Graphic Designer - Junior

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Junior Graphic Designer Company: Canada Pooch Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Job Type: OTHER Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Operations Date Posted: August 07, 2025 Experience Level: Junior (0-2 years) Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on the end-to-end creative execution of marketing and sales materials, directly impacting brand perception and customer engagement within a fast-growing pet company.
• The Junior Graphic Designer will be responsible for producing a variety of visual assets across digital and print mediums, including social media content, packaging artwork, and sales collateral.
• Success in this role requires a strong understanding of brand aesthetics, the ability to translate creative concepts into compelling designs, and proficiency in managing multiple design projects under deadlines.
• The position offers an opportunity to collaborate closely with the Senior Art Director, contributing to campaign development and ensuring a consistent brand experience across all customer touchpoints.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the original job title is "Graphic Designer - Junior," this role's responsibilities in creating "sell-in content," "sales materials," and "launch content" indicate a strong connection to Go-To-Market (GTM) operations and sales enablement. The focus on brand consistency and impactful design for sales initiatives positions this as a Marketing Operations or Creative Operations role, supporting the broader revenue generation efforts.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and design a wide range of marketing collateral, including promotional content, social media graphics, product launch assets, and digital advertising creative.
• Create and update packaging artwork, including mock-ups, ensuring adherence to brand guidelines and preparing files for print production.
• Design impactful sales enablement materials such as catalogues, sell sheets, and trade show booth graphics to support the sales team's effectiveness.
• Produce digital graphic applications for e-commerce and online channels, including website banners, email graphics, and social media visuals.
• Execute video content creation and editing, outputting both static graphics and dynamic video assets for various campaign needs.
• Edit product photos, lifestyle imagery, and perform realistic photo manipulations to enhance visual appeal and brand storytelling.
• Manage and prioritize multiple design projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery and meeting all project deadlines.
• Collaborate with the Senior Art Director on various creative projects and assist with additional design-related tasks as needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a need for strong organizational skills and project management within a creative context, aligning with operations principles of efficiency and timely delivery for GTM initiatives. The mention of "sell-in content" and "sales materials" highlights the direct support this role provides to sales operations and revenue generation.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's or Diploma in Graphic Design or a related creative field.

Experience: 1-2 years of professional experience in graphic design or a similar creative role, demonstrating a foundational understanding of design principles and application.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically:
  • Adobe Illustrator for vector graphics and illustration.
  • Adobe Photoshop for photo editing, manipulation, and raster graphics.
  • Adobe InDesign for layout design of print materials like catalogues and sell sheets.
  • Premiere Pro or After Effects for video editing and motion graphics creation.
• Exceptional attention to detail in interpreting project briefs and executing design work.
• Demonstrated ability to take creative initiative and ownership from initial concept to final output.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, fostering effective collaboration within a team environment.
• A proactive attitude with a willingness to learn, adapt to evolving project scopes, and embrace new creative challenges.
• Passion for pets, aligning with the company's brand identity and mission.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with digital asset management (DAM) systems for organizing and distributing creative assets.
• Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello) to track design workflows and deadlines.
• Basic understanding of print production processes and file preparation for various printing methods.
• Experience in e-commerce visual merchandising and digital marketing design best practices.
• Portfolio showcasing a strong grasp of brand consistency and creative storytelling across different media.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for specific Adobe Creative Suite tools (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, PremierePro/AfterEffects) is critical for this role. The emphasis on attention to detail, creative initiative, and communication skills points to the need for a candidate who can operate both autonomously and collaboratively, which are key traits for operational roles supporting cross-functional teams.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio demonstrating a range of design projects, showcasing versatility across digital and print mediums.
• Case studies or project examples that highlight the design process from concept development to final execution, illustrating problem-solving and creative decision-making.
• Visuals of marketing campaign elements, social media content, and sales enablement materials that reflect an understanding of brand messaging and target audience engagement.
• Examples of packaging design, including artwork updates and mock-ups, that demonstrate an ability to maintain brand aesthetics across product lines.
• A demonstration of proficiency in photo editing, retouching, and manipulation, showcasing an ability to enhance visual assets.

Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly stated, candidates are expected to demonstrate an organized approach to design project management, implying familiarity with workflow processes.
• Ability to follow and contribute to brand style guides and design process documentation to ensure consistency and quality.
• Experience in preparing design files for various output formats (print, web, social media), adhering to technical specifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a junior role, the portfolio is paramount. It serves as the primary evidence of process execution and creative capability. The emphasis should be on demonstrating the candidate's ability to follow established brand guidelines and design workflows, while also showcasing their creative problem-solving skills in executing design tasks that support marketing and sales objectives.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $45,000 - $60,000 CAD annually.

Explanation: This range is estimated based on junior graphic designer roles in Toronto, Ontario, considering the specified 1-2 years of experience and the hybrid work model. It reflects a competitive offering for a "Great Place to Work"-certified company that values its employees.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary.
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) for work-life balance.
• Comprehensive company-paid group benefits package, likely including health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Annual wellness stipend to support employee well-being.
• Dog-friendly workplace, offering a unique and positive work environment.
• Opportunity for growth and development within a dynamic company.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with a flexible hybrid work model. The expectation is one day per week in the Toronto office, specifically on Wednesdays.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided benefits are attractive and align with a company culture that prioritizes employee well-being and engagement. The "dog-friendly workplace" and "wellness stipend" are unique perks that contribute to a positive operational environment. The hybrid model with a designated office day is a common structure that balances flexibility with in-person collaboration.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Pet Apparel and Accessories. Canada Pooch operates in a rapidly growing, consumer-focused market driven by the humanization of pets. Company Size: Canada Pooch is described as one of North America's fastest-growing pet companies and is a "Great Place to Work"-certified company. This suggests a dynamic, expanding, and employee-centric environment, likely with a dedicated marketing and creative team. Founded: The founding date is not specified, but the company's growth trajectory indicates a relatively modern operation that has achieved significant market traction.

Team Structure:

• The Junior Graphic Designer will report to a Senior Art Director, indicating a hierarchical creative structure.
• Collaboration is expected with marketing and potentially sales teams to develop campaign assets and sales materials.
• The company culture emphasizes teamwork and entrepreneurial spirit, suggesting a collaborative atmosphere where individuals contribute broadly.

Methodology:

• Canada Pooch emphasizes innovation and creativity, suggesting a data-informed approach to design that considers market trends and customer preferences within the pet industry.
• The company's growth implies a focus on scalable processes and efficient execution of marketing initiatives.
• A "product-obsessed" culture suggests a commitment to quality and detail in all aspects of the business, including creative output.

Company Website: https://canadapooch.com/ (Inferred from domain_derived)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's "Great Place to Work" certification and emphasis on core values like "We stick together," "We do the right thing," and "We are all entrepreneurs" highlight a culture that values employee contribution, collaboration, and a proactive, ownership-driven mindset. This is highly relevant for operations roles where efficiency and cross-functional teamwork are key.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an entry-level to junior position within the creative operations function. The role provides foundational experience in marketing design production, brand management, and project coordination. Reporting Structure: The Junior Graphic Designer reports to the Senior Art Director, who likely oversees the creative strategy and execution. This provides a clear line of mentorship and guidance. Operations Impact: The graphic designer's work directly influences brand perception, marketing campaign effectiveness, and sales material quality. By creating compelling visuals, they contribute to customer engagement, brand loyalty, and ultimately, revenue generation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Potential to deepen expertise in specific design areas such as digital marketing design, packaging design, or motion graphics.
• Career Progression: Advancement to roles like Graphic Designer, Senior Graphic Designer, or Art Director within Canada Pooch, or transition into related fields like UI/UX design or brand management.
• Project Ownership: As experience grows, opportunities to take on more significant projects and lead creative execution for specific campaigns or product lines.
• Industry Exposure: Gaining experience in a fast-growing, competitive e-commerce and consumer goods market.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role serves as a crucial stepping stone for aspiring creative operations professionals. The emphasis on learning, adaptation, and contributing to a growing brand indicates a positive trajectory for individuals seeking to build a career in creative support functions that drive business results.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model. The job description specifies one day per week in the Toronto office, indicating a collaborative office space designed for team interaction. Office Location(s): Toronto, Ontario (M5R 2K9). This location is likely in a business district offering accessibility and amenities.

