NOABRANDS is hiring : Design Director in Westminster

Description

NOA Brands is a global leader in the design and manufacturing of mannequins, fixtures, props, and retail display solutions. Our mission is to elevate the retail experience through world-class design, innovation, and craftsmanship. We partner with some of the world’s most iconic brands to deliver custom, high-impact visual merchandising experiences that move the market forward.

What You Will Do

Team Leadership and Creative Operations

Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary design team including industrial designers, digital artists, clay sculptors, pattern makers, workshop craftspeople, and 3D print and scanning specialists

Provide clear direction while empowering the team to deliver creative, high-quality solutions that align with customer goals, manufacturing realities, and project budgets

Review and manage team schedules weekly to ensure shifting priorities, urgent client requests, and in-store dates are met without compromising quality

Foster a collaborative, high-performance team culture focused on continuous improvement, craftsmanship, and innovation

Build and maintain design workflows, standards, and KPIs to drive faster and more consistent output while optimizing resources

Design Leadership and Product Development

Collaborate with the Visual Communications & Art Director and VP of Sales, Creative, & Marketing to create trend-forward seasonal collections and brand-specific concepts

Lead hands-on design and development for new customer requests including bases, fixtures, custom props, and visual merchandising innovations

Ensure all products are designed for manufacturability within current in-house capabilities and global facilities, considering tolerances, safety, materials, finishes, and cost

Oversee the creation of comprehensive design packages for manufacturing partners in multiple regions, including China and Mexico. Packages must include technical drawings, paint and finish recipes, assembly and process documentation, and gold standard references

Champion innovation in materials, finishes, and sustainable solutions by working closely with the Innovation and Sustainability Manager to set priorities and evaluate new ideas

Identify and recommend new material suppliers, vendors, and fabrication processes as needed for complex or custom projects

Collaborate with Purchasing to qualify vendors for prototyping and production, ensuring quality, capability, and compliance

Establish internal design standards for bases, finishes, fittings, and hardware to streamline development and drive long-term cost savings

Recommend capital investments in tools, software, and equipment to maintain the company’s leadership in design, prototyping, and innovation

Partner with the Art Director to create customer education tools and materials that explain how to use and care for our products, including setup, garment changes, fittings, and communication best practices

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner closely with Sales, Operations, Engineering, Project Management, and Finance to align project goals with execution realities

Serve as the design team's advocate and decision-maker in cross-functional meetings to ensure deliverables meet internal and client expectations

Anticipate challenges and collaborate across teams to resolve budget, timeline, or technical issues before they affect delivery

Project Communication and Alignment

Develop weekly slides as part of the Sales & Operations deck to communicate project progression, risks, schedule shifts, and upcoming resource needs

Drive accountability across functions by clearly flagging urgent client requests, compressed lead times, or scope changes that require collaborative problem-solving

Support project managers and sales teams in escalating or addressing high-risk projects to keep delivery on track and clients informed

Requirements

What It Takes to Succeed

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, or a related field; equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered

Minimum 10 years of experience in design, with at least 5 years in a leadership or senior role managing multidisciplinary creative teams

Demonstrated expertise in product or industrial design for manufactured goods, including experience working directly with overseas manufacturing partners

Strong working knowledge of materials, finishes, manufacturing tolerances, prototyping techniques, and safety standards

Proven ability to create and implement design processes, technical documentation, and performance reporting tools

Hands-on experience developing physical products collaboratively with a team and reviewing design quality in person

Excellent leadership, collaboration, and communication skills with the ability to bridge creative and operational teams

Strong understanding of brand aesthetics, retail merchandising, and customer experience in a visual environment

Passion for mentoring, process improvement, innovation, and design excellence

What’s In It For You

A leadership role in one of the industry’s most hands-on, fast paced, and forward-thinking product design environments

The opportunity to work directly with global brands and influence the future of visual merchandising and in-store experiences

A collaborative, innovative culture that values both artistry and execution

Competitive compensation and benefits

Please submit your resume and portfolio (required), showcasing your experience in product or industrial design, including work that has been successfully manufactured and delivered to market.

Job Details

Job Type : Full-time, Exempt

Location : On-site, Westminster, Colorado

Relocation assistance is not available

Reports To : Vice President of Sales, Creative, & Marketing

Salary : $100-120K annually DOE

Benefits Offered : Medical / Dental / Vision Insurance; 401(k) with Company Match; 12-week Paid Parental Leave; PTO and 10 Paid Holidays; Dog Friendly Workplace; and other personalized benefits

In accordance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, the approximate annual base compensation range is listed above. The actual offer, reflecting the total compensation package and benefits, will be determined by several factors including the applicant's experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity among our team.

As part of our ‘For Every Body’ core pillar, NOA Brands provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Salary Description : 100-120K annually, DOE

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