Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer Company: TMI ACQUISITION LLC Location: Tucson, Arizona, United States (On-site) Job Type: Full-Time Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Operations Date Posted: 2025-09-18 Experience Level: 2-5 Years

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is central to the visual identity and product presentation of TM International, focusing on creating engaging physical retail packaging and dynamic digital assets.
• The Graphic Designer will translate brand concepts into compelling visual solutions across multiple channels, including e-commerce, social media, and traditional marketing collateral.
• A key aspect of this position involves managing design projects from ideation through to final production, ensuring adherence to brand guidelines, compliance, and quality standards.
• The role requires a blend of creative flair, technical execution in design software, and strong organizational skills to manage deadlines within a fast-paced environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Graphic Designer," the responsibilities heavily lean into product marketing collateral and packaging design, aligning it closely with aspects of Marketing Operations and Creative Operations within a GTM (Go-To-Market) framework. The emphasis on print production files, dieline creation, and project management within a system like Monday.com suggests a need for operational rigor beyond pure artistic creation.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and execute retail and e-commerce packaging and product lines for various brands, including licensed, OEM, and in-house properties.
• Develop and produce compelling marketing collateral and digital assets for social media campaigns, email marketing, advertisements, websites, trade show displays, and catalogs.
• Prepare print-ready production files, demonstrating a strong understanding of print processes, color management, and pre-press requirements.
• Engineer, test, and refine dielines for packaging and point-of-purchase (POP) structures to ensure manufacturability and visual appeal.
• Manage design projects through all stages of review, including art, compliance, and stakeholder feedback, ensuring high-quality, error-free deliverables.
• Utilize Monday.com or similar project management systems to track project progress, manage assignments, and meet deadlines effectively.
• Present design concepts, mock-ups, and final work clearly and persuasively to internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product development, marketing, and sales, to ensure design solutions align with business objectives and brand strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer who understands the operational aspects of bringing products to market, from physical packaging to digital promotion. The mention of compliance reviews and dieline creation points to a role that bridges creative output with production realities.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design.
• Alternatively, an Associate’s Degree in Graphic Design coupled with 2+ years of directly relevant professional work experience.

Experience:

• Proven work experience as a Graphic Designer, with a strong portfolio showcasing a range of design capabilities, particularly in packaging and marketing collateral.
• Experience in digital design, including web assets, social media graphics, and email campaigns.
• Familiarity with print design principles and the preparation of production-ready files for various print applications.
• Experience with project management systems (e.g., Monday.com) for tracking tasks and deadlines is highly advantageous.

Required Skills:

• Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, for all design and production tasks.
• Exceptional creativity, innovative thinking, and a strong aesthetic sense for developing visually impactful designs.
• Solid understanding of packaging design principles, including concept development and dieline creation.
• Proven ability to create engaging digital assets for web, e-commerce, and social media platforms.
• Skill in preparing precise print production files, understanding bleed, crop marks, and color profiles.
• Ability to translate creative briefs into effective visual solutions and create original artwork through illustration.
• Solution-oriented critical thinking skills to overcome design challenges and propose effective visual strategies.
• Adherence to standard operating procedures and an understanding of compliance review processes in design.
• Ability to receive and integrate constructive design critiques to refine work.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills to manage multiple projects and meet strict deadlines in a fast-paced work environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration with internal teams and external departments.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI design tools such as Midjourney for concept generation.
• Photography and/or videography skills for content creation.
• Proficiency in Canva or Adobe Express for quick asset creation and social media content.
• Familiarity with 3D design programs like Blender, Maya, or Adobe Dimensions for mock-ups and visualizations.
• Experience with wide format printing and plotter cutting for prototyping and displays.
• Exposure to retail and e-commerce development environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Adobe Creative Suite, packaging design, and print production files are critical technical skills. The preferred skills, particularly AI and 3D design, indicate a forward-thinking company that values adaptability and exploration of new creative tools.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating a strong foundation in graphic design principles, with a clear emphasis on packaging design and marketing collateral.
• Showcase projects that highlight the applicant's ability to develop creative concepts from initial brief to final execution.
• Include examples of digital assets designed for web, social media, and email campaigns, demonstrating an understanding of these platforms.
• Provide case studies or detailed project descriptions that illustrate the design process, problem-solving approaches, and the impact of the design work.
• Visuals of prepared print production files or mock-ups of packaging that show attention to technical detail and print readiness.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of managing projects through a defined workflow, ideally with examples from a project management system like Monday.com.
• Examples of how feedback and critiques were incorporated into design iterations, demonstrating a structured approach to design review.
• Documentation or explanation of the process for creating and testing packaging dielines, showcasing technical understanding.
• Case studies that detail the steps taken from concept to final delivery, including any collaboration or review stages.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit request for a portfolio with the application underscores its importance. Applicants should curate their portfolios to specifically reflect the responsibilities outlined, particularly packaging design, print production, and digital marketing assets. Demonstrating process management and critique incorporation will be key differentiators.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry standards for Graphic Designers with 2-5 years of experience in Tucson, Arizona, the estimated salary range is between $45,000 and $65,000 annually. This estimate considers the cost of living in Tucson and the specific skill set required, including expertise in Adobe Creative Suite and packaging design.

