Junior Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Junior Graphic Designer

Company: Grimco

Location: Sunset Hills, Missouri, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: May 13, 2026

Experience Level: 1-3 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is a crucial entry point for a graphic design professional within Grimco's creative team, focusing on brand consistency and visual communication across multiple channels.

• The Junior Graphic Designer will be instrumental in scaling and rebranding print materials, ensuring a cohesive brand identity for all Grimco brands.

• A significant portion of the role involves concept development and execution for digital assets, including social media, email campaigns, and website content, requiring a keen understanding of digital marketing trends.

• The position also encompasses video production and editing, contributing to Grimco's YouTube channel and web presence, demanding proficiency in video editing software.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Junior Graphic Designer," the responsibilities suggest a role that goes beyond basic design tasks, involving concept-to-implementation ownership and cross-platform execution, typical for a developing professional in a dynamic marketing environment. The emphasis on video production indicates a need for multimedia design skills.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Execute the scaling and rebranding of various print collateral, including but not limited to spec sheets, direct mailers, and flyers, ensuring adherence to brand guidelines.

• Develop and deliver compelling design concepts for a wide range of digital assets, encompassing display ads, social media graphics, email marketing visuals, and website campaign elements for all Grimco brands.

• Record, edit, and produce video content for Grimco's YouTube channel, social media platforms, and product pages on the webstore.

• Manage design projects from initial brief through to final implementation across diverse platforms, demonstrating end-to-end project ownership.

• Collaborate closely with the marketing team to accurately interpret stakeholder needs and effectively communicate key messages through design.

• Maintain and enforce brand guidelines across all created assets to ensure consistency and brand integrity.

• Stay current with emerging marketing trends, design best practices, and evolving methodologies to inform creative strategies.

• Undertake any additional design and creative tasks as dictated by evolving business demands and project pipelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for strong project management and execution skills, moving from concept to completion. The inclusion of video editing and a broad range of digital assets indicates a versatile designer role. The emphasis on collaboration with the marketing team suggests a need for strong communication and understanding of marketing objectives.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A completed Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a specific emphasis in Graphic Design. Experience:

• 1-3 years of professional experience in graphic design, preferably within an agency setting or an in-house creative department. Required Skills:

• High proficiency in industry-leading design software, specifically Adobe Creative Cloud suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Premiere Pro.

• Proven experience in graphic design, supported by a strong and diverse professional portfolio showcasing relevant work.

• Ability to effectively understand and incorporate creative direction and constructive feedback into design iterations.

• Strong presentation skills, with the ability to communicate and articulate design decisions clearly to peers and stakeholders.

• Demonstrated comfort and capability in proactively addressing design challenges and adapting to shifting project priorities.

• Excellent time management and organizational skills, with meticulous attention to detail in all design outputs.

• Proven ability to collaborate effectively within a team environment, contributing to shared project goals. Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with video editing workflows and best practices for social media and web content.

• Experience in designing for the sign, graphics, or apparel decoration industries.

• Understanding of UX/UI principles for web design elements.

• Knowledge of current digital marketing trends and their application in visual design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of technical design skills, creative execution, and soft skills like communication and adaptability. The portfolio requirement is critical, serving as the primary evidence of a candidate's capabilities. The preference for industry experience suggests that candidates with a background in manufacturing, distribution, or related B2B sectors may have an advantage.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a range of projects demonstrating versatility across print and digital mediums, including examples of rebrands or scaled collateral.

• Feature case studies that highlight the design process from brief to final implementation, detailing problem-solving approaches and creative solutions.

• Include examples of digital graphics for marketing campaigns (social, email, web), demonstrating an understanding of platform-specific requirements.

• Present any video editing work, illustrating capabilities in recording, editing, and producing content for online platforms.

• Demonstrate adherence to brand guidelines and the ability to maintain design consistency. Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how design briefs were translated into final creative assets, illustrating workflow and execution.

• Showcase personal workflow for managing multiple design tasks and projects concurrently, highlighting organizational strategies.

