Product Development Assistant - West Elm

Job Description

Requisition Number: WE-16767
Area of Interest: Product Development - Design
Organization: Corporate
Brand/Division: West Elm
Position Type: Full-time
JOB DESCRIPTION
Product Development Assistant -- West Elm
Who we are:
Born in Brooklyn in 2002, West Elm is a global design company dedicated to transforming people's lives and spaces through creativity, style, and purpose. We create unique, modern and affordable home decor and curate a global selection of local, ethically-sourced and Fair-Trade Certified products, available online and in our 100+ stores worldwide.
Our home base is nestled down under the Manhattan Bridge in the DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY, right above our flagship store. We are a dynamic, fast-paced brand with an exciting growth strategy. We value imagination, diversity and giving people the opportunity to explore, grow and shape our future. We look for innovative, smart and hard-working individuals who enjoy creative thinking and ingenuity. Help us carry out our mission of being a source of inspiration to our customers, creating a global community and tirelessly seeking ways to evolve our brand.
The Product Development team drives execution of the PD process to successfully deliver West Elm products on time, which meet the design, quality and value mission. The Product Development Assistant will support the PD team in executing the product life cycle through accurate data entry, timely follow up and sample management.
The product development assistant approaches every task with a winning attitude. This person works diligently to ensure all the fine details relating to the PD process is kept up to date, orderly and accurate. They approach every interaction with a service mindset and are flexible to the changing needs of the business. The product development assistant is an expert at navigating PLM and is the main cross functional liaison for PLM maintenance. This is an independent and self-motivated person that acts as an owner and excels in a fast paced, dynamic work environment.
Essential Functions:
* PD Process Ownership- - Owns note taking and publishing recaps of weekly PD meetings. Actions PLM maintenance. Requests seasonal product information. Reviews and processes tooling fee invoices, follows up for payment status.
* Timeline Management- Owns execution of spec out and validation in PLM. Assists in the follow up with vendors on sample due dates and tracks samples. Creates and manages outlook calendar reminders for key milestones and international office closures. Maintains vendor lead time matrix
* Costing- Ensures all costs sheets are validated to the correctly negotiated cost, MCDL, convey-ability status and MOQ
* Material Research and Development- Tracks and ensures proper labeling of all PD Library swatches and samples
* Sample + Product Management- Plays a key role in the organization of samples in workrooms and around the office. Compiles and publishes sample manifest. Unpacks and assembles samples with support of design or engineering where applicable. Ensures samples are properly labeled. Executes sample requests for corporate meetings and stock withdrawals from inventory as needed.
REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS
Qualifications:
* Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook and Office, particularly Excel
* PLM experience preferred but not required
* 4+ years college education (BA/BS)
Benefits:
We offer an extensive benefits package designed to help you grow, personally and professionally, to care for your family and to build a secure future. Depending on your position and your location, here's a look at what you might be eligible for:
* Competitive benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance; tax-free spending accounts; same-sex domestic partner benefits; commuter benefits; and more
* A 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities
* Paid vacations, holidays and other time-off programs
* A generous discount on all Williams Sonoma Inc. brands through multiple shopping channels
* Cross-brand and cross-function career opportunities
* Discounts on nearby gyms and other local businesses
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
This role is not eligible for relocation assistance.
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, or other applicable state or local laws and ordinances.