A fantastic opportunity is available for a graduate level Junior Designer to join my clients growing team, working as part of the Product Team in Home Accessories.
The successful candidate will have a degree in 3D Design or Product Design, and an interest in homewares.
Job Overview
Reporting to the Buyer for Home Accessories but working alongside the Head of Product for Home Accessories and Soft Furnishings, this role has a remit which spans the entire Home Accessories category, including Vases, Object, Candle Accessories, Decorative Frames and Storage. You will be of post graduate level, with a relevant degree ideally in 3 Dimensional or Product Design and a strong interest in Hard Accessories.
You will work alongside the Buyer and Head of Product in the design and development of the product range with global suppliers to deliver both branded and customer own branded Home products for our nationwide customers in alignment with our product development strategy and seasonal design orientations. In addition to 3-Dimensional Design, we are also looking for a candidate with capability in 2D surface design, with the ability to work on packaging and applied print and pattern application.
Working collaboratively across our product team, which includes design and buying team members for Home Textiles, you will manage your design and development workload alongside the Buyer to create unique designs which offer point of difference and reflect the brand. We work across a broad section of material areas, from wood to glass, marble, ceramics and resin, so the ability to adapt your skills to different manufacturing disciplines is important. We work closely with our global supply base and our international sourcing team on all of our product development, so are looking for a candidate who can work collaboratively, often at a distance via email or video call.
Knowledge of both Photoshop and CAD are key, alongside competence in Windows applications. Adherence to our critical path is vital, to ensure the timely introduction of new products to our business to meet internal deadlines. In this regard, the successful candidate must be self-motivated and organised in their approach, with the ability to prioritise and effectively manage workload.
Key responsibilities - Product Development
Trends & Market / Competitor Analysis
- Observe and present trend research and product opportunities to grow your category
- Complete regular market/competitor analysis to support the department strategy and design direction
- Understand our competitors and work to ensure that our designs set us apart
Product Development & Briefing
- Contribute to the creative direction of our product development strategy, demonstrating your knowledge of relevant brands, sites, social pages etc which could provide inspiration to the range build
- Work alongside the Buyer to ensure that our produce development responds to agreed briefs and aligns with our overall product strategy.
- Liaise with both our international supplier and our international sourcing teams to drive our product development from design to sampling, landing products right first time, in line with our critical path
- Support both the Buyer and our UK Sales Team to attend key customer meetings, listening and responding to our customer's requirements and feeding back on the progression of customer specific briefs
Key responsibilities - Administration and Communication
Stakeholder Management & Communication
- Maintaining good relationships with all relevant teams, from the wider Product Team to our UK Sales Teams, Quality Control and our global supply base / international sourcing teams
- Working collaboratively with all key stakeholders, you respond to briefs proactively and with positivity
Organisation
- Good organisational skills, with the ability to manage processes, time management and prioritisation skills
Critical Path management
- Good understanding of critical path and able to chase suppliers / team members to meet deadlines
- Catch ups with key stakeholders to ensure any delays to product developments are flagged and resolved
Reporting
- Able to understand sales reporting, and be knowledgeable of the sales performance of your product area, to inform our product development plan and to ensure that all new product additions meet sales expectations
Teamwork
- The ability to work within a team environment, where all decisions are collaborative
- Communicating progress and any issues with meeting deadlines
- Supportive of those around you, with a positive, can-do attitude and a hands on approach. We are a small team where everyone plays their part and there is no hierarchy in achieving the jobs at hand
Personal Development
- Desire to learn and develop self
- Proactive in seeking feedback
- Honest and open
Experience & Skills Required
- Graduate level or relevant experience
- An interest in the Homewares market, with a passion for design
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work proactively and independently
- Prior knowledge of Excel and Power Point a benefit
- Team player, collaborative and self-motivated
- Organized and able to prioritise workload