• Include examples where constructive feedback was incorporated, demonstrating adaptability and a collaborative approach to design development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio should not only display aesthetic capabilities but also showcase the candidate's understanding of the design process, their ability to solve problems creatively, and their capacity to execute designs that meet specific marketing objectives within established brand parameters. For this role, demonstrating experience with video editing is a significant plus.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for Junior Graphic Designers with 1-3 years of experience in the St. Louis, MO metropolitan area, a competitive salary range is estimated between $45,000 - $60,000 annually. This estimate considers the cost of living in Sunset Hills, MO, and typical compensation for creative roles in the manufacturing and distribution sectors. Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans with a notable history of stable premiums for 18 years.

• Paid maternity and paternity leave to support new parents.

• Paid holidays for time off throughout the year.

• Accrual of Paid Time Off (PTO), with payout options available.

• 401K retirement savings plan with a generous profit-sharing component, matching up to 6% of employee compensation earnings.

• Eligibility for Employee Recognition Prizes to acknowledge outstanding performance.

• Employee Referral Benefits for successfully referring new hires.

• Paid Volunteer Time Off to support community engagement. Working Hours:

• This is a full-time position, typically requiring 40 hours per week. While focused on on-site work, the company's collaborative office environment may offer some flexibility in daily scheduling, though specific arrangements should be clarified during the interview process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general market data for junior graphic designer roles in the specified region and experience level. Grimco's benefits package is robust, particularly highlighting the long-term stability of medical premium costs and the generous 401K profit-sharing, which are strong indicators of a stable and employee-focused company.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry:

• Grimco operates within the wholesale sign supply manufacturing and distribution industry. This sector is foundational to retail, advertising, and infrastructure, providing essential materials and equipment for visual communication and identification. The company's focus on delivering value to the sign, graphics, and apparel decoration industries positions it as a key partner for businesses in these sectors. Company Size:

• Grimco is a large organization with over 65 locations across North America, indicating a substantial employee base and a significant operational footprint. This size suggests a structured environment with established processes, opportunities for advancement, and a broad reach within its market. For a Junior Graphic Designer, this scale implies exposure to diverse projects and a large customer base. Founded:

• Established over 150 years ago, Grimco boasts a long history of stability and industry presence. This longevity speaks to the company's resilience, adaptability, and deep understanding of its market, providing a secure and established environment for employees. Team Structure:

• The marketing team, including graphic designers, is described as highly collaborative. This implies a structure where designers work closely with marketing coordinators, digital specialists, and leadership.

• Roles within Grimco are viewed as opportunities for growth, with a stated commitment to promoting from within, suggesting a supportive hierarchy and clear paths for career progression.

• The corporate headquarters in St. Louis is designed to foster cross-departmental collaboration, meaning designers will likely interact with various teams beyond marketing, offering broader business exposure. Methodology:

• Grimco's core philosophy centers on delivering real value to its customers, implying a results-oriented approach to all business functions, including marketing and design.

• The "people-first mentality" suggests a culture that values employee well-being, development, and long-term commitment.

• Collaboration is a key operational theme, evident in the office design and team interactions, indicating a shared approach to problem-solving and project execution. Company Website:

• grimco.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Grimco's long history, significant size, and stated "people-first" mentality suggest a stable, established company with a culture that emphasizes collaboration and internal growth. The focus on delivering value to customers implies that design work is expected to be impactful and contribute directly to business objectives.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level:

• This Junior Graphic Designer role represents an early-stage career opportunity within a creative function. It is designed for individuals with foundational graphic design education and some practical experience, aiming to develop core competencies in visual communication, brand management, and multi-platform design execution. The role is positioned to build a solid understanding of Grimco's brand identity and marketing strategies. Reporting Structure:

• The Junior Graphic Designer will report to a Marketing Manager or Design Lead within the marketing department. This structure facilitates direct mentorship, guidance on projects, and regular feedback to support skill development and adherence to company standards. Collaboration is expected with other marketing team members, including digital specialists and coordinators. Operations Impact:

• While not a direct "revenue operations" role, the Junior Graphic Designer's work significantly impacts revenue by enhancing brand perception, supporting marketing campaigns, and driving engagement across digital and print channels. Visually compelling materials and consistent branding contribute to customer acquisition, retention, and overall market presence, indirectly influencing sales performance. Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in Adobe Creative Cloud, particularly in areas like motion graphics, advanced video editing, or specialized print techniques.

