Graphic Designer

WOW BAO is hiring a GRAPHIC DESIGNER for our team in Chicago! 

 Join the fastest growing Asian fast-casual food brand in the country! More than 20 years old, Wow Bao is a Chicago-based omni-channel brand that operates in several store fronts, as well as in over 700 virtual kitchens across the country. Our retail/CPG business is experiencing unprecedented growth with Wow Bao available in more than 6,000 grocery stores nationwide, and plans to expand into 12,000 by the end of 2024. Additionally, our portfolio includes airports, universities, hotels, hot food vending machines, and e-commerce.

 Equal Opportunity Employer

ABOUT WOW BAO:  

Wow Bao has always led the industry in innovation and while fusing delicious Asian Street Food with superior hospitality, we continue to meet our customers where they are. Our restaurant menu features rice bowls, pan-seared potstickers, dumplings, soups, and our iconic Bao – steamed hot Asian buns with a variety of savory and sweet fillings. We continue to expand our grocery line and in addition to several Bao flavors, we are introducing a variety of other products.

 Wow Bao is the only brand to be recognized three times by Fast Casual magazine as a Top 100 Movers & Shaker. Ranked no. 1 in 2019 and 2022 and no. 4 in 2023, we are the only brand to have taken home the honor more than once. At Wow Bao, we believe that every day deserves a big, bold serving of WOW. We’ve made it our mission to shake up the industry and bring a fresh and exciting spin to the fast-casual experience.

 Wow Bao is poised for continued growth within all its verticals, as well as in the corporate setting. 

 WE FOSTER A CULTURE OF CARING

Whether it’s our guests or employees, we put people first.  We strive to inspire, motivate, and  appreciate one another every day.  We live by the golden rule and treat everyone with kindness, empathy, respect, and a healthy dose of humor.  We take our work, not ourselves, seriously.

 POSITION SUMMARY

We're in search of an experienced Graphic Designer specializing in food marketing, CPG and restaurant experience a plus.  In this role, you'll play a critical role in conceptualizing, designing, and executing innovative restaurant and CPG marketing, signage, promotions, menu, digital marketing, social campaigns, and email marketing solutions that effectively convey our brand message and resonate with our target audience. Your primary responsibility will be to translate marketing objectives into visually compelling design solutions that drive brand awareness and foster consumer engagement.

 The Graphic Design Role is in our Chicago (River North) office five days a week.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:(Other duties may be assigned as needed):

• Work directly with Wow’s Bao’s key stakeholders in developing a wide range of design projects from sales presentations and newsletters to promotions, social media campaigns, CPG marketing, and restaurant marketing materials.
• Foster close collaboration with cross-functional teams including marketing, product development, and sales to deeply understand project requirements and deliver design solutions that resonate with target audiences.
• Spearhead the conceptualization, design, and execution of cutting-edge marketing materials and social campaigns.
• Ensure alignment with brand guidelines and strategic marketing objectives to maximize brand impact and consumer engagement.
• Manage external photographers/videographers to capture visual assets that can be utilized for all marketing materials.
• Development of compelling digital marketing materials, such as paid and engaging social media graphics, captivating email campaigns, and visually appealing website assets.
• Utilize data-driven insights and industry best practices to optimize design strategies and drive audience engagement and conversion.
• Stay abreast of the latest design trends, industry innovations, and competitor strategies to continuously elevate the visual identity and positioning of our brand in the market.
• Leverage insights to proactively identify opportunities for design enhancement and differentiation across various touchpoints.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, from initial concept development to final delivery, ensuring strict adherence to deadlines, budget constraints, and quality standards.
• Employ effective project management tools and methodologies to streamline workflow, optimize resource allocation, and drive project success.
• Maintain brand consistency across all packaging materials, including labels, boxes, and promotional materials, while adhering to brand guidelines and standards.
• Collaborate closely with external vendors and suppliers to ensure accurate production of marketing materials.
• Translate business goals into visually compelling promotional materials, leveraging design best practices for both organic and paid content across all social media channels.
• Produce design assets that resonate on various social platforms, optimizing engagement and brand visibility among target audiences.
• Present design concepts and rationale to senior leadership, emphasizing adherence to brand standards and the brand voice.
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of the customer journey and leverage design to positively influence customer behavior and brand perception.
• Actively seek opportunities for process improvement and innovation within the design team, driving efficiency, effectiveness, and creative excellence.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to identify emerging trends and technologies that can enhance design capabilities and elevate brand presence.
• Create necessary mock-ups and design visuals to support concept development and photo shoots, ensuring alignment with project objectives and brand aesthetics.
• Undertake additional duties as assigned, demonstrating flexibility, adaptability, and a commitment to driving overall team success.
• Be available to assist and work during Wow Bao offsite events such as Lollapalooza, National Bao Eating Contest, National Bao Day and other events as needed.
• Multitask calmly and effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Follow all rules, policies, and procedures and conditions of employment, including those outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Other duties will be assigned as needed.

Required Experience/Skills:

• 5+ year’s experience as a Graphic Designer with Restaurant or CPG food brand experience.
• Bachelor's degree in graphic design, visual communication, or a related field.
• Strong portfolio showcasing a diverse range of promotions, menu design, social media campaigns, packaging, advertising, motion graphics and digital marketing design projects.
• Proficiency in industry-standard design software, including Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign).
• Detail oriented, organized and methodical approach to retouching photos. Ability in the photo retouch of image and color correcting for digital and print content.
• Familiarity with Adobe video editing tools such as After Effects, Premiere, and Spark is desired.
• Experience using WordPress is a plus.
• Excellent understanding of typography, color theory, and layout principles, with a keen eye for detail.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, translating marketing objectives into compelling design solutions.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts and rationale to stakeholders.
• Proven track record of managing multiple projects simultaneously and delivering high-quality work on time.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

Physical Demands:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer

Benefits

• Health Insurance (medical, dental, vision)
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Voluntary Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Sick Leave
• Employee Restaurant Discounts and Employee Meals
• Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits
• Employee Discount Programs
• Training, Development and Advancement Opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program
• We foster a culture of CARE
• Growth & transfer opportunities; we love it when people grow at Wow Bao!

Benefits eligibility varies based on things like position, hours worked, and length of service, and all benefits are subject to change, some of the benefits you might expect are listed above.