Williams-Sonoma

Retailer of home furnishings and kitchenware

Designer – Collaborations

Industrial DesignConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeBrooklyn, NY, USA

About the Job

Requirements

Must provide a portfolio or website demonstrating current and past experience.
Requires a minimum of 3 years of retail product design experience.
Requires a degree in Design or equivalent experience.
Requires experience designing category-specific products while considering materials and pricing.
Requires experience identifying and contributing trends and inspiration based on the given concept direction.
Requires mass manufacturing experience in a retail environment.
Requires an understanding of and enthusiasm for the brand.
Requires the ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
Requires the ability to prioritize, multitask, and adapt to change.
Requires strong organization, efficiency, attention to detail, calendar adherence, and ownership.
Requires time-management and communication skills.
Requires cross-functional partnership skills with merchandising and product development teams.
Requires technical proficiency in category-specific products, including creating detailed specifications, product reviews, and vendor feedback.
Requires full proficiency in Mac operating systems and Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator, Photoshop, computer-aided design, work management systems, and 3D modeling.
Requires understanding of the brand aesthetic and the ability to think creatively and inspirationally.
Requires the ability to organize communications and engage proactively in strategic decisions.
Requires understanding of calendars and deliverables, and a sense of urgency in meeting deadlines.
Must work onsite in the office Monday through Friday.

Responsibilities

Schedule and create agendas for weekly Product Development meetings and work sessions.
Access business results and support changes arising from weekly business meetings.
Assist with and support seasonal product presentations to the team and senior management.
Design and develop specifications and concept boards, managing concepts through product approval.
Provide insights and training aligned with team objectives.
Contribute effective processes and procedures to improve workflow and results.
Proactively support the calendar by recognizing milestones and key dates.
Develop business acumen to support each season; understand brand and financial goals and support business and seasonal strategy.
Recognize key fashion trends and analyze competitor activity to identify business opportunities and trends for the team.
Use Product Lifecycle Management with cross-functional teams to review development status.
Partner cross-functionally with Williams Sonoma Global Operations country partners, merchants, sourcing, engineering, and the color team.
Communicate needs clearly to Williams Sonoma Global Operations vendor partners and sourcing so vendors can execute the design vision.
Support department business needs and bring new ideas for specifications and concept boards.
Identify existing product issues that may arise.
Support new product lines and seasonal product development processes for assigned departments, reflecting mood, market trends, and business needs.
Participate in product development meetings and communicate with agents, merchants, sourcing, and color teams.
Work with senior management to ensure deadlines and key calendar dates are met.
Support the Director and Head Design Manager in managing and collaborating with the team.

Desired Qualifications

Domestic and overseas experience collaborating with factories and understanding price adjustments to reflect brand aesthetic is a plus.
Knowledge of constructions and technical design is a plus.
Proficiency in Illustrator for Studio is a plus.

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 strategic decisions; engage in the process
Understand calendar and deliverables, sense of urgency for deadlines
Confidence in cross-functional collaboration and teamwork through each season and process

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, holidays, and time off to volunteer
- Health benefits, dental and vision insurance, including same-sex domestic partner benefits
- Tax-free commuter benefits
- A wellness program that supports your physical, financial and emotional health

Continued Learning
- In-person and online learning opportunities through WSI University
- Cross-brand and cross-function career opportunities
- Resources for self-development
- Advisor (Mentor) program
- Career development workshops, learning programs, and speaker series

WSI will not now or in the future commence an immigration case or "sponsor" an individual for this position (for example, H-1B or other employment-based immigration).

This role is not eligible for relocation assistance.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, or other applicable state or local laws and ordinances.

The expected starting pay range for this position is $71,400-83,850. Applicable pay ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. In addition to competitive pay, compensation may include a variety of other components like benefits, paid time off, merit, and bonus opportunities.

About the Company

Williams-Sonoma

Retailer of home furnishings and kitchenware

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. operates through a multi-brand portfolio including Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, West Elm, and others, selling furniture, kitchen appliances, home decor, and specialty foods via stores and e-commerce. It differentiates itself with an upscale, curated brand lineup and an omnichannel shopping experience plus design services to help plan spaces. The company emphasizes sustainability and ethical sourcing, with certifications from Better Cotton, Fair Trade, FSC, and the Global Recycled Standard. Its goal is to serve both residential and business home-furnishing needs while maintaining responsible sourcing and environmental stewardship.

Company size: 10,001+
Company stage: IPO
Headquarters: San Francisco, CA
Founded: 1956

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