Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Royston Plant (SignResource)

Location: Jacksboro, TN, US

Job Type: Hourly Indirect Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Manufacturing / Administrative

Date Posted: April 08, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is crucial for crafting detailed graphic designs and technical drawings essential for the manufacturing of exterior retail signage and LED applications.

• The Graphic Designer will be responsible for updating and maintaining critical product information within company databases like Abba and GIS systems.

• A key aspect of this position involves close collaboration with engineering and sales teams to ensure graphics align with mechanical drawings, customer specifications, and permitting requirements.

• This role demands meticulous attention to detail in managing customer specifications, including color samples, materials, and prints, ensuring brand integrity and product quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Graphic Designer," the detailed responsibilities heavily lean towards a technical or production graphic artist role, focusing on manufacturing, engineering collaboration, and database management within the signage industry. The emphasis on "graphic drawings used for manufacturing" and "incorporating mechanical drawings" distinguishes it from a purely creative design role.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive drawing packages, including site plans and elevation renderings, specifically for permitting processes within the signage industry.

• Generate precise graphic drawings intended for the manufacturing of signs and channel letter sets, ensuring accuracy for production.

• Collaborate effectively with the Engineering team to revise and incorporate feedback (red lines) into existing graphic designs.

• Integrate mechanical drawings with graphic designs to create cohesive sales collateral and production guides.

• Maintain meticulous records of all customer specifications, such as color samples, materials used, and approved prints, ensuring compliance.

• Update and manage part number descriptions and revision levels within the ABBA system, ensuring data integrity.

• Learn and utilize the ABBA and GIS systems for efficient research of product history and accurate record tracking.

• Organize and file all graphics, specifications, and relevant email communications within the system for easy retrieval and access.

• Proactively prioritize workload, set realistic timelines, and manage tasks to meet critical project deadlines.

• Produce and convert graphic drawings into PDF format for distribution to sales and manufacturing departments.

• Utilize Corel 13, Adobe Photoshop, or Corel Photoprint for scanning and manipulating photos or drawings as needed.

• Assist in research and development projects, which may involve light physical tasks such as lifting and wiring with small hand tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong focus on technical documentation and a structured workflow, indicating a need for process adherence and systematic data management, which are core to operations roles. The mention of "research and development projects" suggests potential involvement in process improvement or innovation initiatives within the production cycle.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: High School Graduate or Equivalent Minimum

Experience: 3-5 years of experience in a related field, with a strong emphasis on technical graphics and data management.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Corel and/or Adobe Illustrator, with a minimum of 1000 hours of documented experience.

• Demonstrated ability to create technical drawing packages for manufacturing and permitting.

• Experience in updating and managing product information within database systems (e.g., ABBA, GIS).

• Strong understanding of incorporating mechanical drawings with graphic designs.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for effective collaboration with internal teams and documentation.

• Competency in computer operations, including word processing and spreadsheet software.

• Ability to lift and carry objects weighing 50lbs or more for specific tasks.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with Corel 13, Adobe Photoshop, or Corel Photoprint for image manipulation.

• Knowledge of signage terminology and production processes.

• Experience with GIS and ABBA systems for data research and tracking.

• Proven ability to prioritize workload and manage time effectively to meet deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a minimum of 1000 hours in Corel/Illustrator, coupled with database management and mechanical drawing integration, points to a role that requires specialized technical skills beyond general graphic design. The physical requirement of lifting 50lbs suggests a practical, hands-on aspect to the role, common in production environments.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a minimum of 3-5 years of experience through case studies showcasing technical graphic creation for manufacturing or permitting.

• Include examples of projects where you updated part descriptions and revision levels in a database system, detailing the process and impact.

• Showcase projects involving the integration of graphic designs with mechanical drawings, illustrating your ability to combine technical information.

Process Documentation:

• Provide evidence of creating detailed drawing packages for permitting, including site plans and elevation renderings.

• Illustrate your process for incorporating engineering red lines into graphic designs efficiently.

• Showcase your methods for organizing and filing digital assets (graphics, specifications, emails) for optimal accessibility and retrieval.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role like this, the portfolio should emphasize technical accuracy, process adherence, and system utilization. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their thought process for creating manufacturing-ready graphics and managing data within systems like Abba.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the location (Jacksboro, TN), experience level (2-5 years), and the "Hourly Indirect Full-Time" employment type, a competitive hourly rate can be estimated. For a Graphic Designer with this experience in Tennessee, the hourly wage typically ranges from $18 to $28 per hour. This estimate considers industry benchmarks for technical graphic design roles in manufacturing settings within this region.

Benefits:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Comprehensive medical coverage options.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Including vacation days, sick leave, and holidays.

• Retirement Savings Plan: Such as a 401(k) with potential company match.

