Design & Development Manager, Textiles

CB2 is transforming the perception of home design for today's modern consumer. Born out of Crate and Barrel, CB2 is committed to high-quality, sophisticated design at an approachable price. Located in downtown Chicago, CB2 offers an engaging, collaborative work environment. If you're creative, team spirited and have a passion for modern design, then join the team as a Design & Development Manager, Textiles.

The Design and Development Manager, Textiles builds the future vision of CB2 through innovative product design, development and sourcing for the Textiles category. This position will execute to support brand strategies in terms of line design, plans and sku count growth, with a focus on profitability, quality and design excellence.

This is a hybrid position that currently works 4 days per week in the Chicago corporate office.

A day in the life as a Design & Development Manager, Textiles…

• Work closely with the Director of Design & Development on the design and execution of unique and innovative product concepts for the Textiles category
• Manage the Textile design development process throughout its lifecycle, under the leadership of the Director
• Develop Textile designs through detailed design and creative briefs with 3rd party designers, including design review, approving final line drawings for sampling, and specifying material and finish specifications with manufacturing partners
• Lead the Textile design development of product lines into well positioned price points, contributing to successful business growth as a specialist for your specific product categories
• Executes and advise on vendor strategies utilizing a vendor matrix to support Product Development and Buying strategies (including vendor allocation)
• Negotiates favorable first costs based on imu targets provided by Merchant team and effectively ensures design and materials are aligned to either first cost target or makes adjustments based on design and material direction
• Lead the set-up of design, product and assortment review presentations for the Textile categories in partnership with key members across merchandising for style-outs
• Collaborate with, lead and foster the talent of an associate and fellow Design & Development peers
• May manage professionals and is responsible for the overall direction, coordination and evaluation of these associates
• Travel internationally for design inspiration, as well as product development reviews and to explore new sourcing opportunities in markets with vendor partners
• Responsible for identifying and tracking vendor capabilities and performance management, including:
• Innovation in design and production (materials and techniques)
• Value - Cost and quality
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Assess and analyze vendor capacities and partner with planning teams to utilize projections and forecasts
• Responsible for interviewing, recruiting and training associates; planning, assigning, and directing work, as well as appraising performance
  

What You’ll Bring To The Table…

• Passion for Textile design, knowledge of trends and committed to quality
• Ability to interact and collaborate with executives and/or vendors/partners with experience negotiating and influencing
• In-depth knowledge of Textile designs, business strategies, business priorities and design, raw materials and production processes
• Participates with other senior leaders to establish strategic plans and objectives
• Ability to make decisions on operational matters that impact the effectiveness of the team
• Ability to translate business and design objectives into strategic creative plans for team/function
  
  

We’d love to hear from you if you have…

• Must provide Portfolio link (including password) on resume or link to PDF samples
• 5 years experience as a Textile Designer or Merchant
• 2 years experience sourcing/product development/design in home or fashion industry
• Bachelors degree
• Experience managing a team with strong communication and leadership skills
• Experience with Textile design and product development
• Comfortable leading conversations about the technical aspects of product development and manufacturing
• Experience working in Excel and Google Sheets