Intermediate Graphic Designer, 16 Month Contract

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Intermediate Graphic Designer, 16 Month Contract

Company: CONA Services (Coke Canada Bottling)

Location: Brampton, ON, Canada

Job Type: Contract

Category: Marketing & Design Operations

Date Posted: January 23, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on translating creative briefs into visually engaging graphic assets for both traditional and digital channels, supporting Coke Canada's in-trade initiatives.

• The Graphic Designer will be responsible for the end-to-end design process, from concept development to final production, ensuring brand alignment and campaign objectives are met.

• A key aspect of this position involves acting as a liaison between external partner brands and the internal design team, fostering strong collaborative relationships.

• The role requires meticulous attention to detail, strong time management skills, and the ability to manage multiple competing deadlines within a dynamic hybrid work environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Graphic Designer," its placement within a large beverage company like Coke Canada Bottling suggests a strong connection to marketing operations and GTM (Go-To-Market) strategies. The emphasis on "in-trade initiatives" and "partner brands" indicates a need for design that directly supports sales, promotion, and brand presence in retail environments. This role is not purely aesthetic; it's about driving commercial outcomes through visual communication.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and design a diverse range of traditional graphic elements and online assets to effectively promote Coke Canada's in-trade initiatives and marketing campaigns.

• Translate complex creative briefs into compelling, visually engaging design solutions that resonate with target audiences and align with overarching brand and campaign objectives.

• Manage the entire design lifecycle for various projects, from initial concept ideation through to final production, ensuring all deliverables meet high-quality standards.

• Collaborate closely with fellow graphic designers, marketing teams, and other internal departments to brainstorm innovative ideas and develop novel approaches to graphic creation.

• Prepare and finalize artwork for print and digital production, operating necessary equipment and software with a high degree of proficiency.

• Coordinate with external suppliers, vendors, and internal/external stakeholders to ensure smooth project execution and timely delivery of design assets.

• Contribute actively to team efforts by accomplishing tasks efficiently and supporting colleagues as needed to achieve collective goals.

• Communicate effectively with stakeholders regarding layout, design concepts, and project progress, providing clear rationale for design decisions.

• Review final layouts and designs rigorously, identifying and implementing improvements to enhance visual impact and effectiveness.

• Prepare finished goods for packing and shipping, when required, demonstrating a holistic understanding of the production and distribution pipeline.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative execution and project management. For operations professionals, this translates to managing the "design pipeline" – ensuring a consistent flow of high-quality, on-brand assets that support sales and marketing efforts. The emphasis on stakeholder communication and coordination with external partners is crucial for understanding the operational workflows of a large consumer goods company.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years of professional experience as a Graphic Designer or in a similar creative role, with demonstrated success in producing impactful design work.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrable Graphic Design Skills: Proven ability to create compelling visuals for print, digital, and in-store applications, supported by a strong portfolio.

• Proficiency in Design Software: Expert-level command of Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator, for efficient and high-quality asset creation.

• Understanding of Marketing & Production: Solid grasp of marketing principles, production processes, corporate identity guidelines, and product packaging design requirements.

• Visual Composition and Detail Orientation: Exceptional eye for visual composition, layout, typography, and an unwavering attention to detail.

• Time Management & Prioritization: Highly effective time management skills, with the proven ability to manage multiple, competing deadlines and prioritize projects in a fast-paced environment.

• Interpersonal Skills: Strong people management and interpersonal skills, facilitating effective collaboration and communication with diverse teams and stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Bilingualism: Fluency in both English and French is a significant asset, enabling communication with a broader range of stakeholders and markets.

• Motion Graphics/Video Editing: Basic understanding or experience with motion graphics or video editing software can be beneficial for digital asset creation.

• Brand Guidelines Management: Experience in adhering to and applying strict brand guidelines for a major CPG brand.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize technical design proficiency alongside crucial soft skills like time management and interpersonal communication. For operations candidates, this means highlighting experience in managing project timelines, liaising with different departments (e.g., Marketing, Sales), and demonstrating how design output directly supported business objectives. The mention of "corporate identity" and "product packaging" suggests a need for understanding brand consistency and its impact on market perception.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Diverse Project Showcase: Include a minimum of 5-7 distinct projects that demonstrate a range of design capabilities across different mediums (print, digital, in-store).

