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.