Designer (On-Site in Minneapolis, MN or Kansas City, MO)

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

As a Designer at Dan Dee International, LLC, you will work within a team of designers to bring big ideas to life and tell stories that resonate with the consumer. You will use both freehand and digital artistic skills to create designs that are supported by trends and consumer research. You will be responsible for articulating your creative process and vision to the larger team. This is an opportunity to have a big impact on a growing brand. As a designer you will obsess over understanding trends, consumer lifestyles, and retail markets.

Someone who is adaptable through change. A curious mind that is willing to push outside the status quo. A talented artist that can render products and elevate brands to their full potential. A kind human with a soft spot for soft toys and decor.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Create soft-good products for Dan Dee’s collections of children’s plush toys and/or decor
• Act as the internal creative lead for key account custom projects/programs
• Contribute to productive discovery meetings, collaborating with sales teams to develop product solutions
• Design within project and brand specific creative direction, aesthetic values and stated marketing strategies
• Design for age appropriateness and retail pricing goals
• Ensure designs meet quality and safety standards
• Create and communicate technical product to international and domestic suppliers
• Maintain work-in-progress files
• Manage traffic of multiple projects of varying complexity
• Ensure all projects are completed on time
• Identify and design to white space opportunities
• Collaborate with colleagues to build and present the business case for product innovation ideas
• Gather & synthesize market, trend, and consumer insights
• Contribute to cross-functional team brainstorms
• Communicate and coordinate with multiple teams and departments to achieve innovation, trend focused, and salable product
• Collaborate with cross-functional team members throughout the design process
• Promote a team atmosphere within the design area and among other cross-functional areas of the company
• Oversee the work of other entry-level designers as requested
• Performs other duties as required

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Design, Fine Arts, Product Development or similar field
• MUST have 4+ years of Product experience, 1+ years working with plush or decor preferred
• Strong Sketching, free hand illustration, artistic skills and character styling a must
• 5-10 years experience in plush product design with non-licensed companies such as Just Play, Aurora, Squishmallow, Freeland, etc.
• Knowledge of overseas mass production a plus
• A strong eye for aesthetic; demonstrates ability to recognize trends, understand the consumer and act as a design visionary
• Proven creative problem solver with the ability to efficiently manage multiple product design & development projects at a time
• Intense curiosity and passion to explore new formats, techniques and approaches to product development and brand aesthetics
• Experience presenting creative direction and design concepts to clients and team members in a compelling and energetic way
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines
• Proficient with Adobe Creative Suite, especially Photoshop and Illustrator and Microsoft Office

PREFERRED SKILLS

• Portfolio must be provided to view.

ABILITY TO COMMUTE

• This job is onsite. However, there may be some days with flexibility to work from home
• Travel may be required up to 25%

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• What is your salary requirement(required)?
• Please include portfolio/presentation/sample of work with Resume(required)
• Please design a “Core Plush” and submit with your resume to showcase your talent.

Education:

• Bachelor’s (Required)

Experience:

• Design experience for Plush Toys or Decor items: 4 years (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Kansas City, MO 64108