Associate Designer - Pottery Barn Kids & Teen

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. 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 helping Senior Designers manage concepts all the way through product approval
• Product Development Strategy
  • Provide insights that align with team objectives
  • Contribute effective processes and procedures to improve workflow and results
  • Proactively support the 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 competition to bring new business opportunities or trends to the team
• Team Collaboration
  • Utilize Product Lifecycle Management shared with cross-functional teams to review the status of the development process
  • Build strong cross-functional partnerships with Williams Sonoma Global Operations country partners, merchants, sourcing, engineering, and color teams
  • Clearly communicate needs with Williams Sonoma Global Operations vendor partners and sourcing to execute design vision
  • Support department business needs and bring new ideas for specs and concept boards
  • Use problem-solving skills to identify existing product issues that may arise
  • Maintain and organize development samples both physically and digitally

Requirements

• Design Experience
  • Must provide a portfolio or website of current and past experience
  • Minimum 2 years of 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
  • Aspirational taste-level with passion for interiors, home furnishings, color, designer aesthetic, and industry trends
  • Domestic and overseas experience collaborating with factories (a plus)
  • Understanding of price adjustment to reflect brand aesthetic (a plus)
  • Mass manufacturing experience in a retail environment (a plus)
  • Knowledge of constructions and technical design
• Personal Leadership
  • Aspirational taste-level with 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 with excellent calendar adherence and ownership
  • Excellent time management and communication skills
  • Strong cross-functional skills and partnership with merchandisers and the product development team
• Technical Proficiency
  • Design skills, creative and inspirational thinker, deadline-driven
  • 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 Creative Suite, Illustrator (Studio is a plus), Photoshop, computer-aided design, and work management systems
  • 3D modeling skills (a plus for hard goods)
• Competencies
  • High aptitude and agility to organize communications
  • Proactive in 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

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

Pay

The expected starting pay range for this position is $60,000 - $70,000. 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 benefits, paid time off, merit, and bonus opportunities.

Schedule

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