Senior Manager, Merchandise Designer - Textiles & Floor Coverings

About the role

The Senior Manager of Home: Textiles & Floor Coverings Department at Walmart Brands Design leads the creative vision, design execution, and design development of rugs, carpets, and home textile categories.

Responsibilities

• Create original artwork using hand painting, sketching, and digital tools to develop compelling textile and rug designs.
• Design across multiple categories including rugs, carpets, pillows, poufs, blankets, bedding, bath, window, and utility mats and soft.
• Modify, recolor, and adapt original and purchased artwork into repeats, colorways, and production-ready layouts.
• Translate creative vision into commercially viable designs that meet customer, retailer, and price-point needs.
• Constantly innovate to achieve elevated designs and constructions at affordable prices.
• Produce CAD design packages using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Ned-Graphics or similar programs.
• Design using a wide range of rug and textile constructions including hand tufted, hand knotted, machine tufted, ICN, dobby, jacquard, Axminster, hand-loomed, knitting, and weaving techniques.
• Prepare accurate production files with clear color callouts, measurements, and specifications adhering to Walmart Standards.
• Ensure artwork is technically optimized for manufacturing and retail execution.
• Develop comprehensive trend, color, and concept reports for rugs and home textiles.
• Conduct ongoing market research and competitive analysis to identify emerging trends, techniques, and materials.
• Scout global markets and trade shows for innovation in design, sustainability, and production techniques.
• Recommend environmentally sustainable textile practices and support the development of responsible product systems.
• Lead or contribute to sustainable product initiatives, including eco-conscious materials and processes as part of Walmart sustainability initiatives.
• Stay informed on new technologies, tools, and techniques impacting textile and rug design.
• Lead the end-to-end design in conjunction with Product Development from concept through retail launch.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Merchandising, Product Development, Quality teams, Sourcing, and Production teams.
• Communicate design strategies clearly with internal partners and vendors.
• Potentially travel internationally (2–4 times per year) to work directly with mills and production partners.
• Manage freelancer relationships and support junior designers as needed.
• Maintain and manage CAD artwork libraries, rug libraries and print archives.
• Ensure consistent file naming, version control, and digital asset organization aligns with seasonal drops and Walmart Brand Design Teams system.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrate strong workflow management, attention to detail, and organizational discipline.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Fine Arts or equivalent degree in Textile Design, Surface Design, Interior Design or related field.
• Extensive experience in rug and textile design across residential, hospitality, and commercial markets.
• Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Microsoft Excel, Ned-Graphics, or related design software.
• Strong understanding of the full product lifecycle, from concept development through production and installation.
• Proven ability to balance creative vision with commercial objectives.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate across teams and cultures.
• Highly organized, self-driven, and adaptable work style; effective both independently and in group settings.
• Demonstrated leadership, problem-solving, and strategic thinking abilities.
• Ability to review and refine existing brand assortments, spot white space and recommend solutions.
• Be able to design across a variety of aesthetics including kids brands.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with print libraries, digital asset management systems, and archival processes.
• Retailers with strong style relevance.
• Familiarity with global manufacturing environments, particularly in India.

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive pay as well as performance-based bonus awards and other great benefits for a happier mind, body, and wallet.
• Health benefits include medical, vision and dental coverage.
• Financial benefits include 401(k), stock purchase plan, and company-paid life insurance.
• Paid time off benefits include PTO (including sick leave), parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting.
• Other benefits include short-term and long-term disability, company discounts, Military Leave Pay, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, and more.