Designer, Tabletop - Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous employee discount

401(k) plan and investment opportunities

Paid vacations and holidays

Job summary

Pottery Barn is seeking a Designer focused on product development to drive new product lines that align with market trends and customer needs. The role requires collaboration across Design, Merchants, and Sourcing teams to ensure each product reflects the company's brand aesthetic.

The successful candidate must have at least 3 years of retail design experience, a relevant degree, and proficiency in design software. This onsite role operates Monday to Friday and offers competitive pay and great benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years retail product design experience.
• Must provide a portfolio of current and past work.
• Mass manufacturing experience in a retail environment is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support new product lines and product development processes.
• Assist product development meetings and team collaboration.
• Work with Senior Management to meet deadlines and key dates.

Skills

Retail product design experience

Technical proficiency in design software

Strong communication skills

Ability to work independently and in teams

Fashion trend analysis

Education

Degree in Design or equivalent experience

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

3D modeling skills

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 Designer, 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 assist product development meetings and participate as one of the communicators for agents, merchants, sourcing, and color teams. You will work with Senior Management to ensure all deadlines and key calendar dates are met. Not only are you part of the design process, but you will also support the Director and Head Design Manager to manage and collaborate with the rest of the team.

This role requires being onsite in our office Monday to Friday.

Responsibilities

Seasonal Engagement

• Schedule and create agenda for the weekly Product Development meetings and Work Sessions
• Access business results and support changes that arise from weekly business meetings
• Assist and support seasonal product presentations to the team and senior management
• Design and develop specs and concept boards while managing concept all the way through product approval

Product Development Strategy

• Ability to provide insights and training that aligns with team objectives
• Contribute effective processes and procedures to improve workflow and results
• Proactively support calendar to recognize milestones and key dates
• Develop strong business acumen to support each season; understand brand and financial goals, support business and seasonal strategy
• Recognize key fashion trends andanalyze what competition is doing to bring new business opportunities or trends to the team

Team Collaboration

• Utilize Product Lifecycle 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 ability to bring new ideas for specs and concept board
• Have problem solving skills to identify existing product issues that may arise

Criteria

Design Experience

• Must provide a portfolio or website of current and past experience
• Minimum3 yearsretail productdesign experience
• Degree in Design or equivalent experience.
• Experiencedesigning (category specific product); keeping materials and pricing in mind.
• Experience in identifying and contributing trends and inspiration based on the given concept direction.
• Must have anaspirationaltaste-level with passion for interiors, home furnishings, color, designeraesthetic, and industry trends.
• Mass manufacturing experience in retail environment
• (A plus) Domestic and overseas experience collaborating with factories, understanding price adjustment to reflect brand aesthetic
• (A plus) Knowledge of constructions and technical design.
• Understanding and enthusiasm for the brand

Personal Leadership

• Ability to work independently as well as with a team in a fast‑paced environment
• Ability to prioritize, multi‑task and adapt to change
• Extremely organized, efficient and detail‑oriented – excellent calendar adherence and ownership
• Excellent time management and communication skills
• Excellent cross functional skills and partnership with merchandisers and product development team
• Demonstrate visible leadership at the team and division level, and initiate opportunities for continuous improvement

Technical Proficiency

• Must be technically versed in (category specific product), creating detailed specs, product reviews and feedback to vendors.
• Fullproficiency in Mac operating systems with skill excellence in Adobe Creator Suite, Illustrator (plus for Studio), Photoshop, Computer‑aided design, work management system, and 3D modeling skills

Competencies

• Understand brand aesthetic, a creative and inspirational thinker
• Not only are you design minded, but also business minded
• 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

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

Continued Learning

• 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

Legal and Eligibility Statements

WSI will not now or in the future commence an immigration case or "sponsor" an individual for this position (for example, H‑1B or other employment‑based immigration).

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 $90,000 - $100,000. 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.