Sr. Designer Kids Textiles - 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 Senior 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 rest of the team.

This role requires being onsite in our office Monday through 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
• Generate specs and concept boards while owning and managing concept all the way through product approval 

People Management

• May have the opportunity to manage Design Coordinators
• Clarify objectives, assess performance, and provide regular feedback to those assisting you   
• Ability to help interview candidates, provide insights and training that aligns with team objectives

Product Development Strategy

• Recommend effective processes and procedures to improve workflow and results
• Proactively manage calendar to recognize milestones and key dates
• Has 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 
• Has clear understanding of 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 5 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 oversees experience collaborating with factories, understanding price adjustment to reflect brand aesthetic
• Knowledge of constructions and technical design 
• Understanding and enthusiasm for the Pottery Barn 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 cale