Director of Design Innovation at Cavco Industries

The Director of Design Innovation is responsible for leading the strategic vision, development, and execution of Cavco’s product innovation initiatives across all markets. This role oversees the Innovation Team — including interior designers, floorplan designers, and other creative contributors — to deliver forward-thinking designs, national product platforms, and market-driven solutions that align with company growth strategies.

The Director of Design Innovation ensures that Cavco’s product offerings remain competitive, relevant, and aligned with evolving consumer preferences. This includes managing design update cycles across manufacturing plants, leading new national product development, standardizing processes, and driving cross-functional collaboration to bring innovative ideas from concept to commercialization.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Lead and manage the Innovation Team, including interior designers, floor plan designers, and related functions, fostering a culture of creativity, accountability, and results.
• Develop and execute annual innovation strategies, including measurable goals and deliverables for product development, plant design update cycles, and national product launches.
• Oversee the creation and evolution of new product lines, ensuring alignment with corporate brand positioning, market demands, and strategic growth priorities.
• Establish and manage design schedules to ensure timely and impactful product introductions across multiple regions and production facilities.
• Champion cross-functional collaboration with manufacturing, sales, marketing, and procurement teams to ensure innovation objectives align with operational capabilities and market needs.
• Standardize design processes, materials, and product components to maximize efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and scalability across the organization.
• Maintain deep awareness of residential design trends, customer preferences, and competitive product strategies to ensure Cavco remains a market leader in innovation and value.
• Guide the development of mock-ups, prototypes, and conceptual models to evaluate function, reliability, manufacturability, and customer appeal.
• Support the establishment of product identity and brand differentiation through innovative design themes, materials, and feature recommendations.
• Conduct and oversee market research to inform future product planning and identify new opportunities for innovation.
• Ensure that product innovation aligns with approved business plans, budgets, and timelines.
• Represent Cavco at trade shows, expos, and industry events to stay ahead of emerging trends and strengthen the company’s reputation as an industry innovator.
• Provide product and design insights to Sales, Manufacturing, and Marketing teams and review all related materials to ensure accuracy and alignment with innovation objectives.
• Maintain a comprehensive library of design samples, materials, and trend references to support ongoing product development.
• Perform other duties as assigned.