Workspace Context:

• The office environment is described as "dog-friendly," contributing to a unique and potentially more relaxed, yet productive, atmosphere.
• The hybrid model suggests a balance between focused individual work (potentially remote) and collaborative team activities (in-office).
• As a "Great Place to Work," the company likely fosters a supportive and engaging workspace that encourages creativity and teamwork.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week), with the flexibility of a hybrid arrangement. The designated office day (Wednesdays) facilitates team meetings and collaborative sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model and dog-friendly office are significant cultural indicators. For operations professionals, understanding the balance between remote flexibility and in-office collaboration is key to assessing team dynamics and personal productivity. The designated office day is a crucial operational detail for scheduling and planning.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and creative fit.
• Creative Assessment/Challenge: Candidates may be asked to complete a design exercise relevant to Canada Pooch's brand or marketing needs. This assesses practical skills, creative thinking, and adherence to brand guidelines.
• Interview with Hiring Manager/Team: Discussion about experience, skills, portfolio, and cultural fit. This may include questions about project management, collaboration, and problem-solving.
• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss role alignment and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects. For this role, prioritize examples of marketing collateral, social media graphics, packaging, and sales materials.
• Highlight Process: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your creative process, challenges faced, and the final outcome. Demonstrate how you translated objectives into design solutions.
• Showcase Brand Understanding: Include projects that demonstrate your ability to adapt to different brand styles, particularly showing how you've maintained consistency and executed within established guidelines.
• Quantify Impact (if possible): If any of your designs contributed to specific marketing goals (e.g., increased engagement, successful product launch), mention these achievements.
• Video/Motion Graphics: If you have relevant video editing or motion graphics work, ensure it's easily accessible and clearly labeled.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brand: Thoroughly research Canada Pooch's current marketing, social media presence, product lines, and overall brand aesthetic.
• Focus on Objectives: When tackling a design challenge, clearly identify the objective of the piece (e.g., drive website traffic, promote a new product).
• Adhere to Guidelines: Pay close attention to any specific instructions, brand guidelines, or target audience considerations provided in the challenge.
• Presentation Matters: Be prepared to articulate your design choices, rationale, and process clearly and concisely.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio and potential design challenges underscores the practical, results-oriented nature of this role. Demonstrating an understanding of how design supports marketing and sales objectives is crucial for a candidate to stand out.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for all design tasks. Proficiency in Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign is mandatory.
• Video Editing/Motion Graphics Software: Premiere Pro or After Effects are required for creating dynamic visual content.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly listed, understanding how design impacts engagement metrics (e.g., click-through rates on digital ads, social media engagement) would be beneficial. Familiarity with tools used for tracking these metrics (e.g., Google Analytics, social media analytics platforms) could be a plus.

CRM & Automation:

• No specific CRM or automation tools are mentioned for this role. The focus is purely on creative content generation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is mastery of the Adobe Creative Suite. This is a non-negotiable for any graphic design role, especially one that requires output across multiple media types.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Product Obsessed: A deep appreciation for the quality and design of Canada Pooch's products, reflected in the creative output.
• We are all entrepreneurs: Taking initiative, demonstrating ownership, and contributing ideas proactively to drive the brand forward.
• We stick together: Collaborative spirit, supporting team members and working effectively across departments to achieve common goals.
• We do the right thing: Upholding ethical standards and ensuring design work aligns with brand integrity and customer trust.
• We tell it like it is: Honest and transparent communication, essential for feedback and collaborative problem-solving.
• We’ve got our customer’s back: Designing with the customer's needs and experience at the forefront.

