The Director, Design - Textiles, is a key creative leadership role within the brand’s Product Design and Development department that builds the future of Crate & Barrel through innovative product design. This position will oversee and lead a team of designers at different levels and guide the design and development of all textile categories, including rugs, pillows, bedding, bath, wallpaper and tabletop textiles such as napkins, runners, and kitchen towels.
A Day in the Life of a Director, Design Textiles...
- Work closely with the SVP, Product Design & Development on the seasonal design and execution of innovative textile product concepts at a macro level.
- Lead a best-in-class creative design team through the incubation and design execution of a uniquely differentiated and innovative textiles collection from concept to market.
- Work closely with key cross-functional leaders across design merchandising and sourcing to deliver the most immersive and compelling product assortment in order to maximize sales, brand synergy, revenue, margin expansion and business growth.
- Oversee the overall trend of the textiles product line at a macro level by providing a directional point of view to members of the team, contributing to our brand’s overall creative identity and voice.
- Lead, foster and mentor designers at different levels with technical textiles design knowledge, including weaving, printing, fabrication, spec surface & print and construction techniques.
- Oversee all related job and administrative responsibilities of the textiles design team.
- Travel extensively for design inspiration and in-country product development, working with key vendor partners domestically and across the globe and in collaboration with our sourcing teams.
- Oversee, lead, and manage the design development process through ideation and sampling through the final product throughout a rigorous brand calendar process that ensures timely execution and quality.
- Manage operational and travel budgets across assigned categories.
What you'll bring to the table...
- Ability to interact with executive and/or major customers/vendors with experience negotiating/influencing.
- Proven ability and experience leading teams, growing businesses, and innovating in the textiles design industry.
- Mastery of the product design and development process and knowledge of production processes related to rugs, bedding, and tabletop textiles.
- In-depth knowledge of the functional area, business strategies, and business priorities.
- Participates with other senior leaders to establish strategic plans and objectives.
- Ability to make final decisions on operational matters that impact the effectiveness of the team.
- Ability to translate business objectives into strategic business plans for the textiles function.
- Within the functional area, proven ability to address complex issues requiring in-depth knowledge.
We'd love to hear from you if you have...
- A minimum of 10 years of experience working in the textiles design industry.
- Experience leading teams with strong communication and leadership skills.
- BFA or MA in Textile Design, Surface Design, or any related design field.
- Strong knowledge of design and art history, specifically relating to patterns, fibers, and weaving.
- Strong technical knowledge of textile design and production processes.
