Graphic Designer - Turf

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer - Turf Company: Shaw Location: Calhoun, Georgia, United States; Dalton, Georgia, United States Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Services Date Posted: 2025-11-01 Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years) Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is central to visual content creation and brand consistency for Shaw Turf's sports, landscape, and golf market segments.
• Will lead the conceptualization and execution of athletic field rendering projects, translating ideas into manufacturable designs.
• Requires close collaboration with marketing, operations, digital media, and other stakeholders to deliver impactful visual assets.
• Focuses on creating both digital and print collateral, including campaign assets, web graphics, social media content, event materials, and customer-specific field designs.
• Leverages AI design tools to enhance efficiency and creative output within an in-house creative environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Graphic Designer," the description heavily emphasizes supporting marketing, brand, and operations, with a specific focus on product visualization and custom client designs. This suggests a strong alignment with marketing operations and creative services functions, requiring an understanding of Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies and how design directly supports sales enablement and brand positioning. The "operations" mentioned in the description indicates a need for cross-functional understanding and process integration.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Drive the design and execution of creative content across digital and print mediums to support brand and marketing objectives.
• Serve as a creative consultant for the Game On and CreaTurf product lines, including managing and guiding interns or contractors on custom field renderings.
• Collaborate with marketing teams to develop design strategies that align with overarching brand goals and campaign objectives.
• Utilize advanced AI design tools to enhance design workflows, streamline processes, and explore innovative visual concepts.
• Ensure strict adherence to brand guidelines across all design outputs to maintain a consistent and recognizable brand identity.
• Stay abreast of the latest industry design trends, technologies, and best practices, integrating them into design methodologies.
• Manage multiple high-stakes projects simultaneously under tight deadlines, adapting to revisions and shifting priorities effectively.
• Liaise with suppliers and creative vendors for price quotes and to ensure timely production of design assets.
• Uphold and manage the identity and design standards for all turf brands within the Shaw portfolio.
• Apply strong layout, design, and typographic skills to create visually appealing and effective communication materials.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility of "managing 1-3 interns/contractors focused on customized field renderings" and "overseeing custom field-designs for key customers" alongside "CAD Engineers" implies a project management and stakeholder coordination element beyond typical graphic design. This role requires not just creative execution but also the ability to manage workflow, delegate tasks, and ensure final designs meet technical and client specifications, aligning it with operational aspects of creative delivery.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• Proven experience as a graphic designer, with a preference for experience in B2B and B2C sectors.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in industry-standard design software, specifically Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).
• Strong digital design skills, including experience with video and web design elements.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with a proven ability to thrive in cross-functional teams.
• Technical design skills including file preparation for print and digital, scaling, and understanding of pattern repeat requirements.
• Strong layout, design, and typographic skills.
• Experience utilizing AI design tools to enhance creative processes.
• Ability to understand and apply brand guidelines consistently.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in an educational, agency, or corporate creative environment.
• A passion for sports or familiarity with the sports industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "Technical design skills: file prep, scaling, and pattern repeat knowledge" is crucial for ensuring designs are production-ready, especially in a manufacturing context like Shaw Turf. This goes beyond aesthetic design and touches on the operational aspects of design implementation. The mention of "AI design tools" indicates a forward-thinking approach to creative workflows, which is increasingly relevant in operations and GTM.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of design work, with a strong emphasis on B2B and B2C campaign assets, digital content, and print collateral.
• Specific examples of athletic field renderings or similar visualization projects that demonstrate conceptualization and execution.
• Case studies or examples that highlight how design solutions addressed specific marketing or business objectives.
• Demonstrations of proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and any AI design tools used.
• Work that illustrates strong layout, typography, and adherence to brand guidelines.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of how design projects were managed from brief to completion, including revision processes and stakeholder feedback integration.
• Any instances where design processes were optimized for efficiency or improved outcomes.
• Demonstrations of file management and preparation for various production workflows (print, web, video).

