a role deeply integrated with marketing operations and GTM strategies, requiring an understanding of how design directly supports sales enablement, retail execution, and brand positioning in a regulated industry. This role bridges creative execution with operational effectiveness.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Retail Creative Development: Design a wide array of in-store marketing collateral, including signage, menus, posters, and digital screen content, to enhance the customer journey and support promotional activities.

• Wholesale & Brand Creative: Develop essential wholesale materials such as sell sheets, brand decks, packaging assets, vendor POS kits, and trade show collateral to support business development and partner engagement.

• Brand Standards & Compliance: Rigorously ensure all creative output adheres to established Shangri-La brand guidelines and all applicable cannabis advertising regulations, working closely with legal and compliance teams.

• Production & Asset Management: Prepare and deliver production-ready files for various print and digital vendors, efficiently manage design revisions, and maintain an organized library of design assets and templates.

• Collaboration & Execution: Partner effectively with marketing, wholesale, and operations departments to translate business objectives into creative solutions, managing multiple projects and deadlines in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for operational efficiency in design execution. This includes managing a high volume of requests, adhering to strict compliance requirements inherent in the cannabis industry, and ensuring seamless integration of creative assets into broader marketing and sales campaigns, demonstrating a strong link to GTM operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating foundational design education and practical application is essential. Equivalent practical experience will be considered.

Experience: Minimum of three (3) years of professional graphic design experience, with a preference for candidates who have experience within the cannabis, consumer packaged goods (CPG), or retail sectors.

Required Skills:

• Graphic Design Proficiency: Demonstrated expertise in creating high-impact visual assets for both print and digital media.

• Adobe Creative Suite Mastery: Advanced proficiency in industry-standard design software, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

• Typography & Layout Expertise: A deep understanding of typographic principles, layout composition, and visual hierarchy to create clear, effective designs.

• Brand Systems Knowledge: Ability to understand and apply complex brand guidelines to maintain visual consistency across all creative outputs.

• Project Management: Proven ability to manage multiple design projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced setting.

• Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to design execution, ensuring accuracy in all aspects from concept to final file delivery.

Preferred Skills:

• Cannabis Industry Experience: Familiarity with the unique design challenges and regulatory landscape of the cannabis market.

• CPG/Retail Design Acumen: Experience designing for product packaging, point-of-sale displays, and retail environments.

• Digital Design Skills: Experience with digital ad creation, social media graphics, and web design elements.

• Print Production Knowledge: Understanding of print processes, color management, and pre-press requirements.

• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to effectively work with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "cannabis, CPG, or retail preferred" suggests that candidates with experience in highly regulated or consumer-facing industries will have an advantage. This implies a need for design that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also strategically aligned with sales objectives and compliant with industry-specific regulations, a common requirement in GTM operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated Design Versatility: Showcase a range of projects that highlight your ability to design for diverse applications (e.g., in-store signage, digital ads, packaging, sell sheets).

• Brand Consistency Examples: Provide examples of how you have maintained brand integrity across multiple campaigns or product lines.

• Problem-Solving Through Design: Include case studies or project descriptions that illustrate how your design solutions addressed specific marketing or business challenges.

• Production-Ready File Examples: If possible, include examples or descriptions of how you prepare files for print and digital production, demonstrating an understanding of workflow.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Be prepared to discuss your typical design workflow, from initial brief to final asset delivery, and how you manage revisions and feedback.

• Collaboration Integration: Demonstrate how you integrate with marketing and operational teams to gather requirements, present concepts, and incorporate feedback effectively.

• Compliance Adherence: Explain your approach to ensuring designs meet regulatory requirements, especially within industries like cannabis.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role that supports marketing and wholesale, the portfolio should emphasize not just creative talent, but also the ability to produce compliant, on-brand assets efficiently. This requires showcasing an understanding of production workflows and how design directly contributes to sales and marketing objectives within a structured operational framework.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $45,000 - $50,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans.

• Life Insurance: Standard Life Insurance coverage, with options for additional coverage.

• Income Protection: Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability insurance.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous Paid Time Off for work-life balance.

• Employee Discounts: Discounts on company products and services.

