Associate Director, Furniture Design

Crate & Barrel; Northbrook (IL); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Crate & Barrel is looking for an Associate Director, Furniture Design to lead the creative development of seasonal assortments. This on-site role demands 10 years of experience in product design and excellent cross-functional leadership skills, working closely with teams to ensure design integrity and market alignment.

The ideal candidate will have a deep passion for furniture design, proven leadership in developing high-performing teams, and proficiency in industry-standard design software. Familiarity with trends and vendor collaborations is essential.

Qualifications

• 10 years of experience in product design and development within the furniture and lighting industry.
• 5 years of proven experience leading and developing a high-performing design team.
• Expertise in trend research and driving innovative cross-category product development.

Responsibilities

• Partner with VP of Design to translate seasonal direction into product strategies.
• Lead and manage the end-to-end product development process.
• Establish and improve processes to enhance team performance.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Market trend awareness

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Project management

Detail-oriented

Education

BFA or MA in Industrial Design, Furniture Design

Tools

Solidworks

Keyshot

Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator and Photoshop)

Google/Microsoft Suite applications

Job description

The Associate Director, Furniture Design leads the creative and strategic development of seasonal assortments from concept to market. Partnering with the VP of Design, they execute brand-aligned product strategies while driving cross-functional collaboration and operational excellence. This role manages the design team and vendor relationships, leveraging expertise in materials and trends to deliver innovative, high-quality products that fuel business growth.

This is an on-site position ("Monday through Thursday") based out of our Northbrook, IL office with the flexibility to work remotely on Fridays.

A day in the life as an Associate Director, Furniture Design

• Partner with the Vice President of Design to translate seasonal direction into commercially viable product strategies aligned with brand vision and business goals
• Serve as the creative lead for our team of designers for assigned product categories, driving the development and execution of cohesive, trend-right assortments across all categories
• Lead and manage the end-to-end product development process, from concept through final approval, ensuring design integrity, quality, and adherence to timelines
• Establish and evolve processes and workflows to improve efficiency, communication, and overall team performance cross-functionally
• Own the structure, cadence, and outcomes of key product meetings, ensuring clear alignment across design, merchandising, sourcing, and external partners
• Drive accountability to seasonal calendars, proactively identifying risks and communicating timeline changes or challenges to executive leadership
• Review and approve all design concepts and technical specifications prior to vendor handoff, ensuring accuracy and readiness for development
• Collaborate with overseas vendors and agents to resolve development challenges, providing thoughtful solutions that balance design intent, cost, and feasibility
• Build and maintain strong relationships with collaborators through presentations, communication, and product approvals
• Travel internationally as needed to review product development
• Lead, mentor, and develop design team members by setting clear objectives, providing ongoing feedback, and supporting professional growth

What You’ll Bring To The Table

• Strong cross-functional leadership skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across design, merchandising, sourcing, and executive teams
• Deep passion for design, interiors, and product development, combined with a strong awareness of market trends, materials, and the evolving competitive landscape
• Understanding of design history, trends, and market positioning
• Proven ability to effectively communicate, influence, and align stakeholders at all levels, including senior leadership, external partners, and vendors, with strong negotiation and decision-making skills
• Strategic thinker with a strong understanding of business priorities, able to translate high-level concepts into actionable design strategies that align with commercial viability
• Experience establishing and improving processes to drive efficiency and elevate team performance
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Detail-oriented with a high standard for quality, accuracy, and execution
• Proven leadership capabilities with experience managing and developing high-performing teams

We’d love to hear from you if you have

• Must provide a link to portfolio (including password) on resume or provide PDF samples
• 10 years of experience in product design and development within the furniture and lighting industry
• 5 years of proven experience leading and developing a high-performing design team
• BFA or MA in Industrial Design, Furniture Design, or a related design field, or equivalent practical experience
• Proficiency in industry-standard design software, including Solidworks, Keyshot, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator and Photoshop), and Google/Microsoft Suite applications
• Expert of the product design and development process, including deep technical expertise in materiality, product engineering, manufacturing best practices, and production processes for furniture and lighting
• Demonstrated ability in trend research and driving innovative cross-category product development
• Extensive experience traveling and working with factories in-country on product development projects, as well as travel for design inspiration