Benefits:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Comprehensive coverage options to support employee well-being.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Includes vacation days, sick leave, and paid holidays, allowing for work-life balance.
• Retirement Savings Plan: Potential for a 401(k) or similar plan, often with a company match to support long-term financial goals.
• Professional Development Opportunities: Support for continued learning through training, workshops, or industry conferences to enhance design skills and stay current with trends.
• Creative Work Environment: Access to modern design tools and a collaborative workspace focused on innovation.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, the company may offer some flexibility in daily start and end times, depending on team needs and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: As no specific salary or benefits were provided, this section is based on typical offerings for a full-time Graphic Designer role in the specified location and experience level. The emphasis on professional development aligns with the company's desire for continuous skill-building in its employees.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Toy and Game Manufacturing / Consumer Goods. TM International likely operates within the fast-paced consumer goods sector, specializing in products that foster self-expression and creativity, such as toys and games. This industry context implies a dynamic, trend-driven environment where visual appeal and product innovation are paramount. Company Size: TMI ACQUISITION LLC is part of TMI International, which suggests a medium to large enterprise size. For a Graphic Designer, this could mean working within a structured creative department, potentially collaborating with a larger team of designers, marketers, and product developers. It also implies access to more robust resources and established processes. Founded: Founded in 1989, TMI International has a significant history, indicating stability and established market presence. This longevity suggests a company that understands its market, adapts to changes, and has likely developed a mature operational framework for product development and marketing.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will likely be part of a creative or marketing team, reporting to a Creative Director or Marketing Manager.
• This team may include other designers (specializing in different areas), copywriters, marketing specialists, and project managers.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a key aspect, requiring regular interaction with product development, sales, and potentially manufacturing or sourcing departments to ensure design alignment with product specifications and market needs.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis and Insights: While not a data analyst role, the designer will need to interpret market trends, consumer preferences, and competitor analysis to inform design decisions, especially for packaging and marketing collateral.
• Workflow Planning and Optimization: The role involves utilizing project management systems to plan and optimize design workflows, ensuring efficient project delivery and adherence to deadlines.
• Automation and Efficiency Practices: While direct automation may not be the designer's primary focus, understanding how digital tools and efficient processes (like preparing print-ready files) contribute to overall operational efficiency is important.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's founding date and industry suggest a stable company with a focus on creative product development. The designer's role is critical in translating the company's mission of "fun, creative, and self-expression" into tangible visual assets.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is an intermediate-level position for a Graphic Designer. It requires a solid foundation in design principles and software, combined with practical experience in packaging and marketing collateral creation. The responsibilities indicate a move beyond junior design tasks towards managing projects and contributing to strategic visual output. Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will likely report to a Creative Lead, Art Director, or Marketing Manager. This structure places them within a team that guides creative direction and ensures alignment with broader company goals. They will collaborate with peers in marketing, product development, and potentially sales. Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the company's brand perception, product appeal on shelves and online, and the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. Successful designs contribute to increased sales, brand recognition, and customer engagement, making this role crucial to the overall Go-To-Market strategy.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas such as packaging engineering, print production management, or digital asset optimization.
• Leadership Potential: With proven performance, there may be opportunities to lead design projects, mentor junior designers, or eventually move into a Senior Graphic Designer or Art Director role.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gaining experience in product development, marketing strategy, and e-commerce operations can broaden career horizons within the company or related industries.
• Skill Expansion: Learning new design software, exploring 3D rendering, or gaining proficiency in AI design tools can enhance the designer's skill set and marketability.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a solid path for a graphic designer to grow within a company that values creativity and product development. The emphasis on operational aspects like project management and print readiness provides a pathway to more operations-focused creative roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is on-site in Tucson, Arizona. This suggests a traditional office setting where collaboration and direct communication are prioritized. The company's focus on creative products implies a workplace that aims to be inspiring and conducive to creative work. Office Location(s): The primary work location is Tucson, Arizona, with a specific postal code of 85713, indicating a location within or near the city center, potentially with good access to local amenities and transportation.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a workspace that encourages interaction with team members, fostering brainstorming sessions and feedback exchanges essential for creative projects.
• Tools and Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and potentially advanced hardware, printers, and prototyping tools.
• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities to connect with colleagues across marketing, product development, and sales teams, facilitating a holistic understanding of the business and the impact of design.

