Creative Manager - Centralized

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Creative Manager - Centralized

🔹 Company: City Market, Onion River Co-op

🔹 Location: Burlington, VT

🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Exempt

🔹 Category: Marketing & Creative

🔹 Date Posted: May 28, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Overseeing storewide signage needs for consistency and clarity
• Collaborating with departments to plan and execute promotions and cross-merchandising strategies
• Supporting digital and print marketing content creation
• Managing signage supplies and branded inventory
• Partnering with internal teams to ensure alignment with Co-op values and customer experience goals
• Staying informed on industry trends to keep the store experience fresh and relevant
• Directing and overseeing the work of others as a member of the All Leadership Team

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of creative and management skills, with a strong focus on customer experience and brand consistency.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Oversee storewide signage needs, ensuring clarity, consistency, and timely updates

✅ Collaborate with Department Managers and the Purchasing team to plan and execute seasonal promotions, endcaps, and cross-merchandising strategies

✅ Support the creation of digital and print marketing content, including newsletters, social media, and in-store materials

✅ Maintain signage supplies and branded inventory (e.g., labels, apparel, promotional merchandise)

✅ Partner with internal teams on storewide promotional planning and ensure alignment with Co-op values and customer experience goals

✅ Coordinate with Media and Communications Manager to manage advertising campaigns and maximize outreach impact

✅ Stay informed on industry trends in visual merchandising, customer communication, and marketing to keep our store experience fresh and relevant

✅ As a member of the All Leadership Team, direct and oversee the work of others by making decisions that affect workflow and procedures within their department, being involved in group decision making for organizational planning, and implementing immediate and long-range planning as well as tactical and strategic thinking for departmental business needs and personnel development

✅ Be a team player, working in a positive, cooperative, and friendly manner with co-workers

ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills to effectively manage projects and collaborate with various departments.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with a concentration in Graphic Design, Media, Marketing, or a related degree. In lieu of a degree specifically related to this position (but not in lieu of the degree itself), prior related job experience will be considered.

Experience: 2-5 years of relevant experience in a creative or marketing role

Required Skills:

• Knowledge of and interest in Vermont’s food systems
• Public speaking experience and excellent writing and editing skills
• Experience with media purchasing in various mediums – radio, online, print, etc.
• Supervisory experience preferred
• Knowledge of natural and conventional foods and the food industry preferred

Technical Skills:

• Computer proficiency and detailed working knowledge of the following computer programs: Outlook, Word, Excel, Drupal, Adobe Creative Suite
• In-depth knowledge of HTML code and website design
• Proficiency with email marketing programs
• Proficiency with current use of social media, blogs, and related programs and applications, e.g., Facebook, Hootsuite, Pinterest, WordPress, Instagram, etc.
• Proficiency with web site content management systems, web design, and associated analytics
• Proficiency with digital photography

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with project management tools
• Fluency in additional languages

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong foundation in graphic design, marketing, and project management, with a demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $55,000 - $65,000 per year (based on experience level and industry standards for a Marketing Manager in Vermont)

Benefits:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• 401k with 6% match
• Store Discounts
• Free Fitness Classes
• Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Paid Volunteer Time

Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with some flexibility for meetings and events

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Marketing Manager in Vermont, with consideration for the company size and experience level required.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Retail, specifically community-owned grocery stores

Company Size: Medium (201-500 employees), which offers a balance between a close-knit community and opportunities for growth

Founded: 1973, with a rich history of supporting local agriculture and the community

Company Description:

• City Market, Onion River Co-op, is a community-owned food cooperative with two locations in beautiful Burlington, Vermont
• Offers a large selection of local, organic, and conventional foods, and thousands of Vermont-made products
• Provides a critical service to the residents of Burlington and the larger community by offering local, organic, and conventional foods at a fair price to all
• Dedicated to supporting the local economy and enhancing the sustainability of agriculture

Company Specialties:

• Local products
• Organic Produce
• Hot and Cold Bar
• Sandwiches
• Beer & Wine
• Meat & Seafood
• Sushi
• Cheese
• Grocery
• and Bulk

Company Website: www.citymarket.coop

ASSUMPTION: City Market is deeply committed to its community and local economy, offering a unique work environment that values sustainability and community engagement.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level, with opportunities for growth within the Marketing & Creative department and the broader organization

