Associate Director, Furniture Design

About the role

We inspire purpose-filled living that brings beauty and quality to the modern home. Associates across our business drive results, innovate, and inspire. This is an on-site position (Monday through Thursday) based out of our Northbrook, IL office with the flexibility to work remotely on Fridays.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Vice President of Design to translate seasonal direction into commercially viable product strategies aligned with brand vision and business goals
• Serve as the creative lead for our team of designers for assigned product categories, driving the development and execution of cohesive, trend-right assortments across all categories
• Lead and manage the end-to-end product development process, from concept through final approval, ensuring design integrity, quality, and adherence to timelines
• Establish and evolve processes and workflows to improve efficiency, communication, and overall team performance cross-functionally
• Own the structure, cadence, and outcomes of key product meetings, ensuring clear alignment across design, merchandising, sourcing, and external partners
• Drive accountability to seasonal calendars, proactively identifying risks and communicating timeline changes or challenges to executive leadership
• Review and approve all design concepts and technical specifications prior to vendor handoff, ensuring accuracy and readiness for development
• Collaborate with overseas vendors and agents to resolve development challenges, providing thoughtful solutions that balance design intent, cost, and feasibility
• Build and maintain strong relationships with collaborators through presentations, communication, and product approvals
• Travel internationally as needed to review product development
• Lead, mentor, and develop design team members by setting clear objectives, providing ongoing feedback, and supporting professional growth

Requirements

• Must provide a link to portfolio (including password) on resume or provide PDF samples
• 10 years of experience in product design and development within the furniture and lighting industry
• 5 years of proven experience leading and developing a high-performing design team
• BFA or MA in Industrial Design, Furniture Design, or a related design field, or equivalent practical experience
• Proficiency in industry-standard design software, including Solidworks, Keyshot, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator and Photoshop), and Google/Microsoft Suite applications
• Expert of the product design and development process, including deep technical expertise in materiality, product engineering, manufacturing best practices, and production processes for furniture and lighting
• Demonstrated ability in trend research and driving innovative cross-category product development
• Extensive experience traveling and working with factories in-country on product development projects, as well as travel for design inspiration

Qualifications

• Strong cross-functional leadership skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across design, merchandising, sourcing, and executive teams
• Deep passion for design, interiors, and product development, combined with a strong awareness of market trends, materials, and the evolving competitive landscape
• Understanding of design history, trends, and market positioning
• Proven ability to effectively communicate, influence, and align stakeholders at all levels, including senior leadership, external partners, and vendors, with strong negotiation and decision-making skills
• Strategic thinker with a strong understanding of business priorities, able to translate high-level concepts into actionable design strategies that align with commercial viability
• Experience establishing and improving processes to drive efficiency and elevate team performance
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Detail-oriented with a high standard for quality, accuracy, and execution
• Proven leadership capabilities with experience managing and developing high-performing teams

Skills

• Product design and development
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Leadership and mentoring
• Trend research and innovation
• Project management and organization
• Technical expertise in materiality, product engineering, manufacturing processes

Benefits

• Medical/Dental/Vision
• Life insurance and Disability
• Retail and 401(k) match
• Paid time off, wellness time and volunteer time
• Merchandise discount and EAP resources
• Tuition Reimbursement

Pay

$117,000.00 - $160,000.00
Pay ranges will be adjusted upward as needed to comply with applicable state and local law. In addition to your salary, based on your role, associates may be eligible for other compensation including bonuses, sales incentives, and long term incentives.

Schedule

This is an on-site position (Monday through Thursday) based out of our Northbrook, IL office with the flexibility to work remotely on Fridays.

Contact

The Company is deeply committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please contact the location you are applying to here and ask to speak with a manager regarding the nature of your request.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Company is an equal opportunity employer; applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital, parental, veteran or military status, unfavorable military discharge, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Compliance

The Company participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the US. State / City Compliance: The Company will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal history, including arrest and conviction records, in accordance with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring and the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

Job Applicant Privacy

For details about how the Company collects and uses your personal information, please see our Job Applicant Privacy & Communications Notice.

Questions?

Please reach out to careers@crateandbarrel.com