Manager, Product Design (Minneapolis)

Position Profile :

The Manager, Product Design works closely with the Creative Director to support art direction and feedback and manage the Product Design team. The team is accountable for the developing products and packaging for the CURiO Brand portfolio that are innovative, beautiful, safe, and sellable to end consumers. This position provides expertise and guidance to the Product Design team in the creation and sourcing of custom vessels ( glass, metal, and ceramic ), and secondary packaging ( paper boxes, tubes, bags, labels, hangtags). The position collaborates across CURiOs departments, working closely with : Project Management, Brand, R&D, Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Marketing. The role has direct reports that may consist of any of the following positions : Sr. Product Designer, Product Designer, or other similarly assigned roles.

Work Responsibilities :

Design & Concept : Guides the Product Design team in translating creative requirements from concept through execution using a unique combination of creative and analytical talents.

• Helps lead strategic thinking of CURiO creative work, ensuring design vision aligns with business objectives, brand aesthetics and costing goals.
• Assigns and manages team workflow of projects, monitoring overall capacity of product designers.
• Helps to identify and implement process improvement areas that result in simplified steps and gain efficiencies for the company.
• Organizes and condenses design feedback into digestible, actionable tasks for product designers.
• Leads design meetings as needed throughout the development process.
• Participates in the approval of prototype samples for style details, construction, safety, and usability.
• Communicates with domestic and international vendors to achieve design intent, construction, safety, and usability goals. Contributes problem-solving ideas throughout the development process.
• Mentors and coaches on varying topics such as : design approach, vendor communication, file building and general best practices.
• Collaborates with Creative Director, Product Design team and Brand to research and concept new product ideas.
• Develops mood boards for new product collections and product formats.
• Reviews creative presentations and presents concepts to internal brand team and external customers.
• Demonstrates systematic approach in designs for varying structures, materials, sizes and product types. Brand steward, keen eye for detail, refines designs across selected product assortment.
• Works closely with external vendors, helping to build strong partnerships.
• Organizes and labels incoming samples and approved counters.
• Attends weekly Design & Innovation status meetings and other meetings as needed.
• Works closely with Brand, Project Management, Engineering, R&D, Purchasing, Quality, Production, Finance, and Sales to ensure development is on track to meet project goals, design intent and timeline.
• Works closely with designers and print vendors as needed to develop structures, reviews proofs for color / detail accuracy and attends press checks as needed. Color advocate for the brand standards.
• Works closely with Project Management team and Cost Analyst on costing exercises. Contributes to product cost discussions, providing insights and ideas on how to cost engineer new developments to meet cost objectives.
• Assists and supports design team in daily tasks as needed such as : mock-ups, structure development, file construction, quotes, 3D renderings, etc.

Supervisory : Responsible for providing leadership to the team and ensuring that the team has the talent, resources, and readiness to meet team goals as well as ensuring maximum productivity and performance. Models CURiO Cornerstones and uses cornerstones framework in decision making.

General Responsibilities :

Position requires extended work hours as necessary to meet seasonal deadlines. Performs other work as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications :

Computer and / or software qualifications :

Core Competencies :

Travel Requirement : Less 5%

Hybrid Working Environment and Physical Demands :

Health & Welfare Benefits :

Eligibility begins on the first day of the month following 30 days of employment unless noted otherwise :