Designer

THIS POSITION IS LOCATED IN WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA. There is no relocation or sponsorship available for this role.

Job Description

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

• Translate customer vision and design intent into production-ready interior surface concepts.
• Develop and evaluate interior color harmony, material appearance, gloss, texture, grain, print, pattern, haptics and perceived quality.
• Balance aesthetics with feasibility, cost, timing, durability, manufacturing capability and customer requirements.
• Identify customer and market design needs.
• Deliver internal and external design presentations.
• Develop feasible grains, colors, prints and combinations, securing customer approvals and PLC documentation.
• Support design development and releases for customer programs.

Strategy Design Americas

• Build and expand trusted working relationships with American / North American customers, CMF, innovation groups and advanced engineering organizations.
• Monitor competitive design technologies and activities together with Sales.
• Provide design and plant support for Winchester.

Design and Project Management

• Coordinate sample creation, color matching, appearance reviews, supplier trials, production evaluations and corrective actions.
• Partner cross-functionally with Creative Design, Engineering, Program Management, Sales, Manufacturing, Quality and external suppliers.
• Initiate and/or monitor trial batches through the internal process.
• Track color and grain developments through the internal development process.
• Track internal design projects.

Customer Projects

• Present design recommendations clearly and document customer feedback, decisions, actions, owners and next steps.
• Attend color, print and texture evaluations at suppliers, production locations and customer sites.
• Support escalation management within the Americas Design department.

Collaboration

• Advise BA SSL stakeholders and departments involved in the Product Life Cycle that influence design-related product and production properties, including feasibility and business impact.
• Build and expand collaboration between SSL and relevant customer departments, with a focus on acquiring new projects.

Reporting

• Report within defined cycles and systems, including 1:1 meetings, dashboards and action lists.
• Communicate status updates and projected timelines to customers.
• Provide recommendations to affected internal departments based on customer feedback.
• Report and document customer approval status, including ISAR, roller transfer to serial status and master creation.

Design Support

• Collect necessary input from customers.
• Present color submissions and grain developments to customers.
• Build and expand collaboration between SSL Design and relevant customer departments.
• Support the Program Management team in acquiring new projects.
• Prepare and deliver internal presentations.

Teamwork

• Act as a member of a Program Management team.
• Own surface design development for assigned customers.
• Collaborate with all parties and departments involved in the PLC process.
• Collaborate with Creative Design, Automotive Design, and DTS SSL.

Trend and Market Research

• Monitor, gather and analyze American market activity, especially competitor colors, textures, prints and materials.
• Identify American market design and color trends.
• Analyze SSL and competitor color and trim portfolios, including color, grain, print, structure, surface characteristics and haptics.

Other Responsibilities

• Travel to suppliers, trade fairs / trade shows and customer locations.
• Prepare reports, presentations and updates from customers, shows and events.
• Prepare design presentations.
• Present SSL product portfolio samples and design presentations.

THE ENVIRONMENT

• Safety is our highest priority and safety procedures and guidelines must always be adhered to. Applicants must be able to work in a manufacturing industrial environment and be able to wear personal protective equipment such as safety boots, safety glasses, hearing protection, etc.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE ROLE

• Bachelor's Degree in Related Field

ADDITIONAL WAYS TO STAND OUT

• Degree in Design
• 3 years of experience
• Adobe Suite experience
• Previous experience in production and product management

THE PERKS

• Competitive Pay
• Immediate Benefits
• Paid Time Off
• Employee Discounts, including tire discounts
• Competitive Bonus Program
• Employer 401(k) Match
• On-Site Gym
• And more benefits that come with working for a global industry leader!

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.