The Job in a Nutshell:

The Associate Director, Brand Creative is responsible for out of the box thinking and oversight in translating design concepts and ideating concepts of design to a variety of mediums from local store marketing, print ads, digital, mobile, video, packaging, website and social media that maintain the company’s brand standards, brand voice, character, originality and quality. Manages one or more crew members.

Applications are accepted by the date below, which may be updated if the hiring timeline is extended.

11/26/2024

Main Ingredients:

1. Conceptualize and brainstorm new creative ideas for new projects as they arise
2. Collaboratively and continually maintain a Brand Book from start to finish
3. Create digital mockups themselves from start to finish
4. Present design ideas to internal team and refine designs as necessary
5. Keep track of feedback from the executive team and supervisors in order to not repeat items that were not liked or accepted
6. Rapidly ideate and create mockups of all assets from start to finish for all print and digital marketing collateral
7. Work with various timelines and multiple projects in a fast-paced environment, always delivering creative that is accurate, original and consistent
8. Manage and guide all brand creative and design layouts for optimized end-use and delivered according to specifications, production standards, color quality standards and budget.
9. Creates up to 40% - 60% of the work that comes out of the department from start to finish themselves
10. Give solid creative direction to team members that includes out of the box thinking, originality and creates the overall success of their team and the content created by their team
    1. Mentoring team and giving feedback
    2. Guiding project design based on feedback from the executive team and their supervisors
    3. Effectively sharing the feedback with the team and ensuring timely action
    4. Giving feedback to team via InMotion or other avenues to create the success of every project
    5. Setting up meetings with team members to go over new projects and make sure they are done correctly the first time around, with the utmost creativity, inspiration and never taking the easy way out
    6. Being responsible for teams’ failures, holding them accountable and working with team to immediately remedy the situation and make sure that it does not happen again
    7. Work to make sure that project due dates are hit, and status updates are communicated
    8. Coordinating scheduling and project assignments for each team member to support an efficient workflow
    9. Maintain a training program for onboarding
11. Work with other directors to help them expand their creative design ideas and bring them to fruition in an inspired way that will be sure to engage customers and crew
12. Prepare files for print/web working closely with internal and external vendors and manufacturers to ensure final product is without flaw
13. Correctly export digital assets to all needed formats
14. Maintain an up to date and organized set of files for project archive and utilize the department’s digital assets management systems and file servers
15. Present work to a range of internal audiences in a clear, professional manner. Where appropriate, include creative research that will support chosen strategies
16. Operate as a brand advocate and shepherd creative standards with all partners. (internal and external vendors) Provide creative feedback when required and communicate brand updates as needed
17. Keep up to date with design, photography and print production techniques, proposing new technologies and sharing this knowledge with the team
18. Complete retouching on files required for internal presentation and work with vendors for final post-production delivery
19. Work with our proofing and approval system in an organized manner that keeps your team organized, efficient and ready to tackle any project
20. Be able to adapt and overcome any setback with due dates and changes with good grace and positivity
21. Continue to update the creative brand look within company standards and guidelines, push the limits for every campaign or event and come to the table with new artwork instead of repeating the same style over and over again when relevant to inspire customers and crew
22. Collaborate with all departments and work with them to translate creative direction into ideas that lead to business results
23. Apply all edits given through InMotion to finished products
24. Process and check invoices for accuracy and submit them for approval
25. Manage Meal Deals and delegate to your team tasks to do regarding the creation of all collateral from start to finish
26. Work with the Associate Manager Senior Graphic Designer to Manage the design and production of the HHL

Although this is a general outline of job responsibilities all employees are expected to be “hands on” and do whatever it takes to get the job done and help the company thrive.