• Life Insurance and Disability Coverage: Financial protection for employees and their families.

• Potential for Overtime Pay: As the role is hourly.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are expected, likely aligning with the company's operational schedule. This typically translates to approximately 40 hours per week, with potential for overtime based on project demands and deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on publicly available data for Graphic Designer roles in Tennessee, factoring in the specified experience range and the nature of the work (technical production graphics). Benefits are standard offerings for full-time employees in manufacturing organizations of this size.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Signage Manufacturing, specializing in exterior retail signage and LED applications. This industry demands precision, adherence to brand standards, and often involves working with complex technical specifications and permitting regulations.

Company Size: Royston Plant operates within the larger Royston Group, which is a significant player in the signage industry. The specific size of the SignResource division in Jacksboro, TN, is not explicitly stated but is likely a medium-to-large operational unit given its leadership in LED applications. This implies a structured environment with established processes.

Founded: The Royston Group has a history in the industry, suggesting stability and established operational methodologies. SignResource's focus on technology and innovation indicates a forward-thinking approach within its established framework.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of a design or production team, likely reporting to a Lead Graphic Designer.

• The team structure will involve close collaboration with Engineering, Sales, and potentially Production departments.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on data-driven design and production, utilizing systems like Abba and GIS for record-keeping and research.

• Workflow planning and optimization are critical, with a focus on meeting deadlines for permitting and manufacturing.

• Automation and efficiency practices are implied through the use of specialized software and database management.

Company Website: https://www.royston-group.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's specialization in signage and LED applications suggests a culture that values technical expertise, precision, and reliability. The emphasis on brand integrity and customer specifications points to a client-focused orientation within a production-driven environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level technical specialist within the design and production operations. It requires specific software proficiency and the ability to translate creative concepts into manufacturing-ready technical drawings.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports to the Lead Graphic Designer, indicating a clear line of supervision and mentorship within the design department. Collaboration will extend across functional teams like Engineering and Sales.

Operations Impact: This role directly impacts the efficiency and accuracy of the manufacturing process by providing clear, detailed graphics. It also influences project timelines for permitting and client satisfaction by ensuring adherence to specifications. Accurate documentation in Abba and GIS systems supports operational efficiency and product history tracking.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Potential to become an expert in specific signage types (e.g., LED, large-format) or advanced software applications.

• Advancement: Progression to Lead Graphic Designer or a senior technical role within the design or production team.

• Skill Development: Opportunities to learn new design software, gain deeper knowledge of engineering principles, and understand the full production lifecycle of signage.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path in this role likely involves deepening technical expertise in signage design and production rather than moving into a broad GTM or sales operations role. It's about becoming a subject matter expert within the manufacturing and design operations of the signage industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is on-site, requiring the designer to work from the Royston Plant facility in Jacksboro, TN. This environment is likely a combination of office space for design work and potential access to production areas for research or project development tasks.

Office Location(s): Jacksboro, Tennessee, US. This is a specific, physical location requiring daily presence.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely include a dedicated workstation with the necessary design software and computer hardware.

• Opportunities for collaboration with engineering and production teams will be readily available due to the on-site nature of the job.

• Access to tools and technology will include design software (Corel, Adobe Suite), database systems (Abba, GIS), and potentially physical tools for R&D tasks.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected, likely within typical business hours (e.g., 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM), Monday through Friday. Flexibility might be limited due to the direct impact on production schedules and permitting deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement means candidates should consider the commute and the nature of a manufacturing facility environment. Collaboration is expected to be face-to-face, facilitating quicker problem-solving and idea exchange with co-located teams.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess technical skills and experience. Be prepared to highlight your proficiency in Corel/Illustrator and any database experience.

• Technical Assessment: A practical test involving graphic design tasks using Corel or Illustrator, potentially including incorporating red lines or creating a basic sign graphic. This may also involve a demonstration of your ability to navigate and update information in a sample database.

• Interview with Lead Designer/Manager: Discussion about your experience, problem-solving approach, and how you handle deadlines and customer specifications. Expect questions about your understanding of signage production and mechanical drawings.

• Meet the Team: Possibly an opportunity to meet some of the engineering or production team members to assess cultural fit and collaboration style.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Technical Proficiency: Include examples of technical drawings, manufacturing-ready graphics, and any database entries you've managed.

• Highlight Process: For each project, briefly explain your workflow, the challenges you faced, and how you used software and systems to achieve the outcome.

• Quantify Achievements: If possible, mention improvements in efficiency, accuracy, or time saved due to your design work or system updates.

• Demonstrate Adaptability: Include examples where you had to incorporate feedback (red lines) or adapt designs to meet specific customer or permitting requirements.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready for a practical design exercise that tests your speed and accuracy with Corel/Illustrator.

• Prepare to discuss your experience with database systems and how you ensure data integrity.

