Junior Graphic Designer & Marketing Coordinator, Onsite in Vernon, CA

Parallel Partners
Full-timeβ€’$55k-65k/year (USD)β€’Vernon, United States

πŸ“ Job Overview

Job Title: Junior Graphic Designer & Marketing Coordinator

Company: Parallel Partners

Location: Vernon, California, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Marketing & Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-19

Experience Level: 0-2 Years

Remote Status: On-site

πŸš€ Role Summary

  • This role is an integral part of the Go-To-Market (GTM) operations, focusing on creative execution and logistical coordination for marketing initiatives.

  • It requires a blend of design proficiency, project management, and administrative support to ensure seamless execution of marketing campaigns and trade show events.

  • The position demands a self-starter capable of managing diverse tasks, from visual asset creation to price list updates and event logistics.

  • Success in this role hinges on meticulous attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: While the job title includes "Graphic Designer" and "Marketing Coordinator," the core responsibilities and required skills suggest a role that bridges creative design with operational GTM support. The emphasis on trade show coordination, price list updates, and maintaining brand consistency points to a need for someone who can execute operational tasks alongside creative ones, crucial for a well-rounded GTM function. The "must enjoy eating seafood" is a unique, non-standard requirement.

πŸ“ˆ Primary Responsibilities

  • Design, create, and update various marketing collateral, including product catalogs, promotional calendars, packaging designs, and other branding materials to ensure visual consistency and brand adherence.

  • Maintain and update weekly product price lists accurately, ensuring all data is current and accessible for sales and marketing teams.

  • Provide comprehensive support for planning and coordinating seafood trade shows and events, including logistics, material preparation, and on-site assistance.

  • Execute product photography and perform photo editing to create high-quality visual assets for marketing campaigns, e-commerce platforms, and print materials.

  • Contribute to general marketing and branding projects, assisting with campaign execution, content creation, and brand initiative implementation.

  • Ensure consistent application of company branding guidelines across all product materials, marketing collateral, and digital assets.

  • Assist in managing and organizing marketing assets, ensuring efficient retrieval and utilization by relevant teams.

  • Support sales enablement efforts by providing necessary design and marketing materials for sales teams.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus: creative design execution and operational marketing support. The trade show coordination aspect is particularly relevant to GTM operations, requiring organizational skills beyond typical graphic design roles. The emphasis on price list updates and maintaining brand consistency points to a need for meticulous data management and adherence to brand guidelines, which are foundational for operational efficiency.

πŸŽ“ Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Marketing, Communications, or a related field is generally preferred for roles involving design and marketing coordination. Equivalent practical experience may also be considered.

Experience: 0-2 years of experience in graphic design, marketing coordination, or a similar role, demonstrating a foundational understanding of design principles and marketing support functions.

Required Skills:

  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, for creating and editing visual assets.

  • Demonstrated experience in product photography and photo editing, with an eye for detail and aesthetic quality.

  • Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines effectively.

  • Excellent attention to detail, ensuring accuracy in all design work, data updates, and marketing materials.

  • A genuine enjoyment and willingness to consume seafood, as this is a specific cultural and dietary requirement for the role.

  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, onsite environment.

  • Basic understanding of branding principles and maintaining brand consistency across various media. Preferred Skills:

  • Prior experience in food packaging design or the food industry.

  • Familiarity with trade show planning and event coordination processes.

  • Experience with catalog design and layout.

  • Basic knowledge of marketing campaign support and execution.

  • Understanding of content management systems or digital asset management (DAM) solutions.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The requirement to "enjoy eating seafood" is highly unusual and specific. For candidates, it's crucial to acknowledge this unique cultural aspect of the company. The experience level suggests an entry-level to junior role, where foundational skills in Adobe Creative Suite and organizational capabilities are paramount.

πŸ“Š Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • A curated portfolio showcasing a range of graphic design work, including examples of marketing materials, product catalogs, and packaging design.

  • Demonstrations of proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, with clear examples of how Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign were utilized.

  • Visual evidence of product photography and photo editing skills, highlighting before-and-after transformations or final polished product shots.

  • Case studies or examples of projects where organizational skills were critical to managing multiple tasks or meeting tight deadlines.

