About our Client:
My client is a leader in their category (general merchandise) and selling across multiple retailers. They are growing across all channels and looking for an experienced Industrial Designer in the furniture space to aid their design team.

Location: remote

About the Role:
The Sr. Industrial Designer will lead product design and development efforts to create innovative, functional, and stylish furniture items that perform at retail for home improvement and mass market channels. Under the guidance of the Senior Design team and in partnership with Category and Product Managers. This role requires the right candidate to create designs as well as potentially directing Jr. Designers in design execution. This position will support the business and category management groups’ design/development needs, identify key trends, build seasonal concepts, produce design presentations, and ensure all product development deadlines and key calendar dates are met. This position reports to the Director of Design.

Job Responsibilities

Support Design Directors and Category Managers in establishing product category and retail channel vision and strategies.
Execute design and development of all items in the relevant product categories, from initial concept through approval.
Working with category manager, gather market data on retailer assortments as well as key trends to understand opportunities and integrate them into seasonal concepts and strategies.
Create concept boards.
Articulate and produce retail marketing and merchandising (POP, signage, etc.) collateral.
Review specifications and samples and provide guidance to team and factory/manufacturing partners.
Work with product development and sourcing team to ensure appropriate products are delivered to market.
Participate in weekly product development meetings.
Coordinate and produce elements of presentations.
Drive calendar to ensure all deadlines and key dates are met.
Manage and develop associates.
Recommend effective processes and procedures to improve workflow and results.
Travel as needed to factories (3-4 times per year to China) and buying shows domestically and internationally.

Qualifications

Degree in design or equivalent experience.
Expertise in SolidWorks and Keyshot REQUIRED.
Drafting and illustration talent and skills REQUIRED.
Expert skill set in Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and Powerpoint is REQUIRED.
Minimum 5 years professional experience in Furniture (indoor or outdoor) design required.
Experience working directly with overseas factories.
Experience with drafting and ability to quickly review and comment on drawings.
Graphic design experience a PLUS
Portfolio submission required.
Ability and willingness to travel to China frequently (3-4 times per year).
Strong organizational and time management skills
Good interpersonal skills
Possess persistence and resilience
Possess the ability to deal with ambiguity
Strong negotiation and problem-solving skills
Well-developed oral, written communication, and presentation skills are required
Possess the ability to generate and foster relationships with customers
Ability to work independently as well as part of a sales team
Ability to lift, push and pull up to 70 lbs, and climb an 8-12 foot ladder and reach overhead.
Ability to manage competing priorities and prioritize work

Personal Competencies

Effective Communication: Communicates clearly and effectively with associates at all levels, board members, external partners and customers. Strong verbal and written presentation skills including the ability to communicate complex ideas in a simple way and to tailor key messages and presentation style to multiple audiences.
Global Business Acumen: Understand the complexity of business on a global scale. Embrace cultural and individual differences with empathy. Work with the nuances of specific local cultures to make informed decisions.
Strategic and Analytical Capability: Ability to think globally, strategically, and objectively. Effectively translate data into actionable insights, strategies and financial plans.
Drive for Results: Credibility is earned through delivering results. Balance urgent and effective action, commitment to excellence, taking initiative to resolve problems and work quality.
Influence and Collaboration: Build and sustain collaborative relationships at multiple levels in the company. Build trust by including others and by keeping the cross-functional teams focused on the success of the entire company