Manager, Design Studio, Kitchens

Work Mode: Hybrid

Opportunity

Develop and manage a world-class design team that continually sets new standards for style, function, and innovation in North America Retail Kitchen Fixtures and Housewares. Your expertise will guide the design process from conceptualization to production, ensuring our offerings meet the highest standards and market appeal with an eye toward efficiency. While working collaboratively with the new product development team, challenge convention when it comes to process, ideas, and materials with motivation toward advancing the position of Kohler Co. as it competes in the industry. Partner in the development of business strategies, product strategies, consumer research, and human factors opportunities.

Specific Responsibilities

•Lead new product development concept development, support new product strategy planning; coordinate new product development strategy with cross-functional partners.

•Assign and manage design resources; recruit, manage, and develop design resources; participate in product category management with category business teams to deliver business results.

•Lead design teams on large, complex projects; coordinate design activities with outside industrial consultants; develop relationships and contracts with vendors and design consultants.

•Lead design projects from concept generation through implementation; analyze consumers’ requirements, including functional aspects of design aesthetic need and business and cost objectives.

•Provide design and technical guidance to team and junior Industrial Designers; analyze customer and competitor product offerings including product design trends in both the U.S. and in foreign market.

•Design innovative products to ensure functional aspects are consistent along with aesthetic needs and cost objectives of customers.

•Prepare sketches, detailed drawings, and design intent documentation; modify and refine designs using working models.\

•Utilize experience in product design and user experience design processes to improve interactions between end-users and company products/services and to analyze consumer requirements for new product development.

•Review product samples for aesthetic approval.

•Application of human factors and ergonomics to develop products that are safe and reliable for use; graphic design, visual presentation, Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office software to create visual material in order to present ideas, concepts and research results; manufacturing design processing, including 3D printed models, CAD generation, file export, and 3D printing for injection molded plastics, ceramic and metal casting; 3D CAD modeling (such as Rhino, Solidworks, Alias or Creo); and, computer rendering to generate photo realistic concepts using software (such as Keyshot).

Skills/Requirements

•Bachelor’s degree in industrial design from an accredited university or other appropriate field i.e. Graphics, Ceramics, Furniture.

•Relevant Continuing Education; Masters in ID, Project Management, or Business ideal.

•Must have previous experience proactively teaching/coaching less experienced designers in quality techniques and tools of design.

•Must have experience working in kitchen and bath industry.

Travel

Up to 15% travel to the US and globally.

We will consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this opportunity.

The salary range for this position is $122,750 - $156,850. The specific salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate’s experience, their education, and the work location. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision & 401k.

Why Choose Kohler?

We empower each associate to #BecomeMoreAtKohler with a competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing, access to career growth and development opportunities, a diverse and inclusive workplace, and a strong culture of innovation. With more than 30,000 bold leaders across the globe, we’re driving meaningful change in our mission to help people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives.

About Us

It is Kohler’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contactkohlerjobs@kohler.com. Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.