Graphic Designer III

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer III

Company: QuikTrip Corporation

Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing & Creative Operations

Date Posted: April 21, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the conceptualization and design of diverse graphics and visual materials for both print and digital media, ensuring strict adherence to established brand guidelines and visual identity standards.

• Contribute to the strategic development of brand identity and campaign initiatives in collaboration with external agencies, influencing the overall creative direction.

• Serve as an Art Director and final approver for specific design categories, including directional billboards, gift card reprints, packaging, and other critical brand assets.

• Mentor and develop junior designers within the creative group, fostering a collaborative environment and enhancing the collective skillset through knowledge sharing and guidance.

• Manage and execute moderately complex design projects from inception to completion, often acting as the primary point of contact for stakeholders and ensuring project objectives are met within deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior individual contributor with significant influence on brand output and team development, rather than a purely execution-focused designer. The emphasis on "Art Director/Final Approver" and "mentoring junior designers" signifies a leadership component within the creative operations function.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and produce a wide range of print and digital layouts, including motion graphics for marketing campaigns, store and event signage, packaging for private label products, and various other QuikTrip projects.

• Collaborate closely with the Creative Group Manager, internal customers, and external stakeholders to conceptualize and deliver design solutions that demonstrably impact sales and brand awareness.

• Provide expert design input and contribute to the design direction on agency projects, ensuring cohesive and on-brand execution across all marketing collateral.

• Execute photo retouching on RAW images provided by professional photographers, working in conjunction with the Senior Producer and Creative Group Manager to refine visuals using tools like Photoshop and Capture One.

• Manage and coordinate ancillary design projects related to store development, attending relevant meetings, understanding the impact of physical store changes on marketing assets, and recommending effective design solutions.

• Act as a key liaison with vendor partners to develop prototype hardware or specific design elements for store development and marketing initiatives.

• Conduct thorough research into current graphic styles, techniques, and trends by reviewing industry publications, and visit stores frequently to evaluate signage applications and propose improvements.

• Mentor junior designers by assisting in their training on Adobe functionality, file preparation, organization, photography asset review, and current design processes and procedures.

📝 Enhancement Note: The detailed breakdown of responsibilities highlights a broad scope of work, from core design execution to strategic input and team leadership. The emphasis on store development projects indicates a strong connection between creative operations and physical retail strategy.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Required: Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design or Visual Communications.

• Desired: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Marketing, or another art-related field.

Experience:

• Required: 4-6 years of experience as a Graphic Designer, specifically within a retail or food service environment.

• Desired: 6 years of experience as a Graphic Designer in a retail or food environment.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality design work efficiently under demanding workloads and tight deadlines.

• Strong capacity for independent work, creative problem-solving, and meticulous attention to detail.

• Proven organizational skills to manage concurrent, unrelated design projects effectively.

• Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, and critically, After Effects for motion graphics.

• Solid understanding of fundamental design principles: kerning, composition, color space, visual hierarchy, balance, alignment, contrast, and negative space.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with videography and animation beyond motion graphics.

• Fine art and drawing capabilities.

• Strong proofreading and editing skills.

• Experience with Capture One for photo retouching.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for After Effects is significant, indicating a need for advanced motion graphics capabilities beyond standard graphic design. The emphasis on retail/food environment experience suggests familiarity with fast-paced, high-volume visual communication needs common in these sectors.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a strong grasp of fundamental design principles: composition, typography, color theory, balance, alignment, visual hierarchy, contrast, and negative space.

• Evidence of creativity and conceptual thinking applied across a diverse range of projects.

• Demonstrated ability to create cohesive visual solutions for integrated marketing campaigns (print, digital, signage).

• Examples of motion graphics or animation work are highly desirable, given the After Effects requirement.

Process Documentation:

• The portfolio should implicitly or explicitly demonstrate an understanding of preparing files for final output across various printing and digital platforms.

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their workflow for managing multiple projects, including timelines, asset gathering, and stakeholder communication.

• Examples of how design decisions were made to align with brand strategy and marketing objectives will be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Interview Requirement" explicitly states the need for a strong portfolio demonstrating design basics and creativity, along with an understanding of file preparation for output. This signals that the portfolio is a critical component of the evaluation process.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $68,100 - $85,080 USD per year.

Benefits:

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week), with the understanding that occasional overtime may be required to meet project deadlines or address urgent needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is specific to this role and location. QuikTrip's benefits are generally considered competitive within the retail sector, and candidates should explore the provided link for detailed information.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Convenience Stores / Gas Stations / Food Service. QuikTrip is a prominent player in the convenience store and gasoline retail industry, known for its high-quality offerings, clean facilities, and customer service.