• Brand Integration Examples: Showcase projects where you successfully integrated and applied brand guidelines for established brands, illustrating adherence to corporate identity standards.

• Campaign-Specific Assets: Feature examples of design work created for specific marketing campaigns or promotional initiatives, highlighting the strategic intent behind the visuals.

• Process Rationale: For 1-2 key projects, briefly articulate the design process, including the brief, conceptualization, execution, and any stakeholder feedback or iterative changes made.

• Digital Asset Examples: Include examples of digital assets such as social media graphics, web banners, or email templates, demonstrating proficiency in digital design formats.

Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly stated as a deliverable, candidates should be prepared to discuss their design process and how they manage workflow, feedback loops, and production timelines to ensure efficiency and quality.

• Be ready to explain how you ensure brand consistency and accuracy across all design deliverables, demonstrating an understanding of process control in creative output.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations professionals, the "portfolio" is akin to a "process portfolio" or "project portfolio." It's not just about the final visuals but the process behind them. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their workflow, how they manage projects from brief to completion, and how they ensure quality and brand consistency. This demonstrates operational efficiency in a creative context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The full base salary range for this position is from $70,650 - $90,125 CAD annually.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Designed to support employees' physical, mental, financial, and overall health and well-being.

• Retirement and Saving Programs: Access to programs to support long-term financial planning.

• Family and Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential support services for employees and their families.

• Paid Vacation and Floater Days: Generous time off for rest, rejuvenation, and personal needs.

• On-the-job Training: Opportunities for skill development and learning.

• Library of Free Courses: Access to a range of online learning resources for "just-in-time" skill enhancement.

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time position.

• The standard working hours are likely 40 hours per week, though specific daily schedules may vary.

• The role is designated as Hybrid, indicating a blend of in-office and remote work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for an intermediate graphic designer role in the Toronto/Brampton area. The benefits package is robust, reflecting a commitment to employee well-being and professional development, which is attractive for contract roles seeking stability and support. The hybrid nature of the work arrangement is a key consideration for work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Food & Beverage (Beverages - Soft Drinks)

Company Size: Large Enterprise (Coke Canada Bottling is part of a global brand, with over 6,000 employees coast-to-coast in Canada).

Founded: Coke Canada Bottling is a long-standing entity, operating as a Canadian, family-owned business that is a "local bottler" for Coca-Cola products. The emphasis is on being "Made Local."

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will likely be part of a Marketing or Creative department, potentially within a larger Brand or Communications team.

• The role involves collaboration with fellow graphic designers, suggesting a small, focused design unit.

• Cross-functional collaboration is expected with marketing, sales, and potentially product development teams to ensure design initiatives align with business objectives.

Methodology:

• Design conceptualization is driven by studying relevant information and materials, translating creative briefs into visual solutions.

• Emphasis on delivering "brilliant creative ideas" with "amazing attention to detail."

• Collaboration is a core methodology, involving brainstorming and developing new approaches with team members.

• A strong focus on brand consistency and adherence to corporate identity and product packaging standards.

• The company promotes a "high-performing, collaborative and inclusive culture."

Company Website: https://cokecanada.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Coke Canada Bottling positions itself as a large, established player with a strong local presence and commitment to community. The culture appears to blend corporate structure with a family-owned business ethos, emphasizing collaboration, development, and diversity. For operations professionals, understanding how creative functions integrate with broader business goals is key, especially in a consumer-facing industry.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level:

Reporting Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will likely report to a Design Lead, Art Director, or Marketing Manager.

• They will collaborate with a team of fellow graphic designers and work closely with marketing managers, brand managers, and potentially sales teams.

Operations Impact:

• The work of the Graphic Designer directly impacts brand perception, campaign effectiveness, and sales enablement.

• High-quality, on-brand creative assets are crucial for driving consumer engagement, promoting products in retail environments, and supporting overall marketing objectives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Potential to deepen expertise in specific design areas (e.g., packaging design, digital marketing assets, in-store POS materials).

• Senior Designer/Art Director Path: With strong performance and portfolio development, progression to a Senior Graphic Designer or Art Director role is possible.

• Marketing Operations Integration: Opportunity to gain exposure to broader marketing operations, campaign management, and brand strategy through cross-functional collaboration.