Work Schedule:

• The work schedule is likely Monday to Friday, aligning with standard business hours, totaling approximately 40 hours per week. While on-site, there might be some flexibility in daily hours, provided project deadlines and team collaboration needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: An on-site role in a creative company often means a dynamic environment with opportunities for spontaneous collaboration and direct mentorship, which are valuable for a designer looking to refine their craft and understanding of business operations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit resume and portfolio via the provided link. Ensure the portfolio is easily accessible and showcases relevant work samples.
• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio by the hiring team to assess qualifications and alignment with the role's requirements.
• First Interview (Phone/Video): Typically with an HR representative or hiring manager to discuss your background, experience, motivations, and initial fit for the company culture. Be prepared to discuss your portfolio highlights.
• Skills Assessment/Design Challenge: You may be asked to complete a short design exercise or present a specific project from your portfolio in detail, focusing on your thought process, problem-solving, and execution.
• Second Interview (On-site/Video): Often with the Creative Director or key team members. This interview will delve deeper into your design philosophy, technical skills, and how you handle constructive criticism and collaboration.
• Final Interview (Optional): May involve meeting with senior leadership or other department heads for a final cultural and strategic fit assessment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Relevance: Select 4-6 of your strongest projects that best showcase your skills in packaging design, marketing collateral, and digital assets. Prioritize work that reflects the types of projects TMI International produces.
• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly explain the objective, your role, the creative process, challenges faced, and the final outcome. Include mock-ups or behind-the-scenes looks at dieline creation or print file preparation where applicable.
• Quantify Impact: If possible, include metrics or qualitative feedback on how your designs performed (e.g., increased engagement, successful product launch).
• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. A PDF format or a professional online portfolio website is ideal. Make sure any links are functional.
• Highlight Specific Skills: Clearly label or describe projects that demonstrate expertise in Adobe Suite, print production, and digital design.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: If given a design challenge, read it carefully and ask clarifying questions. Identify the core objective and target audience.
• Demonstrate Process: Focus on showing your thought process, not just the final output. Explain your design rationale, tool choices, and how you approached problem-solving.
• Time Management: Be mindful of any time constraints. Prioritize key elements of the task to ensure you deliver a complete, albeit potentially refined, solution.
• Presentation: Prepare to present your work clearly and concisely, highlighting key design decisions and outcomes. Be ready to answer questions about your choices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is typical for creative roles, with a strong emphasis on the portfolio. Applicants should prepare to articulate their design process and demonstrate how their skills align with the company's operational needs for product visual representation.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Expert proficiency required in Photoshop (image editing, manipulation), Illustrator (vector graphics, logos, dielines), and InDesign (layout, print production).
• Project Management Software: Experience with Monday.com is beneficial for managing project timelines, tasks, and team collaboration.
• Microsoft Office Suite: Proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for general business communication and presentations.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Tools (e.g., Google Analytics): Familiarity with understanding basic website performance metrics can be helpful for digital design asset optimization.
• Social Media Analytics: Understanding how to interpret performance data from social media platforms to inform graphic design choices.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managing CRM or automation, an understanding of how design assets integrate with e-commerce platforms and marketing automation tools (e.g., email marketing software) is advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is mastery of the Adobe Creative Suite. Familiarity with project management tools like Monday.com is a significant plus, indicating the company's reliance on structured workflows for creative output.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: A core value driving the development of unique and engaging products and visual assets. Expect an environment that encourages new ideas and creative problem-solving.
• Quality & Detail: A strong emphasis on producing high-quality, error-free work, particularly in packaging and print production, where precision is critical.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: The company values working together across departments to achieve common goals, requiring designers to be effective communicators and team players.
• Efficiency & Adaptability: The ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced market is essential.