  • Samples that illustrate a strong understanding of brand consistency and how it was applied across different design projects. Process Documentation:

  • While formal process documentation is not explicitly required for this junior role, candidates should be prepared to discuss their personal workflow for managing design projects from brief to completion.

  • Be ready to explain how you would approach updating price lists, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.

  • Articulate your process for coordinating tasks related to trade show planning, from initial research to material preparation.

  • Demonstrate an understanding of how to maintain brand consistency across different deliverables.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: For a junior role, the portfolio is critical for demonstrating raw talent and foundational skills. The emphasis is less on formal process documentation and more on showcasing practical application of design software and organizational capabilities. The unique seafood requirement might also be something to subtly address if a relevant personal anecdote can be shared, demonstrating cultural fit without overdoing it.

πŸ’΅ Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: USD 55,000 - USD 65,000 per year.

Benefits:

  • Medical insurance coverage.

  • Dental insurance coverage.

  • Vision insurance coverage.

  • Paid Time Off (PTO) for rest and personal needs.

Working Hours: This is a full-time, onsite position. The standard working hours are expected to be 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time role. Flexibility may be required during peak periods or for specific trade show events, though specific overtime policies are not detailed.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is explicit. The benefits package is standard for a full-time role. The working hours are also clearly indicated as full-time and onsite, with an implied 40-hour week. The "must enjoy eating seafood" is a unique non-monetary compensation/perk that is a significant factor for this specific role.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏒 Company Culture

Industry: The company operates within the Food & Beverage industry, with a specific focus on seafood. This industry context implies a fast-paced environment, potential for seasonal variations, and a strong emphasis on product quality and supply chain management that impacts marketing and design needs.

Company Size: The description doesn't specify company size, but the nature of an onsite role with a dedicated Graphic Designer & Marketing Coordinator suggests a small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) where individuals often wear multiple hats and have direct impact.

Founded: Founding date is not provided. However, the need for a dedicated marketing coordinator and designer implies an established business with ongoing marketing and GTM efforts.

Team Structure:

  • The role likely reports to a Marketing Manager or a GTM Lead, overseeing broader marketing strategy.

  • Collaboration will be essential with sales teams, product development, and potentially operations or logistics personnel.

  • As a Junior role, there will likely be direct mentorship and guidance from more senior team members.

  • The emphasis on trade shows suggests a coordinated GTM effort where this role plays a key supporting function. Methodology:

  • Marketing efforts likely revolve around product promotion, brand building within the seafood niche, and trade show participation.

  • Design work will be driven by product launches, seasonal promotions, and ongoing brand maintenance.

  • Data-driven decisions may be less pronounced at this junior level, with more focus on creative execution and logistical support.

  • Operational efficiency will be key in managing price lists and marketing collateral updates promptly.

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

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The company's specialization in seafood is a critical cultural and operational factor. The "must enjoy eating seafood" requirement underscores this, suggesting a company culture that is deeply integrated with its product. This likely translates to team lunches, industry events, and internal discussions that revolve around seafood.

πŸ“ˆ Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Junior-level position (0-2 years experience), designed for individuals starting their careers in marketing operations, GTM support, or design. It offers foundational experience in graphic design, marketing coordination, and event logistics within a specific industry.

Reporting Structure: The Junior Graphic Designer & Marketing Coordinator will likely report to a Marketing Manager or a Director of Go-To-Market Strategy. This structure provides a clear line of supervision and mentorship for skill development.

Operations Impact: This role directly impacts the visual presentation and logistical execution of marketing initiatives. By creating compelling marketing materials, ensuring brand consistency, and supporting trade show success, the role contributes to brand awareness, lead generation, and ultimately, revenue growth. Accurate price list management also prevents sales friction.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in graphic design software, product photography, and marketing collateral creation.

  • GTM Exposure: Gain hands-on experience in trade show planning and event coordination, understanding the operational aspects of GTM execution.

  • Industry Knowledge: Develop specialized knowledge within the seafood industry, understanding its unique marketing challenges and opportunities.