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role involving custom field designs and collaboration with engineers, the portfolio should ideally showcase not just final creative but also the process of concept development, client interaction, and adaptation to technical specifications. This demonstrates an understanding of the full design lifecycle and its integration with other operational functions.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Mid-Level Graphic Designer in the Georgia region, with 2-5 years of experience, the estimated salary range is $55,000 - $75,000 annually. This range accounts for the specific responsibilities including project leadership, client-facing aspects, and the use of advanced design tools.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) option.
• Access to Shaw Family Health and Dental Centers.
• Behavioral and Mental Health Support services.
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO).
• Bereavement and Holiday Pay.
• Paid Parental Leave and Leave of Absence Pay.
• Employee Discounts on Shaw products and services.
• Wellness Incentive Program to encourage healthy lifestyles.
• Career Development and Education Assistance to support professional growth.
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with company matching potential.
• Disability and Life Insurance coverage.
• Financial and Retirement Planning resources.
• Medical and Social Security Assistance.

Working Hours:

• 40 hours per week, typically an 8-hour, non-rotating shift.
• Standard business hours, starting in the AM.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided benefits are extensive and suggest a company that invests in employee well-being and professional development, which is attractive to operations professionals who often value stability and growth opportunities. The salary estimate is based on typical mid-level graphic designer roles in the Southeast US, adjusted for the specific responsibilities and industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Shaw Industries is a global leader in the flooring industry, with a significant presence in synthetic turf through its Shaw Turf division. This division supports the sports, landscape, and golf markets, indicating a focus on high-performance, durable, and aesthetically pleasing solutions. Company Size: Shaw Industries is a large, established company. While specific numbers for the Turf division aren't provided, Shaw Industries as a whole employs thousands, indicating a structured corporate environment with ample resources and established processes. Founded: Shaw Industries was founded in 1946, bringing decades of experience and stability to its operations and market presence.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the in-house "content+creative" team, suggesting a centralized creative function.
• This team collaborates closely with marketing managers, operations, digital media producers, and other stakeholders across different brands (Shaw Turf, Game On, CreaTurf).
• The role involves working alongside CAD Engineers for field rendering projects, highlighting cross-functional integration with technical teams.
• There's an opportunity to manage and mentor interns or contract designers, indicating potential for leadership within creative projects.

Methodology:

• Design processes are expected to be data-informed and aligned with brand goals, implying a strategic approach to creative output.
• Collaboration is key, suggesting a methodology that values input from various departments to ensure designs meet diverse stakeholder needs.
• The integration of AI design tools points towards a forward-thinking methodology that embraces technology for efficiency and innovation.
• Adherence to brand guidelines and industry best practices forms the foundation of their design methodology.

Company Website: https://careers.shawinc.com/us/en

📝 Enhancement Note: Shaw's long history and large size suggest a stable work environment with established career paths. The emphasis on "content+creative" team collaborating with "marketing, operations, digital media" indicates a GTM structure where creative services are deeply integrated into broader Go-To-Market strategies, requiring operations-minded thinking from creative professionals.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level Graphic Designer, typically requiring 2-5 years of experience. It offers a blend of creative execution and project leadership, particularly in specialized areas like field renderings. It serves as a crucial link between creative concept and tangible product/marketing material.

Reporting Structure: The designer reports into the "content+creative" team, likely under a Creative Director or Manager. They will collaborate extensively with Marketing Managers and Operations stakeholders, indicating a matrixed reporting or strong dotted-line influence from these departments.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts brand perception, marketing campaign effectiveness, sales enablement (through visual aids and custom designs), and product visualization. For Shaw Turf, compelling visuals are critical for showcasing product aesthetics, performance, and custom solutions to B2B clients (sports facilities, golf courses) and B2C audiences, thereby driving demand and supporting revenue. The ability to translate technical concepts (like field layouts) into understandable and attractive visuals is a key operational contribution.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to become a subject matter expert in sports turf visualization and design, a niche but valuable skill.
• Leadership: Potential to lead design projects, manage interns/contractors, and influence design strategy within the Turf division.
• Skill Development: Continuous learning in emerging AI design tools, digital media, and GTM design best practices.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Deepen understanding of marketing operations, sales enablement, and product development through close collaboration.
• Career Progression: Potential advancement to Senior Graphic Designer, Creative Lead, or roles within broader marketing operations or brand management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role's unique focus on athletic field renderings and custom designs offers a specialized growth path. For someone interested in operations, this role provides a tangible way to see how design directly supports sales and customer success by visualizing complex solutions, making it a valuable stepping stone for those looking to bridge creative and operational functions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a hybrid role, requiring 3 days per week in the office, indicating a blend of in-person collaboration and remote work flexibility. The office environment is described as "in-house creative."