• Familiarize yourself with basic signage terminology and components if possible.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely be heavily focused on practical skills and technical aptitude. A strong portfolio showcasing relevant technical graphics and system experience will be crucial for advancing.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CorelDRAW / Corel Suite: Essential for creating vector graphics, signage layouts, and technical drawings. Proficiency in Corel 13 or later versions is expected.

• Adobe Illustrator: A key alternative or complementary tool for vector graphic creation, widely used in design industries.

• Adobe Photoshop: Required for image manipulation, photo editing, and preparing raster graphics for integration.

• Corel Photoprint: Potentially used for specific photo-related tasks in the printing or signage workflow.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Abba Database System: Critical for updating part number descriptions, revision levels, and managing product data.

• GIS System: Used for researching product history, record tracking, and potentially creating site-specific graphics.

📝 Enhancement Note: Mastery of CorelDRAW and Adobe Illustrator is non-negotiable. Familiarity with Adobe Photoshop for image editing is also a strong requirement. The ability to learn and efficiently use proprietary database systems like Abba and GIS is a key operational skill for this role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Precision and Accuracy: A strong emphasis on producing technically correct graphics and data entries to avoid manufacturing errors and ensure product quality.

• Efficiency and Timeliness: Meeting deadlines for permitting and manufacturing is paramount, requiring effective time management and workflow optimization.

• Collaboration and Communication: Working effectively with engineering, sales, and production teams to ensure designs meet all requirements.

• Customer Focus: Upholding brand integrity and adhering strictly to customer specifications.

• Continuous Learning: Willingness to learn new software, signage terminology, and production processes.

Collaboration Style:

• Expect a collaborative environment where designers work closely with engineers to refine graphics based on technical constraints and feedback.

• Communication will be direct and often involve reviewing visual assets (drawings, prints).

• A culture of shared responsibility for project success, from design to production, is likely.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely values a balance between creative output and technical execution. Team members are expected to be reliable, detail-oriented, and capable of working efficiently within a structured production environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Technical Complexity: Balancing creative design with strict engineering requirements and manufacturing constraints.

• Deadline Pressure: Managing multiple projects with tight deadlines for permitting and production schedules.

• Software Proficiency: Ensuring consistent and high-level proficiency across multiple design and database software.

• Physical Demands: The requirement to lift 50lbs or more for R&D tasks might be a physical challenge for some.

• Learning Curve: Quickly mastering proprietary systems like Abba and GIS, along with sign-specific terminology and production processes.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Software Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in Corel, Adobe Suite, and potentially CAD software.

• Industry Knowledge: Gaining in-depth understanding of signage manufacturing, materials, LED technology, and permitting regulations.

• Process Improvement: Contributing to the refinement of design-to-production workflows.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Learning about the engineering and sales aspects of the signage business.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a solid foundation in technical design within a specific industry. Growth opportunities are tied to becoming a specialist in signage production graphics and related operational systems.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to incorporate complex engineering feedback (red lines) into a graphic design. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process for revision and collaboration.)

• "How do you prioritize your workload when faced with multiple urgent design requests and deadlines?" (Highlight your time management and organizational skills.)

• "Walk me through your process for creating a detailed graphic drawing package for permitting." (Demonstrate your understanding of technical documentation and compliance.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working specifically in the signage industry and with Royston/SignResource?" (Research the company's reputation, projects, and values.)

• "How do you handle working under pressure to meet tight production deadlines?" (Showcase your resilience and problem-solving under stress.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by project type (e.g., Manufacturing Graphics, Permitting Renderings, Database Updates) or by software used.

• Highlight Technicality: For each relevant piece, clearly state the purpose (manufacturing, permitting, sales), the software used, and any specific challenges overcome or specifications met.

• Explain Your Role: Detail your specific contributions, especially if it was a team project.

• Data Management Examples: If possible, include anonymized examples of how you managed data or updated records in a system.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss your technical skills in detail and demonstrate your understanding of the practical application of graphic design in a manufacturing context. Your portfolio should speak to your ability to handle technical specifications and data management.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the ADP WorkNow portal via the provided link.

• Tailor your resume: Clearly highlight your experience with CorelDRAW, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop, quantifying hours or projects where possible. Emphasize any experience with database management systems (like Abba or GIS) and technical drawing for manufacturing or permitting.

• Prepare your portfolio: Curate examples of technical graphics, manufacturing-ready designs, and any relevant database or documentation work. Be ready to explain your process and the impact of your work.

• Research the company: Familiarize yourself with Royston Group and SignResource's work in exterior retail signage and LED applications. Understand their commitment to technology and innovation.

• Practice technical skills: Be prepared for a practical design test and be ready to discuss your approach to problem-solving within design and data management contexts.

⚠️ 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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