Berkshire Home Co. is seeking a design team leader to manage an existing team of creative and technical designers. Our ideal candidate is creative, logical, innovative, and collaborative, has excellent process and people management skills, communication skills, and can work through department requirements with a level-headed steadfast nature.
They will oversee the team, be responsible for executing on our creative vision based on customer needs, industry trends, set the standard of output across all designers, manage constantly shifting priorities/timelines, and guide designers to ensure they have the resources and knowledge to succeed.
Job Duties & Successful Candidate Characteristics:
Presentation Oversight
- Oversee quality of artwork and designs produced across all product categories
- Provide clear direction and feedback on design execution, ensuring appropriate scale, technique, and production feasibility to deliver high-quality, manufacturable products
- Initiate training and develop best practice guidelines
Team Collaboration
- Lead design department meetings
- Foster strong communication and cross-team collaboration across in-person, hybrid, and remote teams, ensuring alignment, cohesion, and seamless collaboration across distributed environments
- Avoid silos within the department
- Lead and communicate processes effectively across environments
- Key Account Projects
- Lead or contribute to individual and multi-team projects
- Develop project timelines and coordinate assets as needed
Seasonal Market Development
- Ensure cohesive presentation across categories
- Manage calendar, assignments, and timelines
- Conduct trend research and competitive (comp) shopping to inform seasonal direction
General Department Oversight
- Lead and develop a team of 11 designers, providing functional leadership to additional cross-functional contributors
- Serve as a functional design lead across teams, guiding and directing work for both direct and non-direct reports
- Departmental Budget Management
- Process and workflow implementation and improvements
- Systems management and implementation with overseas offices
- Design technique and production guidance, including print, weaving, and embroidery
- Team attendance/scheduling
- Employee Performance Measurement and Management
Product Scope
- Lead and set the standard for creative direction and execution across bedding, blankets and throws, apparel, and seasonal and decorative categories
Technical Skills
- Strong proficiency in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator required; experience with NedGraphics (CAD) preferred
- Ability to sketch, create patterns, and work within CAD as needed
- Tech-savvy with the ability to quickly learn and adapt to new tools, systems, and technologies.
In Office and Travel
- Maintain regular in-person attendance in Worcester multiple times per week to align with leadership and cross-functional teams
- In-person participation in New York showroom customer meetings
- Regular domestic and international travel required (trade shows, customers and overseas manufacturing)
- Hybrid schedule with expectation to be on site as business demands
Personality Traits
- Creative
- Agile
- Assertive
- Even natured
- Process-minded
- Excellent communication skills
- Strong problem-solving ability
- Willingness to roll up their sleeves
Applicants must have portfolio of relevant design work available upon request.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $100,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- textiles design: 1 year (Preferred)
- Fashion design: 1 year (Preferred)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Worcester, MA 01608
