Designer, Tabletop - Pottery Barn
Williams-Sonoma · San Francisco
About the Team
You will be a part of a collaborative team responsible for designing, producing, driving and managing sample development from concept through to production, working together with Design, Technical Design, Merchants, and Sourcing team members. As part of Williams-Sonoma, Inc., a leader in home lifestyle and retail, our Product Development and Design team brings customer-centered, trend-forward products to life through seasonal collaboration, innovation, and cross-brand alignment.
Role Overview
As a Designer, you will support new product lines and product development processes for each season for specific departments that reflect mood, market trends and business needs. You assist product development meetings and participate as one of the communicators for agents, merchants, sourcing, and color teams. You will work with Senior Management to ensure all deadlines and key calendar dates are met. Not only are you part of the design process, but you will also support the Director and Head Design Manager to manage and collaborate with the rest of the team.
This role requires being onsite in our office Monday to Friday.
Responsibilities
Seasonal Engagement
From concept to market, design 3-Dimensional Tabletop Product through : Research, concept sketching, creating technical drawings and specs, reviewing samples and presenting collections.
- This role is highly creative and highly technical. It requires a great attention to detail in creating tech packs and specs for products and an understanding of how products are made.
- Creative problem solving, effective and efficient approach to achieving beautiful product.
- Schedule and create agenda for the weekly Product Development meetings and Work Sessions
Access business results and support changes that arise from weekly business meetings
Assist and support seasonal product presentations to the team and senior management
Design and develop specs and concept boards while managing concept all the way through product approval
Product Development Strategy
Ability to provide insights and training that aligns with team objectives
Contribute effective processes and procedures to improve workflow and results
Proactively support calendar to recognize milestones and key dates
Develop strong business acumen to support each season; understand brand and financial goals, support business and seasonal strategy
Recognize key fashion trends and analyze what competition is doing to bring new business opportunities or trends to the team
Team Collaboration
Utilize Product Lifecycle Management shared with cross-functional teams to review status of development process
Has strong cross-functional partnership with Williams Sonoma Global Operations country partners, merchants, sourcing, engineering, and color team.
Has ability to clearly communicate the needs with Williams Sonoma Global Operations vendor partners and sourcing in order forvendors to execute design vision
Support department business needs and ability to bring new ideas for specs and concept board
Have problem solving skills to identify existing product issues that may arise
Criteria
Design Experience
Must provide a portfolio or website of current and past experience
Minimum 3 years retail product design experience
Degree in Design or equivalent experience.
Experience in designing (category specific product) for Tabletop Product categories, with an understanding of materials, techniques and processes for metal, wood, ceramic, glass and other natural and new materials.
Experience in identifying and contributing trends and inspiration based on the given concept direction.
- Creative concept development.
- Strong hand drawing skills.
Detailed knowledge of materials, construction and technical design.
- Technical drawing skills for 3-dimensional Tabletop Product.
Must have an aspirational taste-level with passion for interiors, home furnishings, color, designer aesthetic, and industry trends.
Experience designing for retail product lines with an understanding of price points, merchandising, and developing collection on a timeline.
(A plus) Domestic and overseas experience collaborating with factories, understanding price adjustment to reflect brand aesthetic
Understanding and enthusiasm for the brand
Personal Leadership
Ability to work independently as well as with a team in a fast-paced environment
Ability to prioritize, multi-task and adapt to change
Extremely organized, efficient and detail-oriented – excellent calendar adherence and ownership
Excellent time management and communication skills
- Professional communication style in interacting with colleagues and overseas offices and vendors.
Excellent cross functional skills and partnership with merchandisers and product development team
Demonstrate visible leadership at the team and division level, and initiate opportunities for continuous improvement
Technical Proficiency
Must be technically versed in (category specific product), creating detailed specs, product reviews and feedback to vendors.
Full proficiency in Mac operating systems with skill excellence in Adobe Creator Suite, Illustrator (plus for Studio), Photoshop, Computer-aided design, work management system, and 3D modeling skills
Competencies
Understand brand aesthetic, a creative and inspirational thinker
Not only are you design minded and thoughtful, but also business minded
High aptitude and agility to organize communications
Proactive when making strategic decisions; engage in the process
Understand calendar and deliverables, sense of urgency for deadlines
Confidence in cross-functional collaboration and teamwork through each season and process