Manager, Industrial Design

Country:

United States

Industry:

Product/Industrial Design

General Job Function:

Design Management

Terms:

Permanent

Hours:

Full Time

Job Level:

Senior

Reporting to the Director of Design; North American Design Studio, the Manager of Design position provides the overall direction to product development ensuring Steelcase products are SMART, DESIRABLE and VIABLE. This candidate understands that opportunity exists at the intersection between sociological and technological change. Primary responsibility is making INSIGHTS visible; the conceptualization and development of manufacturable products within marketable designs, which meet both visual and functional expectations.

He/She will work within a global design team framework and will manage a team of people in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Mission:
*Develops and implements product design strategies and plans for all new products. Acts as a member of leadership, setting design direction for global design and determining product priorities, scope and direction.
*Ensures product design meets and exceeds corporate standards, integrate with current products, meet availability deadlines and offer the highest possible level of innovation, esthetic appeal and user productivity.
*Works closely with product marketing, engineering, sales, promotion, model shop and design in North America, Europe and Asia.
*Evaluates receptivity of Steelcase products within architecture and interior design communities. Maintains industry contacts, provides program and product presentations.
*Provides sales assistance on large projects. Acts as specialist for integrated selling to clients. Provides clients with product information, design and future potential.
*Evaluates and may implement outside design proposals for applicability to Steelcase products.
*Identifies and initiates contacts with outside design sources, consultants and consulting firms for exchange of ideas and design assistance.

Specific Skills:

*Extensive knowledge of industrial design, architecture, interior design, manufacturing and a variety of marketing functions. *Prior managerial experience is required with ability to coordinate several departments toward common goals. *Must have ability to observe market needs and establish both long and sort term goals to meet those needs. *Industrial design and/or architecture experience is required. *Must have strong platform presentation skills and ability to communicate with both technical and non technical audiences with high impact. *Ability to lead and motivate a team. *Must be capable of maintaining positive industry and customer contacts. *Member of category product planning and product marketing team.

How to Apply:

Please submit a cover letter and a portfolio of your work in PDF format. Please do not send a link to a web page, we print submssions and cannot easily print from web pages. A reference to your web site is ok. NOTE: Candidates who are not US citizens or permanent residents need to have authorization to work in the US in order to apply.

City:

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Contact Email:

Email contact form

Recruiter Name:

Steelcase Inc

Advertiser:

Direct Employer