Collaboration Style:

• The role involves working closely with a Senior Art Director, implying a mentorship and guidance-driven collaboration.
• Cross-functional collaboration with marketing and potentially sales teams is expected, requiring effective communication and ability to interpret briefs.
• The "Great Place to Work" certification suggests a supportive environment that encourages open communication and teamwork.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's core values are highly relevant to an operations-minded individual. They emphasize accountability, proactivity, and teamwork, which are critical for ensuring marketing and sales initiatives are executed efficiently and effectively.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Multiple Projects: Effectively managing and prioritizing a diverse workload to meet various deadlines across different marketing channels.
• Brand Consistency: Maintaining a consistent brand voice and visual identity across all creative outputs, especially when working with different product lines or campaign themes.
• Adapting to Trends: Staying current with design trends, social media platform changes, and evolving customer preferences in the pet industry.
• Feedback Integration: Receiving and implementing constructive feedback from stakeholders while maintaining creative vision.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mentorship from Senior Art Director: Direct guidance and learning from an experienced creative professional.
• Exposure to Fast-Paced Growth: Gaining experience in a rapidly expanding company, learning about scaling creative operations.
• Diverse Project Experience: Working on a wide array of design projects for different marketing and sales needs, building a comprehensive portfolio.
• Industry Knowledge: Deepening understanding of the pet industry and consumer marketing strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant opportunities for a junior designer to develop robust project management, brand stewardship, and creative execution skills within a supportive, growth-oriented environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Portfolio Walkthrough: Be prepared to discuss 2-3 key projects in detail, explaining your role, design process, challenges, and solutions. Focus on how your design decisions supported the project's objectives.
• Brand Understanding: How do you interpret the Canada Pooch brand? What elements of their current marketing and design appeal to you, and where do you see opportunities for creative enhancement?
• Project Management: Describe a time you had to manage multiple design projects with competing deadlines. How did you prioritize and ensure timely delivery?
• Creative Problem-Solving: Tell me about a time you received challenging feedback on a design. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?
• Tool Proficiency: Demonstrate your familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite. Be ready to discuss specific features or techniques you use regularly.

Company & Culture Questions:

• What interests you about Canada Pooch and the pet industry?
• How do you align with Canada Pooch's core values (e.g., entrepreneurship, collaboration, product obsession)?
• How do you stay updated on design trends and best practices?
• Describe your ideal work environment and team dynamic.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame your portfolio pieces as mini-stories, detailing the problem, your solution, and the results.
• Visual Clarity: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and visually appealing. Use high-quality mock-ups.
• Conciseness: Keep your explanations brief and to the point, focusing on impact and relevance to the role.
• Enthusiasm: Show passion for design and for the Canada Pooch brand.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not just technical design skills, but also their understanding of how design functions within a business context to support marketing and sales goals, and their ability to integrate into a collaborative and fast-paced team.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your resume and a link to your online portfolio through the provided application link.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features examples relevant to marketing collateral, social media content, packaging design, and sales materials. Tailor your project selection to showcase your ability to create impactful visuals for a consumer brand.
• Resume Optimization: Highlight your experience with Adobe Creative Suite, any project management skills, and achievements related to creating marketing or sales assets. Use keywords like "graphic design," "Adobe Creative Suite," "marketing collateral," "brand consistency," and "project deadlines."
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and how your work contributes to business objectives. Prepare to discuss your experience with the required software and your understanding of the Canada Pooch brand.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Canada Pooch's products, marketing campaigns, and core values. Understand their position in the pet industry to better align your responses with their mission and culture.

⚠️ 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.