• Contract to Permanent: Depending on business needs and performance, contract roles can sometimes lead to permanent positions.

• Learning & Development: Access to on-the-job training and a library of free courses supports continuous skill enhancement relevant to design and potentially marketing operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This contract role offers a solid stepping stone for designers looking to gain experience with a major brand. The growth opportunities are primarily within the design discipline but also touch upon broader marketing operations through collaboration. For operations-minded individuals, highlighting the project management and process efficiency aspects of design execution will be crucial for demonstrating transferable skills.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid Work Environment. This means a combination of working remotely and from the office.

Office Location(s): Brampton, ON. The specific office address is not provided, but the postal code L6T 5T4 indicates the area.

• Accessibility: Brampton is a major city in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), well-served by public transportation and major highways, making it accessible for commuters.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Space: The office environment is likely designed to foster collaboration, with meeting rooms and shared workspaces for team brainstorming and project reviews.

• Technology Access: Employees will have access to company-provided hardware, software (Adobe Creative Suite), and network resources necessary for design work.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid model necessitates intentional efforts for team interaction, potentially through scheduled in-office days for collaborative projects and team meetings.

Work Schedule:

• The role is full-time, typically 40 hours per week.

• The hybrid arrangement allows for flexibility in managing work location, but specific in-office days will likely be scheduled to optimize team collaboration and project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a significant factor, requiring strong self-discipline and communication skills to manage remote work effectively while also contributing to in-office team dynamics. Operations professionals often thrive in structured environments, and understanding the company's approach to hybrid work (e.g., designated in-office days, communication protocols) is key.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of resumes and portfolios by a Talent Acquisition specialist or hiring manager.

• Portfolio Review & Discussion: A dedicated session to walk through the candidate's portfolio, discussing design choices, process, and impact.

• Skills Assessment/Creative Challenge: Potentially a short, timed design exercise or case study to evaluate practical skills and problem-solving abilities relevant to Coke Canada's needs.

• Behavioral & Situational Interviews: Questions assessing teamwork, communication, time management, and ability to handle constructive criticism.

• Final Interview: May involve meeting with a senior leader or a broader interview panel.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your skills relevant to CPG marketing, in-trade promotions, and brand consistency. Prioritize quality over quantity.

• Tell a Story: For each project, be prepared to discuss the brief, your creative process, the challenges faced, the solutions implemented, and the measurable impact (if possible).

• Highlight Brand Alignment: Emphasize projects where you successfully adhered to or developed brand guidelines, demonstrating an understanding of brand integrity.

• Showcase Versatility: Include examples of both print and digital assets to demonstrate a broad skill set.

• Prepare for Technical Questions: Be ready to discuss your proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and other relevant design tools.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a creative challenge is given, ensure you understand the brief thoroughly.

• Focus on delivering a clear, well-reasoned concept that addresses the core objective, even if it's not fully rendered.

• Prioritize impact and strategic thinking over intricate detail if time is limited.

• Be prepared to articulate your thought process and design rationale clearly and concisely.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a creative role like this will heavily weigh the portfolio. Candidates should treat their portfolio as a demonstration of their operational efficiency in design – how they take a brief and turn it into a tangible, effective output. Understanding the "why" behind design decisions is as important as the "what."

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.
  • InDesign: For layout design, print production, and multi-page documents (brochures, flyers).
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, illustrations, and complex visual elements.

• Microsoft Office Suite / Google Workspace: For general document creation, presentations, and collaboration (Word/Docs, PowerPoint/Slides).

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly utilized by the Graphic Designer, but awareness of CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms (e.g., Marketo, HubSpot) can provide context for how design assets are deployed in campaigns.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. For operations professionals, understanding that these tools are part of a larger marketing technology stack is important. The designer's output feeds into campaigns managed through CRM and automation tools, so an awareness of this ecosystem, even if not hands-on, is valuable.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on working together, both within the design team and across departments, to achieve common goals.

• Quality & Detail: A commitment to producing high-quality work with meticulous attention to detail, reflecting the standards of a major global brand.

• Efficiency: The need to manage time effectively and deliver projects within deadlines, crucial for supporting dynamic marketing and sales initiatives.

• Brand Integrity: Upholding and enhancing the Coke Canada brand through consistent and impactful visual communication.