• Customer Focus: Designing with the end consumer in mind, ensuring products and marketing materials resonate with target audiences.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to work closely with product development, marketing, and sales teams, sharing insights and ensuring visual consistency across all touchpoints.
• Process Review & Feedback: An open culture for discussing design work, receiving constructive criticism, and iterating on concepts to achieve the best results.
• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of design trends, technical tips, and best practices within the creative team and beyond.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values likely promote a blend of creative freedom and operational discipline, requiring designers to be both innovative and meticulous in their execution and project management.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Brand Constraints: Successfully translating creative ideas while adhering to specific brand guidelines, licensing requirements, and production limitations.
• Managing Multiple Projects and Deadlines: Effectively prioritizing tasks and managing workload in a dynamic, fast-paced environment to meet various project deadlines simultaneously.
• Adapting to Evolving Design Trends and Technologies: Staying current with new design software, tools (like AI), and visual trends relevant to the toy and consumer goods industries.
• Ensuring Print Production Accuracy: Navigating the complexities of print production, color matching, and dieline engineering to prevent costly errors.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Gaining hands-on experience with project management systems and print production workflows, enhancing operational efficiency.
• Industry Conference & Training: Potential support for attending design conferences, workshops, or online courses to improve technical skills and creative approaches.
• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from senior designers or creative leads, receiving guidance on career development and design best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents opportunities to develop a robust skill set that combines creative design with practical operational execution, making the designer more versatile and valuable in the GTM process.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance creative freedom with strict brand guidelines or client requirements. How did you approach it?" (Focus on compromise, understanding objectives, and delivering within constraints).
• "Walk me through your process for designing packaging, from concept to final print-ready files. What are the critical steps?" (Emphasize dielines, print specs, color management, and review processes).
• "How do you manage your time and prioritize tasks when working on multiple design projects with competing deadlines?" (Highlight organizational skills, project management tools, and proactive communication).
• "Tell me about a time you received constructive criticism on your design work. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?" (Demonstrate openness to feedback and ability to iterate effectively).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about TM International and our focus on fun, creative products?" (Research the company's product lines and mission).
• "How do you stay updated on design trends, particularly within the toy or consumer goods industries?" (Showcase proactive learning and industry awareness).
• "Describe your ideal team environment and how you contribute to a collaborative atmosphere." (Align your response with the company's values of teamwork and creativity).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select & Structure: Choose 3-4 key projects that best represent your skills in packaging, digital, and marketing collateral. Structure your presentation around the project lifecycle: brief, concept, execution, and outcome.
• Narrate Your Process: For each project, explain your design choices, the tools used, and any challenges overcome. If you created dielines, explain the engineering process. If you prepared print files, detail the technical considerations.
• Highlight Operations Integration: Explicitly mention how you managed project timelines, incorporated feedback, or ensured print readiness. If you used Monday.com or a similar system, mention it.
• Quantify Impact: If possible, share any positive results your designs achieved (e.g., increased engagement, successful product launch).
• Be Ready for Technical Questions: Prepare to answer questions about specific software techniques, print production methods, or digital asset optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only creative talent but also the operational discipline required for successful project delivery in a product-focused company. Highlighting experience with print production and project management systems will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/3581003
• Portfolio Customization: Curate your design portfolio to prominently feature relevant projects in packaging design, marketing collateral, and digital assets that align with TM International's product focus.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords from the job description, such as "Adobe Creative Suite," "packaging design," "print production," "digital design," and "project management." Quantify achievements where possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving skills, and ability to manage projects efficiently. Prepare to discuss specific examples from your portfolio that demonstrate these capabilities.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with TM International's product lines, brand identity, and company mission to articulate your interest and cultural fit during the interview process. Understand their focus on creativity and self-expression.

⚠️ 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.