Working Hours: Full Time, typically 40 hours per week, with an on-site work environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is typical for a mid-level Graphic Designer position in Columbia, MO. The comprehensive benefits package, including disability and additional life insurance, suggests a company that invests in employee well-being and long-term stability, which can be attractive to operations professionals focused on career longevity.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Cannabis Retail and Wholesale. This industry is characterized by rapid growth, evolving regulations, and a strong emphasis on branding and customer experience.

Company Size: The provided data does not specify exact company size, but the mention of "retail and wholesale channels" and a "marketing team" suggests a growing organization with established operational structures.

Founded: The company's founding date is not specified, but its origin story emphasizes a commitment to professionalism, education, and presentation, with design playing a critical role.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of a marketing team, collaborating closely with marketing and operations departments.

• This implies a cross-functional, project-oriented team dynamic where designers support various business units.

Methodology:

• The company values consistency, clarity, and creativity with purpose in its marketing efforts.

• Design is seen as a critical component in delivering a professional and beautifully presented brand experience.

• Emphasis is placed on brand-aligned, compliant creative assets.

Company Website: https://slcann.isolvedhire.com (Note: This appears to be an HR/recruiting portal URL, not the primary company website for consumers.)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on "professional, educational, and beautifully presented" cannabis experiences, with design as a "critical part," indicates a culture that values quality and strategic execution. This aligns with operations roles that require precision, adherence to standards, and a focus on delivering measurable results through well-executed initiatives.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level Graphic Designer, requiring 3+ years of experience. It is a contributor role focused on executing design tasks that directly support broader marketing and operational goals.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will likely report to a Marketing Manager or Creative Director, working closely with teams in Marketing, Wholesale, and Operations. This structure emphasizes collaboration and alignment with overarching business objectives.

Operations Impact:

• The designs created will have a direct impact on customer engagement in retail environments, partner perception in wholesale channels, and overall brand strength.

• By ensuring brand consistency and compliance, the role contributes to operational efficiency and risk mitigation in a highly regulated industry.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Potential to specialize in specific areas like packaging design, digital marketing creative, or retail merchandising design.

• Leadership: Develop into a Senior Graphic Designer or potentially a Creative Lead role, mentoring junior designers and taking on more strategic creative direction.

• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Gain deeper understanding of marketing operations, wholesale strategies, and retail execution through close collaboration, potentially leading to roles in marketing coordination or GTM support.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations professionals, this role offers a clear path to deepen expertise in visual communication that directly supports commercial functions. The emphasis on compliance and brand integrity within a regulated industry provides a unique learning curve that can be valuable for career advancement in specialized operations roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site, indicating a traditional office setting where in-person collaboration and access to company resources are expected.

Office Location(s): Columbia, MO. This location is central and accessible within the region.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires close collaboration with marketing, wholesale, and operations teams, suggesting an open or team-oriented workspace designed to foster communication.

• Tools & Technology: Access to necessary design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and potentially other project management or asset management tools.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for brainstorming, feedback sessions, and project reviews with colleagues.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week) in an on-site capacity, suggesting a structured work schedule conducive to team coordination and project management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is crucial for operations roles that rely on spontaneous collaboration, immediate feedback loops, and shared access to physical resources or team dynamics that are harder to replicate remotely. This environment is often favored for roles requiring high levels of teamwork and detailed execution.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess design skills, experience, and alignment with company needs.

• Creative Challenge/Portfolio Review: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discuss their design process, and potentially complete a design exercise relevant to the cannabis retail/wholesale space.

• Team/Manager Interviews: Interviews with marketing and operations team members to evaluate collaboration skills, understanding of brand strategy, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss broader company vision and long-term fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your skills relevant to retail, wholesale, and brand consistency.

• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your creative process, the challenges you faced, and the outcome or impact of your design.

• Highlight Compliance: If you have experience in regulated industries, specifically mention how you ensured compliance in your designs.

• Tailor to Cannabis: If possible, include work that shows an understanding of consumer-facing brands, packaging, or promotional materials.

• Prepare for Discussion: Be ready to articulate your design choices, software proficiency, and how your work aligns with business objectives.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brand: Research Shangri-La Dispensaries and its brand aesthetic.

• Industry Awareness: Familiarize yourself with common design trends and compliance considerations in the cannabis industry.

