Department: Product (Furniture)
Location: Vancouver
Compensation: $70,000 - $80,000 / year
Description
Hi there, we're Article. 👋 Since 2013, we have been reinventing the furniture industry one sofa at a time, it's not easy — it requires solving challenging, meaningful problems. This is where you come in, as a
Product Designer (Furniture - Case Goods), you'll work on concept development for our Case Goods category, enabling the Product Design Team to deliver New Product Introductions (NPI) to drive catalog growth.
- Please note, that this is NOT a UX/UI/Software Product Design role. This person will be designing furniture.
Some things you will need to know about the role before you continue reading:
- You will be traveling a minimum of 5 times per year for at least 10 days at a time (Vietnam/China/Malaysia/Mexico/USA).
- This role needs to be based at our HQ in Vancouver.
- You'll be working daily with Solidworks, so experience with Solidworks or another 3D tool is important.
- You need to have previous experience designing furniture.
- We are a hybrid team - you'll need to be in the office 3 days per week (Tuesday, Thursday and 3rd day is your choice).
- Availability to meet in the evenings on Mondays and Wednesdays. It will be on an ad hoc basis.
Why We Need You
You will be partnering closely with our Category Management team (The team that decides what we sell) to help bring products from concept to production. Category Management will come to you with a need to expand or enhance our product assortment and you as the designer will come up with the concepts for each product.
Why Article?
As a Particle (people of Article), you will have a high level of autonomy to solve challenging, meaningful problems the best way you can. That means you're trusted to explore solutions you believe will work best (you're the expert, after all). You'll do all this while growing your skills within a company redefining the furniture industry.
About The Product Design Team
The Product Design team at Article works as a "Team". Every company says this but we really mean it. Everyone on the design team leaves their egos at the door. You will have to be comfortable operating in a team that gives each other regular unfiltered feedback on each other's designs and concepts.
This team first and unfiltered feedback allows them to work very fast together while pushing things along at the speed needed by the business. Because team collaboration is at the forefront of how the team operates, they can deliver well-thought-out concepts within days, not months.
A brief overview of how a Product is brought to life and where Product Design fits in:
The Category Management team provides product requests to the Design team, in turn, they create the product concepts. These concepts are shared with our Industrial Engineers in our Vietnam office to become technical drawings, and ultimately prototypes to be manufactured by our vendors. The Vendor prototypes are then reviewed by the Product Design team before going into production (and now you know the magic behind the scenes)
What You'll Do
- Create design concepts that embody Articles' beautiful, modern design elements.
- Translate design concepts into fully realized detailed 3D renderings and technical product specifications.
- Collaborate with the Product Design Leads and Sr. Product Design Manager in the review, assessment, and approval of new New Product Introductions (NPI).
- Course-correct projects that fall behind schedule and communicate a plan for these situations.
- Collaborate with the Product Development and Engineering, Category Management, Raw Materials, Sourcing, and QA teams to ensure the product design is meeting cost objectives and deadlines.
- Oversee daily communication with cross functional partners.
- Align with Category Management for all product reviews/selection meetings, participate in the discussions in regards to product design, function, materials, cost, and manufacturing insight.
- Understand deeply the Design DNA for the Article catalog ensuring that the 'red thread' ties into and complements the broader Product DNA across all categories.
- Interpret the functional and aesthetic needs described in product needs and propose design concepts for review and approval.
- Cultivate an understanding of costs associated with raw materials, design detail choices, vendor manufacturing capabilities, and proficiencies.
- Conduct product research to gain an understanding of industry design methods, new innovations, and construction advancements.
- You'll be traveling for Market visits, tradeshows, and factory visits to support the conceptualization of product ideas and the continuation of strong partnerships.
Who You Are
- 3+ years of experience as a Product Designer for Upholstered furniture, Product Developer or related position with at least two years working directly on furniture design - Experience in Case Goods is a strong preference.
- A background in Industrial Design is an asset.
- Previous experience designing for mass production.
- Strong design and market sense with the creative ability to understand Article's design aesthetic and recognize products that fit our brand.
- A deep passion in furniture design, modern furniture, décor and interior design.
- A clear understanding of critical path or Go-To-Market methodology with the ability to support workflow and achieve deliverables.
- Legally able to work in Canada.
- Completion of criminal background check.
- Ability to travel multiple times throughout the year and have a valid passport.
Life
Perks & Benefits:
- 15 days of vacation*
- 6 well-being (sick) days
- 1 Inclusion and Diversity Day
- Hybrid work: 3 days a week in the office
- Work remotely (anywhere in the world) for up to 3 weeks
- 4% RRSP matched contributions through Wealthsimple
Total Health
- Excellent extended health and dental benefits packages
- $1000 health/lifestyle spending account* for your total physical and mental well-being
- TELUS Health App
- Mental Health Assistance/Counseling
- Virtual medical appointments
Office Space
- The Article HQ is a converted warehouse, with an open accessible layout and no offices (even for our founders)
- Work from your desk, an Article sofa, collaboration spaces, or a private meeting room
- Standup desks can be requested too
- Our kitchens are stocked with salty, sweet and healthy snacks, & all the premium coffees and teas to keep you buzzing
- Onsite fitness equipment with showers and towel service
- A dog-friendly office - well-socialized pups are welcome
Getting Here
- Free street parking (first come, first serve; no reserved spots for senior leaders)
- Indoor secure bike storage with change rooms and showers
- 20-minute walk to either Main Street- Science World or VCC Clark Skytrain stations
Extra
- 45% discount on our entire product range (15% for friends and family)
The expected salary is $70,000 to $80,000. The actual base pay can increase beyond this range and will be based on various factors, including transferable skills, training and certifications, work experience, business needs, and market demands.
Criminal Background Checks
Having a criminal record does not restrict your employment at Article. Criminal background checks are only conducted with your permission and after a conditional employment offer has been accepted.
The decision if a criminal record will restrict your employment will be done on a case by case decision, where we conduct an "individualized assessment"—a reasoned, evidence-based determination as to whether the applicant's past conviction has a direct and adverse relationship with the specific job duties of the position.
Work Authorization
Unless otherwise stated, all open roles require legal authorization to work in the location where the job is based, without requiring VISA sponsorship.
For US based roles, Article participates in E-Verify
Equal Opportunity Statement
At Article, we value and respect individuals for their different talents, skills, abilities, and unique contributions. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs, and not on race, ethnic origin, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, disability, genetic characteristics, personal beliefs, or any other classification protected by federal, state, provincial, and local laws and ordinances.
Accommodations
If an applicant requires an accommodation due to a disability or any other protected characteristic feel free to email ta.accommodation@article.com or let the hiring team know at any stage of the recruitment process.
This email will only respond to accommodations, all non-related emails will be deleted.
Artificial Intelligence In Hiring
All applications are carefully reviewed by humans. We do not use artificial intelligence or ranking algorithms in our hiring decisions.
