Product Designer – Retail (Waunakee)

Uniek, Inc. a leading home décor manufacturer and importer is seeking a Product Designer - Retail to join our retail marketing team in this exciting and fast-paced industry! 

We’re looking for an enthusiastic Product Designer with a passion for home décor and who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment. The ideal person for this role is creative, entrepreneurial, detail-oriented, adaptable, organized, passionate about design, a critical thinker, and collaborative. Experience with overseas manufacturing and developing products for U.S. mass market channels is a plus.

Purpose and Objectives:

1. Responsible for the design, development, and introduction of new products that meet the needs of the Uniek business and our customers.
2. Responsible for understanding current and future design trends.

Essential/Specific Duties and Tasks:

Understanding of and accountability for developing and participating in the product development strategy and development plan for new product introductions, including product mix, POG merchandising, promotions, while hitting determined price points, retail margin, and trade profit, etc.

Working with Sales, Marketing, Sourcing, and Product Management to provide all requested deliverables for all assigned projects.

Product design and development for the following categories that are trend right and meet the needs of both accounts and customers:

Picture Frames	Accent Furniture
Mirrors	Wall Organization
Art	Décor Accents

4. Understand performance measures of new and existing products that include quality, account placement, sales forecasts vs. actual performance, standard cost vs. actual cost, and targeted margins.
5. Interface directly with customers to present, communicate, and demonstrate the design attributes and performance of Uniek products.
6. Support designs through relevant trend information.
7. Continually investigates new product ideas, design features, and attributes to provide Uniek with product distinction and a competitive advantage.
8. Learn and effectively utilize the capabilities and strengths of our overseas manufacturers in new product designs that align with brand guardrails.
9. Work directly with the manufacturing staff, sourcing department, and outside suppliers to continue driving new materials' use.
10. Collaborate with design and creative services teams on cross-account projects when demand requires.
11. Performs other duties as assigned.

Held Accountable For:

1. Designing, developing, and launching approved new products per project plans and within established budget parameters while achieving margin requirements.
2. Creating and providing design specifications to overseas manufacturers.
3. Direct communication with overseas manufacturers during the sampling process.
4. Learning and effectively utilizing the strengths and efficiencies of a wide range of product types and materials at our large network of manufacturers: plastics (PS, PP, Resin, Acrylic, Injection molding, extrusion), ceramics and stoneware, wood, mdf (veneer, paper wrap, cut and join, routering, molding), faux plants (plastic, fabric), canvas, woven goods, candles, accent furniture, mirrors, glass (blown and molded)
5. Reviewing design samples for quality, accuracy and improvements.
6. Maintaining a thorough understanding of current and future décor trends.
7. Personal management of deliverable details and timelines.
8. Execution of presentation materials within given timelines.
9. Communication to management of product/project status and next steps.
10. Works independently on the design of product lines with direction from customer team(s).

• College degree in industrial design, product design or graphic design.
• 3+ years in a design role, preferably in product design and with home décor experience.
• Experience with as many of the aforementioned materials and/or product types.   
• Experience with overseas communication, manufacturing and sourcing is ideal.
• Experience with project management - ability to prioritize, manage and deliver multiple projects on time.
• Strong critical thinking skills and an understanding of scale/3D form.
• Strong creative process and conceptual aptitude.
• Experience with Mass Market retail CPG design a plus.
• Flexibility to adapt quickly to internal and external changes and desire to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Key Performance Indicators:
• On-time, accurate, and on-cost completion of product design from concept to launch.
• On-time and effective communication both overseas and internal.
• Innovation and creativity.

We offer an excellent benefits package to include paid vacation; paid sick time; holiday pay, health, dental, and vision insurance; paid Short Term Disability, Basic Life and AD&D insurance; Flexible Spending Account (medical & dependent); supplemental life and AD&D; Long Term Disability and 401K with company match.

Interested and qualified candidates should send their resumes and links to portfolios for consideration.