• Problem-Solving: Think about how design can solve specific marketing challenges for a retail or wholesale cannabis business (e.g., driving foot traffic, educating consumers, supporting sales teams).

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations-adjacent roles like this, interviewers will look for not just creative talent but also the candidate's ability to execute efficiently, collaborate effectively, and understand business objectives. The portfolio and any practical exercises should demonstrate these operational strengths.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for all design tasks. Proficiency expected in:
  • Adobe Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, and illustrations.
  • Adobe Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.
  • Adobe InDesign: For page layout, brochures, menus, and print collateral.

Analytics & Reporting: While not a primary focus for this role, an understanding of how design impacts engagement metrics (e.g., click-through rates for digital ads, foot traffic influenced by in-store signage) is beneficial.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable, but familiarity with how marketing assets are deployed through CRM or marketing automation platforms can be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Adobe Creative Suite is critical. For operations professionals, understanding the core tools used by creative teams ensures better collaboration and workflow integration. Proficiency here means not just using the tools, but understanding their output and how it integrates into broader marketing campaigns and sales funnels.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Consistency: A strong emphasis on maintaining brand consistency across all creative outputs.

• Clarity: Designs should be clear, easy to understand, and effectively communicate their message.

• Creativity with Purpose: Design is not just aesthetic; it must serve a strategic marketing or business objective.

• Compliance: Adherence to regulatory standards is paramount, especially in the cannabis industry.

• Professionalism: Delivering high-quality, professional work that reflects the company's brand image.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires working closely with marketing, wholesale, and operations teams, indicating a collaborative environment where shared goals are prioritized.

• Feedback-Oriented: Likely involves iterative design processes with feedback loops from various stakeholders.

• Project-Based: Teamwork will likely revolve around specific campaigns, product launches, or promotional initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values directly mirror good operations principles: data-driven (purposeful creativity), process-oriented (consistency, compliance), and team-focused (collaboration). Understanding these values is key for operations candidates to demonstrate alignment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Regulatory Compliance: Navigating and adhering to strict and evolving cannabis advertising regulations can be complex and requires constant vigilance.

• Balancing Brand & Compliance: Creating visually appealing designs that also meet all legal requirements.

• Fast-Paced Environment: Managing multiple projects with competing deadlines and evolving priorities.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring a unified brand voice and visual identity across diverse retail and wholesale channels.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Expertise: Deepen knowledge of the cannabis industry's marketing and operational intricacies.

• Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to refine skills in specialized design areas.

• Cross-Departmental Insight: Gain exposure to sales enablement, wholesale operations, and retail marketing strategies.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Build a robust portfolio with impactful work for a growing brand in a dynamic industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in regulated industries and GTM roles. Operations professionals thrive in environments where they can develop strategies to overcome these challenges, making this role a good fit for those who enjoy problem-solving and continuous improvement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for designing effective in-store signage that drives customer engagement." (Focus on understanding customer journey, visual hierarchy, and call-to-action.)

• "How would you ensure brand consistency across both retail marketing materials and wholesale sell sheets for a new product launch?" (Highlight your approach to brand guidelines and asset adaptation.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What appeals to you about working in the cannabis industry, and how do you see design contributing to our brand's success?" (Show your research and genuine interest.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each project, explain the problem, your solution, and the impact.

• Highlight Operational Aspects: Discuss how you managed timelines, revisions, and collaborated with stakeholders.

• Emphasize Compliance: If applicable, detail any specific considerations for regulated industries.

• Be Prepared for Feedback: Be open to constructive criticism and discuss how you would incorporate suggestions.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, interviewers will assess both creative talent and operational aptitude. Be ready to discuss your process, how you manage projects, and how your design work supports business objectives, not just aesthetics.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-adjacent design position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on isolvedhire.com.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features work relevant to retail, CPG, or regulated industries, showcasing your ability to create impactful brand assets.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in graphic design, brand consistency, project management, and any experience within relevant industries. Use keywords such as "Adobe Creative Suite," "typography," "layout," "brand systems," and "retail marketing."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, your approach to collaboration, and how you ensure creative compliance. Prepare specific examples of past projects that demonstrate these skills.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Shangri-La Dispensaries, their brand presence, and the general landscape of the cannabis industry in Missouri to demonstrate your understanding and enthusiasm.

⚠️ 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.