Utility Bedding Designer-PD

Role requires 3-4 days in NYC office

The Designer is a hybrid design and product development role responsible for creating, specifying, and executing utility and basic home products from initial concept through approved production. Assigned categories include, but are not limited to, bed pillows, basic comforters, mattress pads, mattress toppers, window products, and solid or basic decorative pillows. Unlike a fashion-bedding design role, this position is centered on product performance, construction, value, accuracy, and market relevance. The Basics Designer combines sound design judgment with strong technical specifications, direct vendor follow-up, disciplined project management, and exceptional attention to detail.

Responsibilities:

• Own the design and development of assigned utility and basic product categories, including bed pillows, basic comforters, mattress pads, mattress toppers, window products, and solid or basic decorative pillows.
• Translate customer needs, brand positioning, price targets, competitive research, performance requirements, and business goals into commercially relevant product concepts and assortments.
• Maintain current awareness of the basics and utility market, including construction, materials, fills, finishes, features, packaging, price architecture, consumer preferences, and emerging functional or aesthetic trends.
• Develop products with an emphasis on function, quality, value, comfort, construction, and clear points of difference rather than fashion-driven print and pattern direction.
• Create complete and accurate product specifications and tech packs, including dimensions, materials, fill type and weight, fabric construction, components, trims, sewing details, quilting or channel construction, performance requirements, labeling, packaging direction, and testing needs as applicable.
• Review specifications for consistency, completeness, feasibility, and alignment with approved product intent before release to vendors or Product Development.
• Maintain accurate product, specification, color, sample, costing, approval, and milestone information in PLM and other company systems throughout the development cycle.
• Maintain organized digital files, specifications, correspondence, approvals, and sample records using established naming, version-control, safe-file-sharing, and archive procedures.
• Communicate directly and professionally with domestic and international vendors regarding specifications, development questions, sample requests, revisions, testing, costing inputs, packaging needs, approvals, and timing.
• Provide clear written comments and annotated specifications; follow up consistently on open items and resolve routine development questions within assigned authority.
• Escalate material changes to product intent, cost, quality, construction, compliance, or timing to the appropriate design leader and cross-functional partners before authorizing action.
• Track sample status and development milestones from initiation through approval, maintaining organized records and communicating risks, delays, or missing information before deadlines are affected.
• Review prototypes, samples, lab dips, materials, trims, packaging, test information, and production submissions against specifications and approved standards; document discrepancies and required corrections precisely.
• Partner closely with Product Development, Design Operations, Sourcing, Quality, Compliance, Packaging, Merchandising, Sales, and other teams to balance product intent, performance, cost, timing, and manufacturability.
• Support customer and internal presentations with clear product stories, feature and benefit information, technical details, competitive comparisons, samples, and accurate supporting materials.
• Follow company requirements related to product safety, testing, labeling, quality, confidentiality, copyright, trademark, vendor communication, artwork releases, and data security.

Required Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Product Design, Textile Design, Product Development, Home Fashions, Apparel, Industrial Design, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Three to five years of experience designing and developing utility, basics, bedding, filled products, window, soft home, or related consumer products.
• Demonstrated ability to combine product design with hands-on development ownership, including specification creation, vendor communication, sample review, and project follow-up.
• Strong technical understanding of product construction, fabrics, fills, components, measurements, tolerances, workmanship, packaging, and production-ready documentation relevant to assigned categories.
• Exceptional attention to detail and a conscientious, methodical approach to specifications, approvals, system data, sample review, and follow-through.
• Ability to identify discrepancies between specifications, samples, vendor submissions, and approved product intent and communicate exact corrections clearly.
• Knowledge of the utility and basics market, competitive landscape, consumer expectations, product features, materials, price points, and relevant trends.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office; working knowledge of PLM, digital asset management, SharePoint, Google Workspace, and other product-development systems.
• Strong project management, organization, prioritization, problem-solving, and deadline-management skills across multiple products and vendors.
• Excellent written, verbal, and cross-functional communication skills, including the ability to work directly with domestic and international vendors, handle confidential information appropriately, and communicate in written and spoken English.
• Ability to balance design intent, technical feasibility, quality, cost, compliance, and timing and to escalate issues requiring broader business decisions.
• Ability to travel domestically or internationally as needed.
• Experience with filled products, utility bedding, mattress protection, basic window programs, product testing, compliance, costing, private-label development, value engineering, or good, better, and best product tiers is preferred.