Technical Designer, Furniture Soft Goods, Fabric, and Leather - Pottery Barn

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.

About the Role 

As a Technical Designer: Furniture Soft Goods, Fabric, and Leather, 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 through Thursday, and remote option on Friday.

Responsibilities 

Seasonal Engagement

• Schedule and create agendas 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 cushion specifications for seasonal Indoor and Outdoor Furniture Developments 

• Provide feedback, corrections, and approvals on cushion fit, finish, and comfort for seasonal indoor and outdoor furniture developments

• Assist in researching new fabric and leather trends, technologies, and developments in the market.

• Support the development of new fabric and leather concepts and innovations.

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

• Create and maintain technical documentation for all cushion patterns

• Coordinate and manage fabric and leather samples from suppliers.

• Organize and maintain sample library for easy access by design and merchant teams

• Document test results and provide feedback to fabric and leather developers.

   

   

   

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 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

• Provide administrative support such as organizing meetings, preparing presentations, and maintaining records related to fabric and leather development.

Criteria

Design Experience

• Degree in Design or equivalent experience.

• Must provide a portfolio or website of current and past experience

• Minimum 3 years soft goods design and fabric & leather development experience

• In depth knowledge of furniture cushion construction and technical design. <