Office Location(s): The role is based in Calhoun, Georgia, with potential overlap or interaction with operations in Dalton, Georgia. Both locations are in Northwest Georgia.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role emphasizes close collaboration with creative leaders, marketing managers, operations, and digital media producers, suggesting an open and interactive workspace conducive to brainstorming and feedback.
• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and emerging AI design tools is expected, providing professionals with modern creative resources.
• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with internal teams and potentially external vendors/suppliers for project execution.

Work Schedule: The standard 40-hour work week with an 8-hour AM shift provides a predictable schedule, allowing for effective planning of both creative tasks and operational responsibilities. Hybrid work offers flexibility in managing personal and professional time.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature (3 days in-office) is a common setup for roles that require both focused individual work and collaborative team interaction, typical in marketing operations and creative departments. This balance is often preferred by professionals who need to engage with cross-functional teams for strategy alignment and project execution.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter screens applications and resumes for basic qualifications and cultural fit.
2. Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the hiring manager to assess technical skills, experience, and understanding of design principles, brand strategy, and project management.
3. Portfolio Review & Creative Challenge: A dedicated session to review the candidate's portfolio. This may include a practical design exercise or a case study presentation focusing on a specific challenge relevant to Shaw Turf's needs (e.g., designing a campaign asset, conceptualizing a field rendering).
4. Cross-Functional/Team Interview: Meeting with key stakeholders from marketing, operations, or digital media to evaluate collaboration skills and understanding of their respective functions.
5. Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader for final approval.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Showcase projects that best align with the responsibilities outlined, especially B2B/B2C examples, digital/print collateral, and any visualization or custom design work.
• Highlight Process: For key projects, be prepared to walk through your design process, including concept development, problem-solving, stakeholder feedback incorporation, and final execution.
• Demonstrate Impact: If possible, quantify the impact of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, successful campaign metrics). For field renderings, emphasize clarity and appeal.
• Showcase Software Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your expertise in Adobe Creative Suite and your experience with AI design tools.
• Address Shaw Turf Context: Tailor your presentation to reflect an understanding of the sports turf industry and Shaw's brands.

Challenge Preparation:

