What are the responsibilities and job description for the Design Lab Manager position at HNI Workplace Furnishings?
HNI Corporation is a global family of brands for the workplace and home dedicated to enhancing the spaces where we live, work, and gather. We pride ourselves on fostering an environment where we make a positive impact on others, upholding our beliefs in integrity, inclusion and belonging.
Your Impact Starts the Day You Do!
What We Need:
We are looking for a Design Lab Manager to join our HNI Workplace Furnishings team.
The Design Lab Manager is responsible for the successful and ongoing activation of the Design Lab through operations management, being a product resource, assisting with material selection and workspace design, providing tours and presentations, delivering on branded customer and influencer engagements, and driving successful sales engagements. This role is also responsible for the coordination and execution of first-in-class events in the Design Lab, including training experiences and branded events. Ownership of operational excellence with events and day to day needs.
What You Will Do:
- Represent the strategic brand identity, welcome guests, curate the Allsteel brand experience, drive increased traffic, and promote utilization of the facility.
- Work closely with the sales team to drive new opportunities into the Design Lab, identify A&D and dealer relationships to pursue and grow, support sales growth, and contribute to winning sales opportunities.
- Provide design insights to help the sales team with customer needs.
- Partner with regional sales managers to develop custom marketing and event plans to increase customer engagement.
- Provide extensive knowledge of Allsteel, Gunlocke, and Partnership Brand products to customers
- Provide knowledgeable showroom tours and product demonstrations to support customer engagement.
- Maintain working relationships with the sales teams, local dealer sales representatives, and influencers.
- Drive strategic direction of the Design Lab operations and brand experiences.
- Seek continuous improvement of Standard Operating Procedures to optimize the space for customers, dealers, influencers, and sales members.
- Develop, organize, and host a welcoming and engaging learning and brand experience to existing and potential new customers using creative and local event planning, managing events in entirety.
- Manage onsite literature and product sample libraries and sample chair program for the HON brand.
- Help coordinate on-site contractor needs and provide facility access accordingly.
- Oversee and execute product installers and Field Service Engineers for product installations. Partner with Design, Customer Support, Product Management, Engineering, and Manufacturing to actively manage location product quality. Manage punch lists to timely completion.
- Responsible for resetting the Lab, restocking supplies, ensuring all areas (including back-of-house) area are well-kept, and assist with technology needs.
- Drive social media presence creating continuous storytelling and brand awareness.
- Ensure visit/event materials and content are aligned with specified brand.
- Apply proactive troubleshooting and problem-solving skills for any emerging issues before or during the visit/event.
- Manage the visits/ event budget to include tracking, processing of invoices, dispute resolution, and overall awareness.
- Gather feedback to evaluate the success of the event/visit and make appropriate recommendations for improvement as needed.
- Prepare insightful and accurate reporting and PowerPoint presentations to stakeholders.
- Participate in activities as appropriate to ensure the success of the organization.
What You Have:
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Interior Design, Business Administration, or related field required.
- At least 1 year of event management or relevant experience is required; 3 years of experience preferred.
