Merchandise Design Lead

📋 Description

• Supervise the design and development of intricate, multi-product campaigns, ensuring excellence in creativity and alignment with the brand

• Review high-level designs, offering clear, constructive feedback that balances client vision with manufacturing feasibility

• Foster innovation by recognizing emerging trends and translating them into actionable design directions for the team

• Collaborate with the Design Manager to guide team resourcing, tool requirements, and upcoming creative priorities based on campaign pipelines and product strategies

• Mentor and cultivate the design team through guidance, constructive feedback, and partnership with the Design Manager on performance and growth planning

• Implement and oversee quality control processes to ensure compliance with client, brand, and manufacturing standards

• Continuously assess and enhance workflows to boost efficiency, decrease turnaround time, and enhance collaboration across departments

• Ensure the team's production files consistently meet accuracy, cost, and manufacturing readiness standards

• Coordinate with Production, Sales, and Marketing to align design output with campaign objectives and company strategy

• Clearly communicate and present design strategies, trade-offs, and rationale to internal stakeholders and clients for alignment and minimal revisions

• Maintain strong partnerships with manufacturing partners, balancing innovation with production feasibility

• Manage multiple simultaneous projects, ensuring timely delivery within scope

• Monitor project progress and proactively address risks or obstacles in collaboration with the Design Manager

• Lead departmental initiatives that promote innovation, enhance tools/processes, and elevate design quality organization-wide

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as needed

⛳️ Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in product or merchandise design with physical goods (e.g. plush, toys, apparel, collectibles)

• 3-5 years of experience mentoring or leading other designers, providing feedback, and guiding creative development

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in Art, Design, Industrial Design, or a related field

• Strong understanding of product design principles and manufacturing processes for consumer merchandise

• Proficient in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and production file standards

• Solid grasp of how design contributes to brand strategy, business goals, and cost efficiency

• Experience collaborating with manufacturing or production partners

• Ability to manage multiple projects, balance creative and operational priorities, and deliver high-quality results on time

🏝️ Benefits

• Remote work options across Canada and/or access to our hubs

• Health and dental benefits from day one

• 4 weeks of paid vacation (including birthday time off) and an additional week during the holidays

• Virtual & In-Person Social Events

• Annual Paid Volunteer Day Off

• 1:1 RRSP Matching Program Up to 3%

• $500 Pre-Tax Annual Health & Wellness Allowance

• $400 Pre-Tax Home Office Setup Allowance

• $65 Pre-Tax Monthly Phone Allowance

• Maternity and Parental Leave Top-Up Program

• Education Assistance Program

• Employee Referral Program

• Tenured Rewards Program