Lead Design Manager, Resilient

Lead Design Manager, Resilient

Interface is a global flooring and sustainability leader dedicated to rethinking how spaces work for people and the planet. Our portfolio includes Interface carpet tile and LVT, nora rubber flooring, and FLOR premium area rugs. Across every brand, we innovate in a way that combines design, performance, and sustainabilitywithout compromise.

The Lead Design Manager, Resilient plays a key role in shaping the future of Interface's resilient product portfolio. This position is responsible for leading resilient design strategy and creating innovative designs and colorways that reflect deep expertise in pattern design, color theory, and market trends.

Working within a global design team, the Lead Design Manager contributes to the development of new products for both global and regional markets, guides the Senior Designer on projects and professional development, ensuring alignment with Interface values. They deliver solutions that support the New Product Development (NPD) process on time and within budget. This role is a critical connector across resilient design category management, design operations and other adjacent functions.

This role requires a forward-thinking leader who thrives in a collaborative environment, brings strong conceptual and technical skills, and is committed to advancing Interface's design leadership across all product categories. The Manager will guide efforts through concept, development, fabrication and ideation of marketing materials. During the fabrication phase, traveling to Interface vendor's manufacturing facilities overseas, along with occasional trips to other Interface manufacturing facilities, will be required. Travel to industry trade shows, customer visits, on-line customer presentations and events may also be required.

Key Responsibilities:

Design Leadership

• Serve as subject matter expert related to all MRF products to both internal and external stakeholders including sales team, nora, Global Product Design (GPD) and marketing department
• Train and educate other designers to improve the quality of their craft and have a foundational knowledge of developing resilient-based products
• Partner with nora team to ensure successful product execution by leveraging resilient technical and industry knowledge, in addition to critical trend information, and relevant color insights
• Proactively advocate alternative approaches, technologies, or partnerships critical to the expansion of Interface's resilient business and in-house design capabilities
• Stay updated on current design trends, tools, and technologies to ensure best practices in product design
• Plan and execute design workshops to gather initial concept data and critical color feedback

Product Design, Presentation and Data Management

• Create innovative new designs, constructions, and aesthetics through use and manipulation of the tools specific to the construction for products that will be manufactured and marketed globally.
• Create presentations including concepts, color ranges, digital simulations, and strategy outlines
• Collaborate with the Global Product Design Team in the development of concepts, products, presentations, and other marketing and or merchandising materials.
• Deliver inspirational presentations to Marketing, Sales Teams, and Customers upon request.
• Create production-ready, technically accurate files for Interface and its associate manufacturers globally.
• Participate in the collective keeping of a cohesive and orderly archiving system, either digital or printed, for referencing patterns, relevant constructions, production files and room scenes.
• Champion Interface core values: Design a Better Way, Be Genuine and Generous, Inspire Others, Connect the Whole, Embrace Tomorrow Today.
• Collaborate generously and enthusiastically with the Global Product Design team and other stakeholders in building a better product and work environment, communicating effectively.

Project Management

• Serve as the centralized contact between design operations and product managers to maintain project alignment, foster clear communication, and hit key milestones
• Develop and maintain design systems and best practices to ensure consistency and design excellence across all LVT products
• Facilitate purchasing of specified designs/external artwork

Category Leadership

• Develop and execute product strategies and roadmaps to support rapid growth across the marketplace
• Craft a product vision for current platforms, products, and future innovations
• Utilize industry knowledge, contacts, and expertise to drive implementation of key business strategies to meet customer needs while increasing speed-to-market
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships with global arthouses

Skills & Experience

• Minimum 10 years of professional experience in textile or surface design.
• Minimum 3 years of people leadership.
• Proficiency with design systems and strong understanding of resilient manufacturing processes.
• Advanced skills in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) Pointcarre or similar.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Demonstrate ability in creating production-ready designs and color ranges for rotogravure printing, digital printing, and embossing.
• Advanced understanding of manufacturing processes for printing, embossing, and other design disciplines.
• Knowledge of commercial product performance needs and standards.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to present ideas clearly to diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively and independently in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Exceptional attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to build and maintain strategic internal relationships.

Language Requirements

• Fluent in English with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable collaborating with colleagues and partners for whom English is a second language.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Design or related discipline.

Work Environment

• Design Studios, open-office environment and manufacturing facilities in LaGrange and Atlanta, GA to include some non-climate controlled facilities
• Extended periods of sitting (up to 8 hours).
• Frequent deadlines requiring focus and time management.
• Occasional lifting of up to 20 lbs.
• Regional and global travel up to 10%.