• Industry Specialization: Potential to become an expert in design for the sign, graphics, or apparel decoration industries, understanding the unique requirements and trends within Grimco's core markets.

• Leadership Potential: With demonstrated performance and growth, there are opportunities to advance to roles such as Graphic Designer, Senior Graphic Designer, or potentially specialize in areas like Brand Management or Digital Marketing Design, aligning with Grimco's "promote from within" philosophy.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a clear stepping stone for a career in graphic design within a large, stable organization. The "promote from within" culture is a significant advantage for ambitious individuals looking for long-term career development and advancement opportunities within the company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type:

• The position is based at Grimco's corporate headquarters in St. Louis, MO. The office is specifically designed to foster collaboration among all departments, suggesting an open and interactive workspace. Office Location(s):

• Corporate Headquarters, Sunset Hills, Missouri. Specific details regarding public transport access or parking availability would need to be confirmed directly. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office design emphasizes interaction, providing opportunities for designers to engage with colleagues from various departments, fostering cross-functional understanding and idea exchange.

• Tools and Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Cloud) is a given. The collaborative nature of the office may also mean access to shared resources or technology that supports team projects.

• Team Interaction: The marketing team operates with a high degree of collaboration, ensuring designers are integrated into daily workflows and strategic discussions.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is likely Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time role. While the environment is collaborative, specific flexibility regarding daily start/end times should be clarified with the hiring manager. The fast-paced nature of marketing necessitates meeting deadlines, which may occasionally require extended hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a collaborative office environment and the company's long history suggest a stable, professional, yet dynamic workspace. For a junior role, being on-site allows for maximum learning and integration with the team and company culture.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of applications and portfolios to identify candidates who meet the basic qualifications and demonstrate strong design potential.

• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discussing their design process, creative decisions, and how they approach challenges. This is a critical stage to assess communication skills and design thinking.

• Skills Assessment/Design Challenge: A practical design exercise may be given to evaluate proficiency in specific software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite) and the ability to execute tasks according to a brief under timed conditions.

• Behavioral and Team Fit Interviews: Interviews with the hiring manager and potentially team members to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, problem-solving abilities, and alignment with Grimco's values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase your strongest, most relevant work. For this role, include examples of print collateral (rebranding, flyers if applicable), digital marketing graphics (social media, web banners), and any video editing projects.

• Tell a Story: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your creative process, the challenges you faced, your solutions, and the outcome. Quantify results if possible (e.g., "increased engagement by X%").

• Demonstrate Versatility: Highlight your ability to work across different mediums and styles, while also showing consistency in maintaining brand guidelines.

• Technical Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates expertise in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Premiere Pro.

• Organization: Present your portfolio in a clear, easy-to-navigate format (e.g., PDF, personal website).

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Carefully read and analyze any design challenge provided. Ask clarifying questions if needed.

• Time Management: Allocate your time effectively across concept development, execution, and final presentation.

• Brand Alignment: Ensure your solution aligns with Grimco's brand identity and the specific goals of the project.

• Presentation: Be prepared to articulate your design choices, justify your decisions, and explain how your solution meets the brief's requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily rely on the candidate's portfolio and their ability to articulate their design process and rationale. A practical design challenge is highly probable, so preparing for that is essential. Understanding Grimco's business (wholesale sign supply) and its customer base will be beneficial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Essential suite including Photoshop (raster graphics editing, photo manipulation), Illustrator (vector graphics, logos, illustrations), InDesign (page layout, print collateral design), and Premiere Pro (video editing, post-production).

• Video Recording Equipment: Access to cameras, microphones, and lighting for YouTube and social media content creation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly responsible for analytics, the designer should understand how their work contributes to campaign performance. Familiarity with social media analytics platforms and website traffic data (e.g., Google Analytics) to understand the impact of digital graphics is beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Likely no direct CRM or automation tool usage for the designer, but an understanding of how marketing automation platforms (e.g., email marketing software) use design assets is helpful.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, particularly Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Premiere Pro, is non-negotiable for this role. Familiarity with video production equipment and basic understanding of how design impacts digital marketing performance analytics are key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity and Innovation: A core value, as stated, encouraging imaginative skills and shaping innovative designs.