Company Size: Large (QuikTrip operates over 1,000 locations and employs tens of thousands of individuals). This scale implies robust internal marketing and creative departments capable of supporting extensive operations.

Founded: 1958. With a long history, QuikTrip has established a strong brand identity and operational framework.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer III reports to the Creative Group Manager, indicating a hierarchical structure within the marketing department.

• This role involves collaboration with various internal departments (Sales, Operations, Purchasing, Marketing) and external partners (agencies, vendors, photographers).

Methodology:

• The role emphasizes a data-informed approach to design, with responsibilities including contributing to brand strategy, campaign initiatives, and understanding how design impacts sales and awareness.

• Emphasis is placed on maintaining brand consistency across all touchpoints, from in-store signage to digital media and packaging.

• Collaboration with external agencies and vendors is a key aspect of the workflow, requiring strong communication and project management skills.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: QuikTrip's culture is often described as family-oriented and employee-focused, with a strong emphasis on operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. This translates to a creative environment that values practical, impactful design that supports business goals.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a senior individual contributor ("Graphic Designer III") within the creative operations function. It signifies a move beyond basic design execution to include strategic input, art direction, and mentorship.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Creative Group Manager, indicating a clear line of supervision and a direct channel for feedback and project oversight.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer III directly influences brand perception, marketing effectiveness, and sales through their visual creations. They play a crucial role in ensuring that all customer-facing materials are on-brand, engaging, and supportive of QuikTrip's business objectives, particularly in store development and marketing campaigns.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Leadership: Potential to progress into a Lead Designer or Art Director role, taking on greater responsibility for creative strategy and team management.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like motion graphics, packaging design, or store branding through continued work and development.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Involvement in Store Development projects provides exposure to broader business operations, potentially opening doors to roles with more strategic marketing or project management focus.

• Mentorship Development: By mentoring junior designers, the individual hones leadership and communication skills, preparing them for future team lead or management positions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "III" designation and responsibilities like Art Director/Approver and mentoring suggest this is a mid-to-senior level role with potential for further advancement within QuikTrip's marketing and creative departments.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Likely a corporate office environment within QuikTrip's headquarters or a dedicated creative studio space. The role requires on-site presence.

Office Location(s): Tulsa, Oklahoma (specifically within the 74134 zip code).

Workspace Context:

• The environment is expected to be collaborative, involving frequent interaction with the Creative Group Manager, other designers, marketing staff, and potentially stakeholders from other departments.

• Access to industry-standard design hardware (likely Macs) and software (Adobe Creative Suite) is essential.

• Opportunities for creative brainstorming and feedback sessions are probable, fostering a dynamic design process.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, typically 40 hours per week. While standard business hours are expected, flexibility may be required to meet project deadlines, including occasional overtime. The emphasis on retail means understanding the need for timely campaign launches and store updates.

📝 Enhancement Note: As an on-site role in a corporate setting, the environment is likely structured but also dynamic, supporting a high volume of creative output for a large retail organization.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely involves a review of the resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and creative capabilities.

• Portfolio Review: A critical stage where candidates present their work, discussing design rationale, process, and impact. Expect questions about how specific projects align with the requirements outlined (e.g., retail experience, brand consistency, problem-solving).

• Technical/Skills Assessment: May include practical design challenges or questions testing proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly After Effects, and understanding of design principles.

• Behavioral/Situational Interviews: Questions will assess problem-solving abilities, ability to work independently and collaboratively, mentorship approach, and fit with QuikTrip's culture.

• Final Interview: Potentially with the Creative Group Manager or other senior marketing leadership to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your retail/food industry experience, brand consistency work, and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (especially After Effects).

• Tell a Story: For each project, explain the brief, your creative process, the challenges faced, your solutions, and the measurable impact or outcome.

• Highlight Process: Clearly articulate how you prepared files for final output for various mediums (print, digital, motion).

• Demonstrate Fundamentals: Be ready to discuss your understanding of composition, typography, color theory, and visual hierarchy as applied in your work.

• Showcase Mentorship: If possible, include examples where you've guided or led others, or discuss your approach to mentoring.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a design exercise that might involve creating a concept for an in-store promotion, a social media graphic, or a short motion graphic sequence related to QuikTrip's brand.

• Focus on demonstrating quick conceptualization, adherence to brand guidelines, and efficient workflow.

• Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely, as if presenting to stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of a "Strong portfolio that indicates knowledge of design basics... and evidence of creativity. Must understand process for preparing files for final output" means the portfolio is not just supplementary but a core evaluation tool.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency required across:

  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, and illustrations.
  • InDesign: For page layout, brochures, reports, and print collateral.
  • Photoshop: For image manipulation, photo retouching, and digital asset creation.
  • After Effects: Crucial for motion graphics, animations, and video elements for digital menu boards, social media, and other applications.

• Capture One: Specifically mentioned for RAW photo retouching.

• Macintosh Platform: The description implies a Macintosh-based workflow.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the core design function, but collaboration with marketing teams may require some awareness of campaign deployment tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for After Effects and Capture One, alongside the core Adobe Suite, highlights the need for advanced technical skills beyond a general graphic designer.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Brand Integrity: A strong commitment to maintaining and enhancing QuikTrip's brand identity across all visual communications.

• Efficiency & Speed: The ability to produce high-quality work quickly to meet the demands of a fast-paced retail environment.

• Creativity & Innovation: Encouragement to develop fresh, impactful design solutions that drive business results.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively with internal teams, external agencies, and mentoring junior designers to achieve collective goals.

• Customer Focus: Creating designs that resonate with QuikTrip's customer base and support a positive brand experience.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expected to work closely with Marketing, Sales, Operations, and Store Development teams to understand project needs and deliver aligned visual solutions.

• Agency & Vendor Partnership: Professional interaction with external creative partners to ensure project success and brand consistency.

• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: A willingness to guide and develop less experienced designers, fostering a supportive and growth-oriented team environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: QuikTrip's operational ethos likely translates into a creative culture that values practicality, impact, and reliability, alongside creative excellence.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing High Volume and Quality: Managing a demanding workload with numerous concurrent projects while maintaining exceptional design quality and brand consistency.

• Adapting to Evolving Brand Needs: Staying current with QuikTrip's brand evolution and market trends to ensure designs remain relevant and impactful.

• Cross-Functional Communication: Effectively translating diverse stakeholder needs into compelling visual designs and managing expectations across departments.

• Technical Skill Advancement: Keeping pace with new software features and design techniques, particularly in motion graphics and photo retouching.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Software Proficiency: Opportunities to deepen expertise in After Effects, Capture One, and other visual design tools.

• Brand Strategy Contribution: Involvement in developing campaign concepts and brand strategy offers exposure to higher-level marketing decision-making.

• Leadership Skills: Developing mentorship and art direction skills can pave the way for future leadership roles.

• Retail Industry Insight: Gaining extensive experience within a leading retail brand provides valuable industry-specific knowledge.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents opportunities for a designer to grow into a more strategic and leadership-oriented position within a well-established retail brand, by tackling complex visual challenges and contributing to team development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to deliver a complex design project with a tight deadline. How did you manage your time and ensure quality?" (Assesses time management, prioritization, and quality control).

• "How do you ensure your designs align with established brand guidelines while still being creative and impactful?" (Tests understanding of brand stewardship and creative execution).

• "Walk me through your process for creating motion graphics for a digital menu board or social media campaign." (Evaluates After Effects proficiency and workflow).

• "How would you approach mentoring a junior designer who is struggling with a particular design concept or software function?" (Assesses leadership and communication skills).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about QuikTrip's brand and our typical customer base?" (Assesses research and brand understanding).

• "How do you see yourself contributing to QuikTrip's visual identity and marketing efforts?" (Evaluates strategic alignment).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by project type or by impact. Clearly label each project with your role and the tools used.

• Narrative: For each key piece, explain the objective, your creative process, challenges, solutions, and results. Emphasize your understanding of design fundamentals and brand consistency.

• Technical Demonstration: Be prepared to discuss how you prepared files for output and your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, especially After Effects.

• Retail Focus: Highlight projects that demonstrate your experience with fast-paced retail environments, signage, packaging, or promotional materials.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time; focus on your strongest, most relevant work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Expect interview questions that probe your technical skills, creative process, project management capabilities, and your ability to integrate into QuikTrip's operational and brand context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer III position:

• Submit your application through the QuikTrip careers portal (link provided).

• Portfolio Preparation: Ensure your portfolio is polished, easily accessible (e.g., via a link), and highlights relevant retail/food industry experience, strong design fundamentals, and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly After Effects.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 4-6+ years of graphic design experience in retail/food environments, your mastery of Adobe Creative Suite (mentioning After Effects specifically), and any leadership or mentorship experience. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Practice: Prepare to discuss your portfolio in detail, articulate your design process, and answer behavioral questions related to collaboration, problem-solving, and working under pressure. Practice explaining your technical workflow for file preparation.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with QuikTrip's current marketing campaigns, store design, and overall brand presence to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding during the interview process.

⚠️ 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.