Product Design Manager - Craft Division

Job Summary:

This role bridges creative vision with technical execution, ensuring that every product embodies craftsmanship excellence and contemporary refinement. Beyond design delivery, this manager plays a mentorship role — guiding in-house designers and artisans to strengthen their creative and technical understanding. The ideal candidate combines artistic sensibility, design process discipline, and a passion for uplifting emerging talent.

Main Responsibilities:

Design Direction & Development

• Translate creative briefs into product concepts, sketches, and prototypes.
• Lead design development from ideation through sampling, ensuring consistency with brand standards.
• Collaborate with Production Directors to assess feasibility, tooling, and artisan capabilities.

Team Leadership & Skill Development

• Train and mentor junior designers and artisans on design process, specification standards, and creative thinking.
• Establish repeatable workflows and documentation for design review, approvals, and sampling.
• Encourage design literacy and ownership among local creative staff.

Cross-Department Collaboration

• Work closely with the Creative Lead, Production Directors, and Supply Chain to align product direction with brand and operational goals. Support product packaging, color/material standardization, and quality reviews.

Main Requirements:

• 5–7 years of product design or creative development experience within the craft, home décor, or luxury sector.
• Proven experience mentoring design teams or artisans.
• Deep respect for cultural heritage with ability to modernize design for global markets.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Success Indicators (First 90 Days)
• Active mentorship plan in place for design and artisan teams.
• Clear design review and sample approval process established.
• First wave of new craft prototypes delivered on time and aligned with brand direction.