• Customer Value: Grimco's philosophy is rooted in delivering real value to customers, implying that design work should be purposeful and contribute to customer success.

• Collaboration: Emphasized through office design and team interactions, suggesting a culture of teamwork and shared effort.

• People-First Mentality: Indicates a focus on employee well-being, development, and fostering lasting relationships.

• Efficiency and Process: For a junior role, demonstrating an ability to work efficiently, meet deadlines, and follow established processes (like brand guidelines) is crucial.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to work closely with marketing coordinators and digital specialists, integrating design into broader campaign strategies.

• Feedback Exchange: The role requires incorporating constructive feedback, implying an open and iterative design process where feedback is regularly given and received.

• Knowledge Sharing: The collaborative environment encourages sharing of ideas and best practices, contributing to collective learning and improvement within the marketing team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be a blend of creative energy, customer focus, and strong teamwork. For a Junior Graphic Designer, demonstrating a willingness to learn, collaborate, and contribute to a positive team dynamic will be as important as technical skills.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Multiple Brands/Platforms: Managing design needs for various Grimco brands and executing across diverse platforms (print, digital, video) requires strong organizational skills and adaptability.

• Incorporating Feedback: Successfully translating constructive criticism into design improvements while maintaining creative integrity.

• Pace of Marketing: Working in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities and tight deadlines necessitates efficient workflow and effective time management.

• Staying Current: Keeping up with evolving design trends, software updates, and marketing best practices in a dynamic industry.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to master advanced features within Adobe Creative Cloud and explore new design techniques.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining deep knowledge of the sign, graphics, and apparel decoration industries, understanding client needs and market trends.

• Mentorship: Learning from experienced marketing professionals and senior designers within the company, fostering career growth.

• Internal Advancement: Grimco's commitment to promoting from within offers a clear path for career progression beyond the junior level.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a junior role in a dynamic marketing department. The growth opportunities are significant, especially given Grimco's size and commitment to internal development, offering a stable career path for ambitious designers.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a project where you had to adapt your design based on constructive feedback. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Assesses adaptability, collaboration, and problem-solving.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across different design assets and platforms?" (Evaluates understanding of brand management and attention to detail.)

• "Walk us through your process for creating a digital graphic for a social media campaign, from brief to final asset." (Tests workflow, creative thinking, and understanding of digital marketing.)

• "Tell us about a time you had to manage multiple design projects with competing deadlines. How did you prioritize?" (Assesses time management and organizational skills.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Grimco, and why do you want to work for a company in the wholesale sign supply industry?" (Gauges research and genuine interest.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with team members who have different perspectives or skill sets?" (Assesses teamwork and communication.)

• "Grimco emphasizes a 'people-first' mentality. How do you see yourself contributing to this culture?" (Explores cultural fit and interpersonal skills.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select 3-5 Key Projects: Choose pieces that best demonstrate your skills relevant to the job description (print, digital, video, brand work).

• Structure: For each project, briefly outline the objective, your role, the process, the tools used, the challenges, your solution, and the results.

• Highlight Software Proficiency: Explicitly mention your use of Adobe Creative Cloud tools in your project descriptions.

• Be Ready for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, problem-solving, and how you handle feedback.

• Showcase Enthusiasm: Convey your passion for design and eagerness to learn and grow within Grimco.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to discuss their portfolio in detail, articulate their design process, and demonstrate how their skills align with Grimco's business and culture. Researching Grimco's products and market position will be beneficial for answering company-specific questions.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Junior Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on SmartRecruiters.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight experience in print and digital design, video editing, and brand guideline adherence. Showcase projects that align with Grimco's industry (signage, graphics, apparel decoration) if possible.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly lists your proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro) and your 1-3 years of relevant experience. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving skills, and how you incorporate feedback. Be ready to present your portfolio and discuss your work in detail.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Grimco's products, services, and market position. Understand their core values and culture, especially the emphasis on collaboration and customer value.

⚠️ 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.