What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Designer, Bed Bath - Pottery Barn position at Pottery Barn?
Job Description
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 a Design Assistant, 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 will work closely with Senior Management and Designers to ensure new developments are communicated to vendors overseas. You will support senior design team with day-to-day tasks in design / development process and assure all deadlines and key calendar dates are met.
This role requires being onsite in our office Monday through Friday.
Responsibilities
Seasonal Engagement
Design Experience
We believe that taking care of our people is vital to our success and we strive to offer equitable and transparent practices for all. We prioritize connection, growth, and wellbeing. Our associates are encouraged to bring their authentic selves to work, so they can be their best and achieve their personal and professional goals. We make inclusivity a cornerstone of our culture by welcoming associates with diverse cultures and backgrounds and celebrating them, together. We nurture an open, inclusive environment for all. Our differences—whatever they may be—are valued, explored, and appreciated. Together, we’re creating a more just and inclusive company culture where the only criteria for advancement are:
People First
Putting People First means investing in overall well-being and opportunities to grow and advance within the organization. Depending on the position and location, here are a few highlights of what benefits may be available:
Benefits
This role is not eligible for relocation assistance.
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, or other applicable state or local laws and ordinances.
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 a variety of other components like benefits, paid time off, merit, and bonus opportunities.
About Us
Our Company
Founded in 1956, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the premier specialty retailer of high-quality products for the kitchen and home in the United States. Our family of brands are Williams Sonoma, Williams Sonoma Home, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, Rejuvenation, West Elm, Mark & Graham, Outward, and GreenRow. These brands are among the best known and most respected in the industry. We offer beautifully-designed, stylish and functional products for every area of the home, including the kitchen, living room, bedroom, home office, closet, laundry room and even outdoor spaces. We've seen some big changes since our first brick-and-mortar store opened more than half of a century ago. What hasn't changed is our passion for high-quality products, functional design, outstanding customer service, and enhancing the lives of our customers and the communities where we operate. Today, we're a multi-brand, multi-channel, global enterprise supported by state-of-the-art technology and some of the most talented teams in retailing - and we're always looking for new energy and ideas.
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 a Design Assistant, 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 will work closely with Senior Management and Designers to ensure new developments are communicated to vendors overseas. You will support senior design team with day-to-day tasks in design / development process and assure all deadlines and key calendar dates are met.
This role requires being onsite in our office Monday through Friday.
Responsibilities
Seasonal Engagement
- Assist Designers to organize and prepare for the weekly Product Development meetings and Work Sessions
- Assist and support seasonal product presentations to the team and senior management
- Assist Designers with developing specs and concept boards
- Ability to provide insights that aligns with team objectives.
- Understand effective processes and procedures to align workflow and results.
- Proactively support calendar to recognize milestones and key dates.
- Recognize key fashion trends and understand what competition is doing
- Maintain and organize development samples both physically and digitally
- Tracks department samples and ensures all samples are approved in a timely manner
- Utilize Product Lifecyle Management shared with cross-functional teams to review status of development process
- Has strong cross-functional partnership with Williams Sonoma Global Operations country partners, merchants, sourcing, engineering, and color team.
- Has ability to clearly communicate the needs with Williams Sonoma Global Operations vendor partners and sourcing in order for vendors to execute design vision
- Support department business needs and is encouraged to bring new ideas for specs and concept board
- Have problem solving skills to identify existing product issues that may arise
Design Experience
- Must provide a portfolio or website of current and past experience
- Minimum 1 year retail product design experience
- Degree in Design or equivalent experience
- Must have an aspirational taste-level with the 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
- Organized, efficient and detail-oriented – excellent calendar adherence
- Strong time management and communication skills
- Strong cross functional skills and partnership with merchandisers and product development team
- Technically versed to create detailed specs, product reviews and feedback to vendors.
- Full proficiency in Mac operating systems with skill excellence in Adobe Creator Suite, Illustrator (a plus for Studio), Photoshop, Computer-aided design, and work management system, (3D modeling skills is a plus)
- High aptitude and agility to organize communications
- Proactive when 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
We believe that taking care of our people is vital to our success and we strive to offer equitable and transparent practices for all. We prioritize connection, growth, and wellbeing. Our associates are encouraged to bring their authentic selves to work, so they can be their best and achieve their personal and professional goals. We make inclusivity a cornerstone of our culture by welcoming associates with diverse cultures and backgrounds and celebrating them, together. We nurture an open, inclusive environment for all. Our differences—whatever they may be—are valued, explored, and appreciated. Together, we’re creating a more just and inclusive company culture where the only criteria for advancement are:
- The quality of our work
- The contributions we make to our teams and the business
- Our ability to lead and connect
People First
Putting People First means investing in overall well-being and opportunities to grow and advance within the organization. Depending on the position and location, here are a few highlights of what benefits may be available:
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
- 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
This role is not eligible for relocation assistance.
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, or other applicable state or local laws and ordinances.
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 a variety of other components like benefits, paid time off, merit, and bonus opportunities.
About Us
Our Company
Founded in 1956, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the premier specialty retailer of high-quality products for the kitchen and home in the United States. Our family of brands are Williams Sonoma, Williams Sonoma Home, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, Rejuvenation, West Elm, Mark & Graham, Outward, and GreenRow. These brands are among the best known and most respected in the industry. We offer beautifully-designed, stylish and functional products for every area of the home, including the kitchen, living room, bedroom, home office, closet, laundry room and even outdoor spaces. We've seen some big changes since our first brick-and-mortar store opened more than half of a century ago. What hasn't changed is our passion for high-quality products, functional design, outstanding customer service, and enhancing the lives of our customers and the communities where we operate. Today, we're a multi-brand, multi-channel, global enterprise supported by state-of-the-art technology and some of the most talented teams in retailing - and we're always looking for new energy and ideas.
Salary : $60,000 - $70,000