What are the responsibilities and job description for the Color Assistant - West Elm position at West Elm?
Job Description
About the Team
You will be part of a collaborative Color team within Product Development, supporting seasonal color initiatives across categories to ensure consistency from development through production. 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.
About The Role
As an Assistant Colorist, you will support senior color team members while managing your own categories, reviewing and approving seasonal color developments across materials and product types, and maintaining clear communication with cross-functional partners, agents, and vendors. You will track, organize, and maintain seasonal palettes, ensuring accurate records and on-time approvals to uphold Williams-Sonoma, Inc.’s high color standards across all product categories.
This role requires being onsite in our office Monday through Thursday, and remote option on Friday.
Responsibilities
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.
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.
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 part of a collaborative Color team within Product Development, supporting seasonal color initiatives across categories to ensure consistency from development through production. 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.
About The Role
As an Assistant Colorist, you will support senior color team members while managing your own categories, reviewing and approving seasonal color developments across materials and product types, and maintaining clear communication with cross-functional partners, agents, and vendors. You will track, organize, and maintain seasonal palettes, ensuring accurate records and on-time approvals to uphold Williams-Sonoma, Inc.’s high color standards across all product categories.
This role requires being onsite in our office Monday through Thursday, and remote option on Friday.
Responsibilities
- Manage Upholstery and Textile categories
- Review and approve color for development samples, including lab dips, strike-offs, finish samples, and production samples across product categories.
- Collaborate with Design, Merchandising, and Product Development teams to align on seasonal color direction and approvals.
- Communicate clear and actionable color comments to vendors and overseas partners using email, PLM, and calls.
- Track and confirm seasonal color submissions, ensuring timely approvals and updates in PLM and color tracking documents.
- Create and maintain seasonal color palettes and archives for reference across cross-functional teams and vendor partners.
- Attend and support seasonal product reviews, milestone meetings, and color reviews, providing updates on color status and flagging risks as needed.
- Assist in maintaining organized color submit archives and product libraries, ensuring accessibility for design and development teams.
- Support seasonal floor set-ups, photoshoot color prep, and concept presentations as needed.
- Perform general administrative support including documentation management and cross-functional communication.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Textile Design or related field
- 2 years of textile color management or related field experience
- Strong color sense (must take and pass Munsell Color Test)
- Knowledgeable of printing technique and woven patterns
- Proficient Computer Skill: Microsoft Office, Photoshop
- Understanding and enthusiasm for the brand
- 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
- High aptitude and agility to organize communications
- Proactive when given strategic decisions; engage in the process
- Understand calendar and deliverables, sense of urgency for deadlines
- Strong cross-functional collaboration and teamwork
- This role requires being onsite in the Dumbo Brooklyn office
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.
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.
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