Senior Kids, Furniture Designer - West Elm

About the Role 

As a Senior Kids Furniture Designer at West Elm, you will play a pivotal role in shaping our product line by creating compelling and trend-setting furniture designs. Working under the leadership of the Vice President, your primary responsibility will be to lead the design process from ideation to execution, ensuring that our products align with our brand vision, market trends, and customer needs. This role will also be responsible for the management of 1-2 direct reports. 

Responsibilities 

• Conceptualize and develop original furniture designs that reflect West Elm's design philosophy and aesthetic. 
• Work with a team of designers, providing mentorship, guidance, and support throughout the design process. 
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including product development, sourcing, and merchandising to ensure design feasibility and market viability. 
• Conduct trend research, market analysis, and competitive benchmarking to drive innovation and maintain a competitive edge. Pull tears and work with senior team members to refine design briefs 
• Create detailed sketches, renderings, and prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts. 
• Evaluate designs for optimal manufacturing and cost effectiveness 
• Review technical vendor drawings and organize/ own sample reviews 
• Develop and manage presentations to present design content and samples to senior leadership 
• Oversee the entire product development lifecycle, from concept to production, ensuring adherence to quality standards and timelines. 
• Travel as needed for sourcing materials, visiting manufacturers, and attending trade shows to stay informed about industry developments and foster supplier relationships. 

You… 

• Are passionate about design, style, and decorating 
• Love to work collaboratively in a group and have an innate willingness to dig in and contribute with your team 
• Are driven and motivated by the possibilities ahead 
• Think innovation is critical in a business environment and support others in creative thinking 
• Pride yourself on the quality of work and are a stickler for the details. 

Criteria

• Degree in design or equivalent experience.  

• Minimum 6-8 years professional experience required. 

• Strong understanding of materials, manufacturing processes, and furniture construction techniques. 

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills. 

• Experience managing at least one report.  

• Experience with drafting, 3D modeling, and rendering a must (Rhino, SolidWorks, AutoCAD and Keyshot) 

• Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Powerpoint and Outlook are essential. 

• Experience in PLM or other product management tools 

• Experience manufacturing products outside of the United States 

• Strong attention to design details when reviewing technical drawings 

• This role requires being onsite in the Dumbo Brooklyn office 

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Our Culture & Values 

We believe that taking care of our people is vital to our success and we strive to offer equitable and transparent practices for all. We prioritize connection, growth, and wellbeing. 

People First 

Putting People First means investing in overall well-being and opportunities to grow and advance within the organization. Depending on the position and location, here are a few highlights of what benefits may be available:

 

Benefits

• A generous discount on all WSI brands

• A 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities

• Paid vacations, holiday