• Customer Focus: Designing with the end consumer and in-store experience in mind, understanding that visuals influence purchasing decisions.

• Diversity & Inclusion: The company actively promotes a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, encouraging applications from all backgrounds.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to work closely with marketing, sales, and potentially product teams to align creative output with business strategy.

• Feedback Exchange: An environment where giving and receiving constructive criticism is expected and valued for continuous improvement.

• Partner Collaboration: A key aspect involves acting as a bridge between internal teams and external partner brands, requiring strong communication and relationship-building skills.

• Shared Learning: The company culture supports learning, with opportunities for on-the-job training and access to online courses.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values highlight a blend of creative excellence and operational rigor. For operations professionals, recognizing how these values translate into daily work – e.g., structured feedback sessions, clear brand guidelines as a form of process control, and cross-functional alignment meetings – is important for cultural fit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Multiple Deadlines: Effectively managing a high volume of diverse design projects simultaneously, each with its own set of priorities and deadlines.

• Brand Consistency Across Partners: Ensuring that design work for various partner brands maintains internal brand integrity while meeting external brand requirements.

• Translating Complex Briefs: Interpreting and translating marketing objectives and strategic information into clear, compelling visual communications.

• Adapting to Hybrid Work: Navigating the nuances of a hybrid work environment, ensuring seamless collaboration and productivity regardless of location.

• Staying Current with Trends: Keeping pace with evolving design trends, software updates, and digital marketing best practices to ensure contemporary and effective creative output.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Design Skills: Deepen expertise in areas like packaging design, digital asset creation for e-commerce, or motion graphics.

• Brand Management Exposure: Gain insights into broader brand strategy and how design contributes to overall marketing success.

• Project Management Skills: Enhance skills in managing creative projects from conception to completion, including stakeholder management and timeline adherence.

• Industry Trends & Software: Continuous learning about new design tools, techniques, and industry best practices through company resources and self-study.

• Networking: Building relationships within a large organization and with external partners offers valuable professional connections.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for intermediate designers in large organizations. For operations-minded candidates, framing these challenges in terms of process improvement, risk mitigation, and efficiency gains will be beneficial. The growth opportunities highlight pathways for career advancement within design and potential for broader marketing operations exposure.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Portfolio Walkthrough: Be prepared to present 2-3 key projects in detail. For each:

  • What was the initial brief or objective?
  • What was your creative process?
  • What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
  • What was the outcome or impact of your design?
  • Why did you make specific design choices (color, typography, layout)?

• Brand Understanding: How would you ensure brand consistency across multiple Coca-Cola brands and partner products?

• Process Management: Describe your process for managing multiple design projects with competing deadlines. How do you prioritize?

• Collaboration: How do you handle receiving constructive criticism on your designs? Describe a time you collaborated with a non-designer to achieve a creative goal.

Company & Culture Questions:

• What interests you about working for Coke Canada Bottling and this specific role?

• How do you contribute to a collaborative and inclusive work environment?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Visual Storytelling: Use your portfolio to tell a story about your capabilities and problem-solving approach.

• Focus on Impact: Where possible, quantify the impact of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, successful campaign launch).

• Highlight Process: Briefly explain your workflow for key projects to demonstrate efficiency and strategic thinking.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects relevant to CPG marketing, in-store promotions, and brand consistency.

• Be Prepared for Technical Q&A: Discuss your comfort level with specific Adobe Creative Suite tools and any other relevant software.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for this role should focus on demonstrating not just creative talent but also operational capabilities in design. This includes project management, process adherence, stakeholder communication, and an understanding of how design contributes to business objectives.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-adjacent design position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the CONA Services careers portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience with graphic design software (Adobe Creative Suite), project management of creative assets, and any experience with CPG brands or marketing initiatives. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible (e.g., via a link on your resume or a dedicated portfolio website) and showcases your best work relevant to the job description, with a focus on process and brand adherence.

• Prepare for the Interview: Practice articulating your design process, decision-making rationale, and experience with collaboration and time management. Research Coke Canada Bottling's current marketing campaigns and brand initiatives.

• Understand the Hybrid Model: Be ready to discuss how you manage productivity and collaboration in a hybrid work setup.

⚠️ 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.