  • Potential Advancement: With demonstrated success and skill development, progression could lead to roles such as Graphic Designer, Marketing Coordinator, or even GTM Specialist within the company or industry.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: For a junior role, growth is typically focused on skill acquisition and gaining practical experience. The unique industry and the combination of design and coordination responsibilities offer a distinct learning path. Candidates should look for opportunities to expand their responsibilities within trade shows and marketing campaign support.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an onsite position, requiring the employee to work from the company's office in Vernon, CA.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is 205 West Randolph Street, Vernon, CA. This location is within Los Angeles County, offering access to a large metropolitan area.

Workspace Context:

  • The workspace is expected to be collaborative, with opportunities to interact with marketing, sales, and potentially other operational teams.

  • Access to necessary design tools and software (Adobe Creative Suite) will be provided.

  • The fast-paced environment suggests a dynamic office setting where multitasking is common.

  • The "must enjoy eating seafood" requirement implies that the office environment might be quite integrated with the company's product, potentially including tastings or discussions centered around seafood.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, typically 40 hours per week. While specific flexibility details are not provided, the nature of event coordination might occasionally require adjustments to the standard schedule, especially leading up to and during trade shows.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The onsite requirement is firm. The Vernon, CA location places the role within a significant industrial and commercial hub, offering potential for local networking and access to resources. The emphasis on seafood suggests a unique workplace culture that may extend to communal meals or product sampling.

πŸ“„ Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and alignment with the role's requirements.

  • First Interview: Likely a conversation with a hiring manager or HR representative to discuss your background, skills, and understanding of graphic design and marketing coordination. Expect questions about your experience with Adobe Creative Suite and your organizational approach.

  • Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio. Be prepared to walk through specific projects, explaining your design process, challenges faced, and solutions implemented. Highlight how you maintained brand consistency and met project deadlines.

  • Skills Assessment/Practical Exercise: You may be given a small design task or a scenario-based question related to marketing coordination or trade show planning to assess your practical abilities and problem-solving skills.

  • Cultural Fit Interview: This interview will likely focus on assessing your fit with the company culture, including your ability to work collaboratively and your enthusiasm for the seafood industry (and potentially, your willingness to eat seafood).

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Selectively: Showcase 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent the skills required for this role (graphic design, product photography, catalog layout, packaging).

  • Tell a Story: For each project, explain the brief, your design process, the tools you used (mentioning Adobe Creative Suite specifically), the challenges you overcame, and the outcome or impact.

  • Highlight Organization: Include examples where you managed multiple deliverables or tight deadlines, explaining your organizational strategy.

  • Brand Consistency: Point out how you ensured brand consistency in your work.

  • Visual Quality: Ensure your portfolio is well-designed, easy to navigate, and visually appealing.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Be ready for a potential design task that might involve creating a small marketing asset or editing a product photo.

  • Prepare to discuss how you would approach updating a price list or organizing materials for a trade show.

  • Think about how you would ensure brand consistency across different types of marketing collateral.

  • Anticipate questions about your experience in the food industry or your familiarity with seafood.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The portfolio is a critical component for this role. The interview process will likely assess both technical design skills and operational coordination abilities, with a unique emphasis on cultural fit related to the seafood industry.

πŸ›  Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for graphic design tasks.

  • Product Photography Equipment: Basic understanding of cameras and lighting for product shoots.

  • Photo Editing Software: Beyond Photoshop, familiarity with other photo editing tools may be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • While not a primary focus for this junior role, any experience with basic analytics platforms (e.g., for website traffic or social media engagement) could be a plus.

  • Familiarity with spreadsheet software (like Excel or Google Sheets) is crucial for updating price lists and managing data. CRM & Automation:

  • Basic understanding of CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) might be helpful for understanding how marketing materials are utilized by sales, but not a core requirement.

  • Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello) could aid in managing multiple tasks and deadlines.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite. Experience with photography equipment and editing software is also key. Spreadsheet proficiency is essential for the administrative/coordination aspects of the role.

πŸ‘₯ Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Creativity & Innovation: A drive to produce visually appealing and effective marketing materials.

  • Precision & Accuracy: A commitment to detail in design execution and data management (e.g., price lists).

  • Collaboration: Willingness to work closely with marketing, sales, and other teams to achieve GTM objectives.

