Job Overview
At Nelson Wood Shims, a 100% employee-owned company, every employee contributes to our success through hard work, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
The Marketing Specialist is responsible for leading the graphic design and visual presentation of Nelson Wood Shims products and strengthening our brand in the marketplace. This role focuses on creating and managing product packaging, labels, sales materials, advertisements, and digital content while supporting product marketing, website management, social media, and other customer-facing marketing initiatives.
The ideal candidate is creative, organized, and self-motivated, with the ability to manage projects from concept through completion while collaborating across departments to develop effective marketing materials.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Product and Packaging
- Lead the development, design, and ongoing management of product packaging, labels, inserts, and related packaging materials to ensure a professional, consistent, and customer-focused presentation of Nelson Wood Shims products.
- Support the launch, promotion, and ongoing marketing of new and existing products, including packaging updates, product line enhancements, and new product introductions.
- Write and maintain product descriptions, packaging copy, labeling content, and sales support materials.
- Collaborate with internal departments to gather product information, technical specifications, and customer insights for packaging and marketing materials.
- Ensure packaging and marketing materials accurately communicate product features, benefits, applications, and brand standards.
- Assist in developing marketing campaigns that support product awareness, brand recognition, and business growth.
Content Creation & Graphic Design
- Serve as the primary internal resource for graphic design, product packaging design, and the visual presentation of Nelson Wood Shims products.
- Design presentations, trade show displays, advertisements, and other product marketing and promotional materials.
- Create visual content using Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or similar design software.
- Prepare graphic design files for print and production, ensuring proper dimensions, formatting, image quality, colors, and other technical specifications.
- Capture and edit photography and video content highlighting products, packaging, applications, and manufacturing processes.
- Coordinate with printers, packaging suppliers, and other vendors regarding design files, proofs, revisions, and final production.
Social Media & Website Management
- Create, schedule, and manage engaging content across company social media platforms.
- Develop creative ways to highlight products, product applications, and the Nelson Wood Shims brand.
- Monitor website social media performance, audience engagement, and industry trends to identify opportunities for increased visibility and growth. Includes SEO optimization.
Marketing Project Management
- Coordinate multiple marketing projects, priorities, and deadlines.
- Organize and maintain marketing assets, including photographs, videos, logos, templates, and promotional materials.
- Track marketing activities and recommend improvements.
- Take ownership of assigned marketing projects from concept through completion while meeting established deadlines and quality expectations.
Branding Initiatives
- Support branding initiatives for existing and new product lines, as well as companywide.
- Ensure consistent company, departmental, and product-line messaging across all marketing and customer-facing communications.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education & Experience
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, Graphic Design, Public Relations, or a related field.
- Professional experience in graphic design, product marketing, packaging design, digital marketing, or related responsibilities is preferred.
- Equivalent combinations of education, training, certifications, and relevant experience will be considered.
- A portfolio showcasing graphic design, packaging design, marketing materials, website content, social media content, photography, video, or other creative work is strongly preferred.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Strong graphic design skills, including an understanding of layout, typography, color, branding, and visual communication.
- Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or comparable graphic design software.
- Ability to translate product information and marketing objectives into clear, accurate, and visually appealing materials.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
- Familiarity with social media platforms and digital content creation.
Character Traits
- Hard Working & Ownership Mindset: Takes pride in their work, puts forth consistent effort, accepts responsibility for results, and takes ownership of Projects
- Dependable & Accountable: Shows up ready to work, follows through on commitments, maintains reliable attendance, and can be counted on by teammates and supervisors.
- Team Player with a Servant’s Heart: Willingly supports coworkers, contributes to the success of the team, and looks for ways to help wherever needed while fostering a culture where people care about one another.
- Positive & Respectful: Brings enthusiasm, professionalism, kindness, compassion, and respect to daily interactions with coworkers, supervisors, customers, and company resources.
- Adaptable & Eager to Learn: Embraces new challenges, willingly learns new skills, works across departments, and remains open to growth and development opportunities.
- Continuous Improvement Mindset: Looks for ways to improve processes, eliminate waste, increase efficiency, improve quality, and contribute ideas that make the workplace better.
- Safety Minded: Makes safety a priority in every task and encourages safe behaviors that protect themselves and those around them.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Nelson Wood Shims is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, Minnesota, or local law.
