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Director, Furniture Product Development - Bedding & Bath
Restoration Hardware
Corte Madera, CA, United States
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Restoration Hardware is looking for a Product Designer/Product Development Director to focus on our Bed and Bath assortments.
• Manage product development process for the Bed and Bath departments from initial concepts through final sample approval.
• Research both assigned product development categories and general market. Internet, publications, trade shows, manufacturers’ catalogs, shop visits, etc. Interpret results for Restoration Hardware brand. Formulate and propose competitive strategy.
• Work with PD Director & Merchandising team to develop seasonal design concepts.
• Pull inspiration images, and sketch new design proposals.
• Create and send out spec packs for new developments.
• Initiate samples, track, and receive packages for timely review of incoming product.
• Create and maintain PD tracker, internal database, and project binders for each season.
• Manage in-season conference calls with foreign agents/vendors for status updates as needed.
• Ensure RH standards are communicated and met in developing product.
• Ensure each project’s adherence to RH Master Calendar deadlines.
• Meet regularly with PD Director regarding issues in assigned area.
• Schedule and conduct weekly meeting with Merchants and Sourcing/QA partners in assigned product development areas to communicate progress on projects, and review samples. Prepare recaps and written reports when meeting is not possible.
• Drive for speedy product approval.
• Maintain clear and complete development archives.
• Manage, organize and maintain color and finish approval swatch library.
• Work with PD Director, Merchants, and Web/Catalog Retouching team to create and audit swatch libraries used for color review/approvals. Review photography with retouchers for approval.
• Concept, develop and execute merchandise concepts in accordance with RH merchandising vision and brand strategy
• Research PD categories and general market. Internet, publications, trade shows, manufacturers’ catalogs, shop visits, etc.
Product Management:
• Manage product development process in assigned categories from concept through final sample approval
• Create and maintain PD Status Spreadsheet and Project Binder for each season
• Ensure each projects adherence to RH Master Calendar deadlines
• Work with VP, merchant, RH Sourcing, and agent to identify manufacturer for each project. Multiple-source as appropriate.
• Submit outgoing PD projects to VP, merchant, and DMM for approval
• Ensure RH standards are communicated and met in developing product
• Communicate in a consistent and timely manner all progress and issues that arise in development to the PD team and appropriate merchants
• Monitor approval process to insure quick turnaround.
Administration:
• Meet weekly with VP with regard to issues in assigned area. Submit written report in weeks when meeting is not possible
• Contract freelance design services with approval of VP. Manage freelance relationships in accordance with RH policy. Confirm billed hours and submit invoices to Director
• Maintain clear and complete development archives
• Schedule and conduct weekly meeting with merchants in assigned PD areas to communicate progress on projects
• Plan, track, and reconcile budget categories as assigned by Director. Maintain accurate records of expenditures and submit in a timely manner
• Enforce in-house copyright protection and report legal concerns to VP
Product Development:
• Work with VP to develop initial seasonal concepts
• PD Preseason Brainstorm Meeting: present tear sheets, preliminary ideas
• PD/Design Concept Focus Meeting: Establish key ideas
• Prepare and present product ideas to larger RH group at Seasonal Strategy Meetings
• Work with VP and merchants to create PD Needs List for season based upon agreed-upon key concepts.
REQUIREMENTS
• 3-8 years in product design/development work or interior design work
• Great taste, knowledge of furniture styles, knowledge of the home furnishings marketplace and landscape
• Experience specifically in furniture and lighting desired
• High end/luxury experience desired
• Articulate and persuasive communication skills, both written and verbal.
• An ability to hit the ground running – a confident, entrepreneurial self-starter
• Manage and prioritize projects, and to delegate tasks appropriately
• Innovative problem-solving skills – dissect and determine root causes of problems, and implement solutions
• A track record of taking on big challenges and delivering despite obstacles and limited resources
• Strong project management skills
• Strong client relation skills
• Strong business and communication skills
• Ability to organize product ideas and develop into collections
• Strong presentation skills both visually and verbally