Recipe for Success:

1. Bachelor’s degree in graphic design or other related areas from an arts College or accredited University
2. Minimum 8 years of experience in graphic design/art direction to include retail and or retail food brand experience, ideally working within an internal consumer brand environment, or advertising agency
3. Minimum 2 years of experience in Food Retail graphic design/art direction
4. Understanding of consumer product packaging is required
5. Knowledge about natural and organic products and supplements is preferred
6. Experience presenting work in a meeting environment to peers and executives
7. Must be a creative thinker who can provide a solid portfolio of inspiring ideas and packing mockups
8. Understanding of marketing campaign development and the various mediums to execute an integrated campaign (e.g. print; video, digital; photography; variety of media outlets)
9. Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud environment applications (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat)
10. Print, digital, video, social, outdoor, corporate publications design, prototyping, and production, including detailed management of high volume of design files, and vendors, to see print creative lifecycle through to completion
11. Typography knowledge
12. Use visual and creative sensibilities to translate creative concepts into materials for the internal and external consumer
13. Basic retouching skills
14. Flexible and quick to respond to changes in business priorities
15. Ability to work under creative direction and respond well to feedback and critique from coworkers, executives, and manufacturers
16. Proven ability to work effectively and efficiently under multiple, occasionally competing deadlines
17. Proactive and solutions oriented with a positive attitude to challenges

This job description is not an employment contract.  It does not guarantee a job or that the above listed duties are the limit of responsibilities.  The job and job description are subject to change with and without notice.  Employees are required to accomplish any and all tasks assigned to them by their manager and/or other Store Support Center manager that might not be listed in this job description.

Here’s an overview of the benefits we offer our good4u Crew to help ensure the health and wellbeing of you and your family, now and well into the future:

All Crew Members

• Birthday Bonus Pay 
• Vitamin Bucks (up to $2,080 earned as store credit annually) 
• Holiday Pay for 5 Holidays – Stores Closed
• Paid Time Off (sick days and vacation) that Increases with Tenure 
• Paid Nutrition Education 
• good4u Crew Member Discount  
• {N}power Program (customer appreciation and rewards program) 
• Regular, Scheduled Pay Increases  
• Advancement Opportunities and Career Development 
• Health and Wellness Program  
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)   
• Employee Referral Program

Full-Time Crew Members (30+ hours/week)

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance 
• Paid Parental Leave  
• Paid Medical Leave (through company paid short-term disability insurance) 
• Company Paid Short-Term Disability Insurance  
• Company Paid Life Insurance 
• Voluntary Benefits Including Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance, Term Life Insurance   
• Retirement Savings Plan (401k) with discretionary Company Match  
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)  
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with Company Match 

Diversity Statement

At the heart of Natural Grocers' commitment to our community and crew is this belief: All people should be empowered to experience health and wellbeing! We cannot be true to this conviction without honoring diversity and cultivating inclusion throughout every aspect of our organization.

At Natural Grocers, we honor our differences, embrace diversity, and cultivate inclusion because both individual and societal health are rooted in these principles. Our Crew is diverse not only in gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, abilities, and age but also in cultural backgrounds, thoughts, and ideas. Celebrating our diversity refreshes, expands, and shapes our perspective, energizing our mission of equitable access to health and wellness for all. We welcome everyone who would like to join us in this mission, with gratitude for the unique life experience each person brings to the table. We’re committed to nurturing an ecosystem of diversity and inclusion in which our Crew can continue to thrive.

Physical Capabilities and Environmental Demands:

N = Never

O = Occasional; 1-33% of time

F = Frequent; 34-66% of time

C = Constant; 67-100% of time

Physical Requirements:

• Must have the ability to constantly lift or carry up to 10 lbs., frequently lift or carry 11-20 lbs., and occasionally lift or carry 21-50 lbs. Must also have the ability to occasionally lift or carry 51-100 lbs. with a team lift.
• Must have the ability to frequently push or pull up to 15 lbs. and occasionally push or pull 16-100 lbs.
• Must be able to occasionally use the computer for data entry and use of mouse.
• Must be able to constantly walk, stand, use fine motor manipulations, grip, bend, twist, turn, and reach outward for the duration of the work shift.
• Must be able to frequently to reach above chest.
• Must be able to occasionally sit, squat, kneel, and climb as needed.

Environmental Requirements:

• Must be able to frequently work with sharp tools and equipment, dust, fumes, and congested worksite.
• Must be able to occasionally work with noise, cold, heat, wet, humid, outside, heights, and contact stress.