Designer, Collaborations - West Elm

About the Team

You will be a part of a collaborative team responsible for 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

• 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 for vendors 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 designing (category specific product); keeping materials and pricing in mind.   
• Experience in identifying and contributing trends and inspiration based on the given concept direction.  
• Must have an aspirational taste-level with passion for interiors, home furnishings, color, designer aesthetic, and industry trends.   
• Mass manufacturing experience in retail environment
• (A plus) Domestic and overseas experience collaborating with factories, understanding price adjustment to reflect brand aesthetic
• (A plus) Knowledge of constructions and technical design. 
• 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
• 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, but also business minded
• High aptitude and agility to organize communications
• Proactive when making strateg