  • Adaptability: Ability to manage a diverse range of tasks and thrive in a fast-paced environment.

  • Industry Passion: A genuine interest in and enjoyment of the seafood industry, potentially extending to product appreciation.

Collaboration Style:

  • The role requires close collaboration with marketing leadership for design briefs and approvals, and with sales teams for material needs.

  • Open communication and a proactive approach to seeking information and feedback are important for success.

  • Team members are expected to support each other, especially during busy periods like trade show preparations.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be heavily influenced by its industry. The unique requirement to enjoy seafood suggests a tight-knit team that shares common interests and potentially cultural norms related to their product. This is a significant aspect to consider for cultural fit.

⚑ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing Creative and Administrative Tasks: Juggling design projects with the logistical demands of marketing coordination and trade show planning.

  • Fast-Paced Environment: Adapting to tight deadlines and a dynamic work setting common in the food and beverage industry.

  • Industry-Specific Requirements: Understanding and catering to the unique needs and audience of the seafood market.

  • Onsite Requirement: Committing to a fully onsite role in Vernon, CA.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to hone skills in specialized areas of graphic design, photography, and packaging.

  • GTM Operations Exposure: Learning the intricacies of trade show logistics, event planning, and supporting sales enablement.

  • Industry Expertise: Deepening knowledge of the seafood market, its consumers, and competitive landscape.

  • Mentorship: Receiving guidance from experienced marketing and GTM professionals within the company.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a junior role that combines creative and administrative duties. The growth opportunities are focused on building a strong foundation in both design and operational GTM support, with a unique industry specialization.

πŸ’‘ Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • Design Process: "Walk me through your process for creating a new product catalog from initial concept to final delivery." (Focus on organization, tool usage, and brand consistency).

  • Marketing Coordination: "Describe a time you had to manage multiple, competing marketing tasks. How did you prioritize and ensure everything was completed on time?" (Highlight organizational skills and time management).

  • Problem-Solving: "Imagine a key marketing asset is needed urgently for a trade show. What steps would you take to deliver it efficiently while maintaining quality?" (Demonstrate proactivity and problem-solving).

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What interests you about the seafood industry and Parallel Partners specifically?" (Show genuine interest and research).

  • "How do you approach maintaining brand consistency across different marketing materials?" (Assess attention to detail and brand understanding).

  • "This role requires you to be onsite in Vernon, CA. How do you feel about that?" (Confirm commitment to the location).

  • Crucially: Be prepared to address the "must enjoy eating seafood" requirement. You can do this by expressing enthusiasm for the company's product, mentioning any positive experiences with seafood, or simply stating you are open to and enjoy trying new foods. Avoid making light of it.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure: Begin with a brief overview of your portfolio and its purpose.

  • Project Selection: Choose 3-4 projects that best align with the job description (catalog, packaging, photography, trade show collateral).

  • Narrative: For each project, explain the objective, your role, the tools used (Adobe Suite), your design choices, challenges, and the outcome.

  • Quantify (if possible): If you have any metrics or feedback on how your work impacted sales or brand perception, present them.

  • Conciseness: Keep your explanations clear and to the point, respecting the interviewer's time.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Prepare specific examples that showcase your design skills, organizational capabilities, and ability to adapt to industry-specific needs. The unique cultural requirement is a significant factor and should be addressed thoughtfully.

πŸ“Œ Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

  • Submit your application through the provided application link on SmartRecruiters.

  • Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight graphic design skills (Adobe Creative Suite), product photography, marketing coordination experience, and any trade show support. Emphasize your organizational abilities and attention to detail.

  • Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly lists your proficiency with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Quantify achievements where possible, such as "Designed X product catalogs" or "Assisted in coordinating Y trade shows."

  • Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process and how you manage multiple projects. Prepare to discuss your experience with visual asset creation and your understanding of brand consistency.

  • Company Research: Thoroughly research Parallel Partners and the seafood industry. Understand their product offerings and their market position. Be ready to discuss why you are interested in this specific industry and company.

⚠️ 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.

Application Requirements

Candidates must be proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and have experience in product photography and food packaging. A strong attention to detail and a fondness for seafood are required.