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Director of Community & Marketing, with oversight of creative projects and collaboration with various departments

Work Arrangement: On-site, with the possibility of occasional remote work for meetings or events

Growth Opportunities:

• Advancement within the Marketing & Creative department, such as a Senior Creative Manager or Marketing Director role
• Expansion into other areas of the business, such as Operations or Community Engagement
• Professional development opportunities, such as workshops, conferences, or online courses

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of creative and management responsibilities, with ample opportunities for professional growth and development.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Community-owned grocery store, with a focus on sustainability and local engagement

Office Location(s): 82 South Winooski Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401, US and 207 Flynn Ave, Burlington, VT 05401, US

Geographic Context:

• Burlington is a vibrant city in Vermont, known for its strong sense of community and commitment to sustainability
• The city offers a high quality of life, with access to outdoor recreation, cultural attractions, and a thriving local food scene
• City Market is centrally located, with easy access to public transportation and nearby amenities

Work Schedule: Full-time, with some flexibility for meetings and events, and occasional weekend or evening work as needed

ASSUMPTION: The work environment at City Market is collaborative, community-focused, and committed to sustainability, offering a unique and rewarding experience for employees.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screening with the Director of Community & Marketing
• In-person interview with the Director of Community & Marketing and other department heads
• Final interview with the CEO or another senior leader

Key Assessment Areas:

• Creativity and design skills
• Marketing and communication expertise
• Leadership and management abilities
• Alignment with City Market's values and mission

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Showcase your portfolio or samples of your work, demonstrating your creativity and design skills
• Prepare thoughtful questions about the role, the department, or the company to ask during the interview

ATS Keywords: Graphic Design, Media, Marketing, Public Speaking, Writing, Editing, Media Purchasing, Supervisory Skills, Natural Foods Knowledge, Conventional Foods Knowledge, Visual Merchandising, Customer Communication, Email Marketing, Social Media, Web Design, Digital Photography

ASSUMPTION: The application process at City Market is designed to assess your creativity, marketing expertise, and alignment with the company's values and mission.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Adobe Creative Suite
• Drupal
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, Constant Contact)
• Social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)
• Web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics)

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools and technologies is essential for success in this role, with opportunities for professional development to expand your skills as needed.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Community
• Sustainability
• Cooperation
• Integrity
• Quality

Work Style:

• Collaborative
• Creative
• Adaptable
• Results-driven
• Customer-focused

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you embody City Market's values in your daily work?
• Can you describe a time when you successfully managed a creative project, and how did you ensure its success?
• How do you stay informed about industry trends and incorporate them into your work?

ASSUMPTION: City Market values employees who are passionate about their community, committed to sustainability, and dedicated to providing high-quality products and services to their customers.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
• Balancing creative and management responsibilities
• Working with a diverse range of stakeholders, including department heads, vendors, and customers
• Adapting to a dynamic work environment, with changing priorities and projects

ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong organizational skills, effective communication, and a commitment to City Market's mission and values.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is unique to City Market, with a focus on community engagement and local sourcing
• Compared to other marketing roles, this position places a greater emphasis on visual merchandising and customer experience
• Career progression in this role may differ from more traditional marketing paths, with opportunities for growth within the cooperative structure

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of creative and management responsibilities, with a strong focus on community engagement and local sourcing.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a comprehensive signage plan for a new store location
• Coordinating a seasonal marketing campaign, including advertising, in-store promotions, and social media content
• Managing a rebranding project, including updates to the company logo, website, and in-store materials

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and the level of creativity and management required for success in this role.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does this role fit into the overall marketing and communication strategy for City Market?
• What are the biggest challenges facing the Marketing & Creative department currently, and how can this role help address them?
• How does City Market support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What is the company's long-term vision for this role, and how can I contribute to its success?
• How does CityMarket engage with and support the local community, and how can this role contribute to those efforts?

ASSUMPTION: These questions demonstrate your interest in the role, the department, and the company, and show that you have thought critically about the position and its potential impact.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare a portfolio or samples of your work, demonstrating your creativity and design skills
• Prepare thoughtful questions about the role, the department, or the company to ask during the interview
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the position

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.