• Research Shaw Turf: Understand their brands (Shaw Sports Turf, Game On, CreaTurf), target markets, and recent campaigns.
• Practice Design Challenges: Be ready to tackle a prompt similar to designing a social media graphic, a brochure layout, or a concept for a field rendering. Focus on quick ideation, clear communication of your thought process, and efficient execution within time constraints.
• Prepare for Collaboration Scenarios: Think about how you would collaborate with marketers on campaign briefs or engineers on technical specifications for field designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "operations" and "stakeholders" in the job description suggests interviewers will probe how candidates manage projects, communicate with non-design teams, and ensure designs meet operational requirements (e.g., production feasibility, brand consistency across channels). A portfolio that details process and collaboration will be highly advantageous.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign are explicitly mentioned as requirements. Proficiency is essential for all design tasks.
• AI Design Tools: Mentioned as a key area for enhancing design processes. Candidates should be prepared to discuss experience with tools like Midjourney, DALL-E, Adobe Firefly, or similar AI-powered creative platforms.
• Potential for Video Editing Software: Given "video" is mentioned in digital design scope, experience with Adobe Premiere Pro or After Effects may be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as a requirement, designers often use analytics to inform creative decisions. Familiarity with how design impacts metrics (e.g., website engagement, social media interaction) is a plus.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the designer's core tools but understanding how marketing assets integrate with CRM or marketing automation platforms is beneficial for GTM alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "AI design tools" is a significant indicator of the employer's interest in modern, efficient creative workflows. Candidates should highlight any experience or willingness to learn and apply these tools, as this is a key differentiator and aligns with operational efficiency goals.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Initiate Action: Proactively take ownership of design projects and drive them forward, especially in managing renderings and contractor work.
• Build Customer Satisfaction: Create designs that resonate with target audiences (B2B clients, consumers) and support sales and marketing objectives, ultimately contributing to customer satisfaction.
• Adapt and Change: Be flexible and responsive to evolving project needs, design trends, and feedback in a fast-paced environment.
• Deliver Compelling Communication: Translate complex ideas into clear, visually engaging designs that effectively communicate brand messages and product value.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Work seamlessly with marketing, operations, and technical teams, understanding their needs and contributing effectively to shared goals.
• Process Review & Feedback: Actively participate in design reviews, provide constructive feedback, and incorporate feedback from stakeholders to refine designs.
• Knowledge Sharing: Share design insights, best practices, and learnings from AI tools or industry trends with the broader team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The listed competencies (Initiate Action, Build Customer Satisfaction, Adapt and Change, Deliver Compelling Communication) are core to many operational roles, emphasizing proactivity, customer focus, adaptability, and effective communication – all critical for a designer embedded within marketing operations and GTM functions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Brand/Technical Constraints: Ensuring unique creative output aligns with strict brand guidelines and specific technical requirements for field renderings and production.
• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Effectively translating input from marketing, sales, operations, and engineering into cohesive visual solutions.
• Adapting to Rapidly Evolving Design Technology: Staying current with AI tools and other emerging technologies while maintaining a strong foundation in core design principles.
• Meeting Tight Deadlines in a Fast-Paced Environment: Juggling multiple high-priority projects with competing deadlines common in marketing and GTM cycles.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-powered creative tools and their application in professional design workflows.
• Industry-Specific Design: Become an expert in the unique design needs of the sports turf industry.
• Project Leadership: Develop skills in managing small teams (interns/contractors) and leading specific design initiatives.
• GTM Strategy Understanding: Gain greater insight into how design directly supports sales enablement, marketing campaigns, and overall business strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenge of "balancing creative vision with brand/technical constraints" is a hallmark of operations-focused roles where efficiency, standardization, and functionality are as important as aesthetics. Growth opportunities in GTM strategy understanding are particularly relevant for operations professionals.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate a complex technical concept or client requirement into a visually appealing design. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on process, problem-solving, and results.)
• "How do you ensure your designs effectively support marketing and sales objectives, especially in a B2B context like ours?" (Look for understanding of GTM impact.)
• "Walk us through your process for managing feedback from multiple stakeholders with potentially conflicting opinions. Provide an example." (Assesses collaboration and adaptation skills.)
• "How have you used AI design tools to improve your workflow or achieve better results? What are your thoughts on their role in professional design?" (Evaluates technical curiosity and efficiency focus.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Shaw Turf and this specific role within our creative team?" (Research Shaw Turf's brands and market position.)
• "Describe your ideal collaborative environment. How do you contribute to a positive and productive team dynamic?" (Relate to the hybrid, cross-functional nature of the role.)
• "How do you stay updated on design trends and incorporate them into your work while respecting brand consistency?" (Shows initiative and strategic thinking.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by project type or by the problem solved. For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the tools used, your process, the solution, and the outcome/impact.
• Highlight Key Projects: Focus on 3-5 projects that best demonstrate your skills in digital design, print collateral, brand consistency, and especially any visualization or custom rendering work.
• Quantify Impact: If possible, use metrics to show how your designs contributed to business goals.
• Discuss AI Tools: Be ready to demonstrate or discuss how you've used AI tools and how they fit into your overall design strategy.
• Engage in Dialogue: Treat the portfolio review as a conversation, not just a presentation. Be prepared for questions about your choices and process.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will likely be assessing not just design talent but also the candidate's ability to operate within a structured business environment. Demonstrating an understanding of how design contributes to operational efficiency, brand integrity, and revenue generation will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Shaw careers website.
• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience in B2B/B2C design, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, and any experience with AI design tools or project management. Quantify achievements where possible.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio prominently features relevant work, including any visualization or custom design projects, and clearly articulates your design process and impact. Have specific examples ready to discuss.
• Prepare for Design Challenges: Practice creating design assets under timed conditions and be ready to articulate your thought process and strategic choices.
• Research Shaw Turf: Familiarize yourself with Shaw Industries, Shaw Turf's brands (Shaw Sports Turf, Game On, CreaTurf), and their market presence to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding during interviews.

⚠️ 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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