Fashion Designer jobs in Bismarck, ND

COMPANY:
Mercana is one of North America’s leading home furnishings wholesalers, with interior designer and retail partners around the globe. As a “design-first” company, we produce unique pieces for the home each season including items such as wall art, furniture, lighting, and home decor accessories. 

SUMMARY: 
You will be responsible for conceptualizing, designing, and developing beautiful furniture and home decor products that align with trends, market standards, customer preferences, and manufacturing capabilities, working closely with our overseas development team and manufacturing partners.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

R&D
•    Be trendy. Stay updated on industry trends, follow designers and trend setters, design shows, manufacturers, know the competition and window shop.
•    Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand market trends, consumer preferences, and product requirements to create new proprietary designs and drive continuous product improvement.
•    Create design and style boards, conceptualize and sketch initial design ideas, considering factors such as style, functionality, manufacturing, and cost-effectiveness.

Drawings and Product Documentation
•    Create detailed production drawings and product specifications. 
•    Maintain accurate documentation of each design feature, technical specifications, revisions, support material and project timelines.

Product Development
•    Submit, review and approve samples, making adjustments as necessary to meet design specifications and quality standards.
•    Know and implement Mercana product and quality standards.
•    Oversee prototyping and testing to ensure design accuracy, product durability, safety, and compliance with quality standards. 
•    Work closely with overseas manufacturing partners to facilitate the production process, providing clear instructions and resolving design-related issues.
•    Support QC team with product information and technical solutions to day-to-day production challenges.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
•    Timely delivery of design concepts and specifications for new products.
•    Percentage of designs successfully translated into manufacturing-ready prototypes.
•    Quality and effectiveness of finished products, as measured by customer satisfaction and commercial success.
•    Cost-effectiveness of designs, demonstrated through adherence to budgetary constraints and manufacturing efficiencies.
•    Collaboration and communication effectiveness with internal teams and overseas partners.
•    Innovation and creativity in design solutions, as evidenced by the introduction of new product lines or features.

QUALIFICATIONS:
•    Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design, Furniture Design, Interior Design or related field.
•    Proven experience in furniture design, preferably within a wholesale or manufacturing environment.
•    Proficiency in CAD software, such as Rhinoceros, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, SketchUp, etc.
•    Strong understanding of furniture manufacturing processes, materials, and construction techniques.
•    Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with cross-functional teams and international partners.
•    Demonstrated ability to multitask, prioritize deadlines, and adapt to changing project requirements.
•    Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to resolving design challenges.