MARKETING ASSOCIATE - CORPORATE

About Us: Uwajimaya is more than just a grocery store — we’re a vibrant cultural destination with a rich history rooted in family, community, and food. Since 1928, we’ve grown into the Pacific Northwest’s premier Asian retailer, known for our wide selection, welcoming atmosphere, and commitment to sharing the diverse traditions of Asian cultures. We take pride in creating a one-of-a-kind experience for customers and employees alike — one that’s centered around food, culture, and people.

Why Join Uwajimaya?

At Uwajimaya, we believe in nurturing growth — in our communities, our customers, and our team members. We foster an environment built on collaboration, curiosity, and care. Whether you're starting your career or bringing years of experience, you'll find opportunities to make a meaningful impact in a workplace that values tradition, innovation, and connection.

Who We're Looking For
We’re looking for team members who are collaborative, thoughtful, and passionate about making a difference. Whether you’re serving customers, supporting operations, or leading a team, you bring a people-first mindset and a strong work ethic. If you thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and believe in the power of inclusion, community, and connection — you’ll feel right at home here.

To thrive at Uwajimaya, you should embody our core competencies:

• Functional/Technical Skills: You possess the necessary functional and technical knowledge to perform your job at a high level.

• Customer Focus: You are dedicated to meeting customer expectations and requirements, using feedback for improvements, and building effective relationships based on trust and respect.

• Action Oriented: You enjoy working hard, are full of energy for challenging tasks, and seize opportunities with minimal planning.

• Peer Relationships: You can find common ground with peers, solve problems collaboratively, and are seen as a cooperative team player who encourages collaboration.

• Self-Development: You are committed to continuous self-improvement, adapt to different situations, and work to develop your strengths while addressing weaknesses.

We offer:

• A flexible, inclusive, and friendly work culture

• Competitive starting wages

• Paid holidays from day one

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision benefits

• A generous retirement plan

• Paid time off, long-term disability, and life insurance

• Employee discounts on food and gift items

• Supplemental insurance options

• Opportunities for growth and advancement

Position Summary:

Are you passionate about Asian food, culture and driving an exceptional brand experience?  Uwajimaya, the largest Asian grocery and gift market in the Pacific Northwest, is seeking a creative and detail-oriented Marketing Associate to help bring our brand to life across stores and digital platforms.

In this role, you’ll support the support the Senior Marketing Associate and Senior Marketing Manager in the creation of graphics, signage, and marketing materials for promotions, events, and store programs to enhance the customer experience.  The ideal candidate has a strong eye for design, a passion for visual storytelling, and an appreciation for Asian food and culture.  This position combines creative design work with marketing support, offering the chance to contribute to campaigns and projects that engage and inspire our customers contributing directly to the overall marketing strategy.

Position’s Key Responsibilities:

• Create visually engaging graphics and marketing materials for in-store signage, weekly promotions, email, social media, and web use, ensuring brand consistency.

• Assist with layout and production of printed collateral including flyers, posters, shelf signs, handouts, and digital screen content.

• Support ongoing marketing programs, retail programs and store events by preparing necessary assets and deliverables in collaboration with the broader team.

• Coordinate with internal departments—including Retail Central Services (RCS) and store teams—to gather content and information needed for marketing initiatives, including the weekly ad.

• Assist with internal communications by creating and distributing employee-facing materials, signage, and updates as needed.

• Organize and maintain internal asset libraries including templates, logos, photos, and historical designs.

• Manage file preparation, printing, and distribution of marketing materials with both internal stakeholders and external vendors.

• Handle regular website content changes and email campaign setup of weekly or promotional email newsletters.

• Provide light photography and editing of products or events for use in marketing materials.

• Assist with basic administrative tasks such as invoice processing, mailing list maintenance, and tracking of project timelines.

• Identify trends, opportunities and contribute ideas for improving Uwajimaya's marketing strategy.

• Collaborate with the Senior Marketing Associate to ensure visual consistency across campaign elements.

• Other duties as assigned.

Starting Pay: $25.50/hr., Depending on Experience
Pay Range: $25.50 – $30.00/hr.

Uwajimaya participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. Please review the E-Verify Participation Poster and Right to Work Poster before proceeding with your application

IER Right to Work Poster (English/Spanish) (PDF, 322.73 KB)

E-Verify Participation Poster (English/Spanish) (PDF, 259.92 KB)

Uwajimaya is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Position Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Marketing, Communications, or equivalent experience preferred.

• Strong graphic design skills and proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop) and Canva required.

• Strong organizational, time management and multitasking skills.

• Strong attention to detail and an ability to follow brand guidelines.

• Knowledge of layout, typography, and preparing files for print and digital use.

• Self-motivated with strong interpersonal and social skills.

• Experience in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Familiarity with WordPress or email marketing platforms is helpful.

• Passion for cooking and Asian food a plus.

• Knowledge of Japanese language is a plus.