Associate Designer, Print

Job Description
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 an Associate 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 with the rest of the team.

This role requires being onsite in our office Monday through Friday.

Responsibilities

Seasonal Engagement

Assist category Designers to prepare for the weekly Product Development meetings and Work Sessions
Understand business results and support changes that arise from weekly Monday Business Review meetings
Assist and support seasonal product presentations to the team and senior management Design and develop specs and concept boards while help Senior Designers manage concept all the way through product approval

Product Development Strategy

Ability to provide insights 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
Maintain and organize development samples both physically and digitally

Criteria

Design Experience

Must provide a portfolio or website of current and past experience
Minimum 2 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.
(A plus) Domestic and overseas experience collaborating with factories, understanding price adjustment to reflect brand aesthetic
(A plus) Mass manufacturing experience in retail environment
(A plus) Knowledge of constructions and technical design
Understanding and enthusiasm for the brand

Personal Leadership

Must have an aspirational taste-level with the willingness to learn and passion for interiors, home furnishings, color, designer aesthetic, and industry trends
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

Technical Proficiency

Design Skills, creative and inspirational thinker, deadline driven. 
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, and work management system, 3D modeling skills (a plus for hard goods)