Hybrid Design Director presso NOA Brands America LLC

Description

 NOA Brands is a global leader in the design and manufacturing of mannequins, fixtures, props, and retail display solutions. Our mission is to elevate the retail experience through world-class design, innovation, and craftsmanship. We partner with some of the world’s most iconic brands to deliver custom, high-impact visual merchandising experiences that move the market forward.

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly creative, technically skilled, and operationally focused Design Director to lead our multidisciplinary design team. This role requires full-time, on-site presence to ensure hands-on engagement with physical product, seamless collaboration across departments, and meticulous attention to detail. This position balances two key responsibilities: day-to-day tactical management of the creative team, and strategic leadership of design efforts that directly impact manufacturability, cost-efficiency, and innovation. The ideal candidate brings a strong background in industrial or product design with a deep understanding of manufacturing processes and a track record of working with global production partners. This person will build internal design standards, improve creative workflows, and lead customer-facing initiatives while partnering across departments to ensure business, design, and client needs are fully aligned.

What You Will Do

Team Leadership and Creative Operations

• Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary design team including industrial designers, digital artists, clay sculptors, pattern makers, workshop craftspeople, and 3D print and scanning specialists
• Provide clear direction while empowering the team to deliver creative, high-quality solutions that align with customer goals, manufacturing realities, and project budgets
• Review and manage team schedules weekly to ensure shifting priorities, urgent client requests, and in-store dates are met without compromising quality
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance team culture focused on continuous improvement, craftsmanship, and innovation
• Build and maintain design workflows, standards, and KPIs to drive faster and more consistent output while optimizing resources

Design Leadership and Product Development

• Collaborate with the Visual Communications & Art Director and VP of Sales, Creative, & Marketing to create trend-forward seasonal collections and brand-specific concepts
• Lead hands-on design and development for new customer requests including bases, fixtures, custom props, and visual merchandising innovations
• Ensure all products are designed for manufacturability within current in-house capabilities and global facilities, considering tolerances, safety, materials, finishes, and cost
• Oversee the creation of comprehensive design packages for manufacturing partners in multiple regions, including China and Mexico. Packages must include technical drawings, paint and finish recipes, assembly and process documentation, and gold standard references
• Champion innovation in materials, finishes, and sustainable solutions by working closely with the Innovation and Sustainability Manager to set priorities and evaluate new ideas
• Identify and recommend new material suppliers, vendors, and fabrication processes as needed for complex or custom projects
• Collaborate with Purchasing to qualify vendors for prototyping and production, ensuring quality, capability, and compliance
• Establish internal design standards for bases, finishes, fittings, and hardware to streamline development and drive long-term cost savings
• Recommend capital investments in tools, software, and equipment to maintain the company’s leadership in design, prototyping, and innovation
• Partner with the Art Director to create customer education tools and materials that explain how to use and care for our products, including setup, garment changes, fittings, and communication best practices

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Sales, Operations, Engineering, Project Management, and Finance to align project goals with execution realities
• Serve as the design team's advocate and decision-maker in cross-functional meetings to ensure deliverables meet internal and client expectations
• Anticipate challenges and collaborate across teams to resolve budget, timeline, or technical issues before they affect delivery

Project Communication and Alignment

• Develop weekly slides as part of the Sales & Operations deck to communicate project progression, risks, schedule shifts, and upcoming resource needs
• Drive accountability across functions by clearly flagging urgent client requests, compressed lead times, or scope changes that require collaborative problem-solving
• Support project managers and sales teams in escalating or addressing high-risk projects to keep delivery on track and clients informed

Requirements

   What It Takes to Succeed

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, or a related field; equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in design, with at least 5 years in a leadership or senior role managing multidisciplinary creative teams
• Demonstrated expertise in product or industrial design for manufactured goods, including experience working directly with overseas manufacturing partners
• Strong working knowledge of materials, finishes, manufacturing tolerances, prototyping techniques, and safety standards
• Proven ability to create and implement design processes, technical documentation, and performance reporting tools
• Hands-on experience developing physical products collaboratively with a team and reviewing design quality in person
• Excellent leadership, collaboration, and communication skills with the ability to bridge creative and operational teams
• Strong understanding of brand aesthetics, retail merchandising, and customer experience in a visual environment
• Passion for mentoring, process improvement, innovation, and design excellence

What’s In It For You

• A leadership role in one of the industry’s most hands-on, fast paced, and forward-thinking product design environments
• The opportunity to work directly with global brands and influence the future of visual merchandising and in-store experiences
• A collaborative, innovative culture that values both artistry and execution
• Competitive compensation and benefits

Please submit your resume and portfolio (required), showcasing your experience in product or industrial design, including work that has been successfully manufactured and delivered to market.

Job Type: 

• Full-time, Exempt

Location:

• On-site, Westminster, Colorado
• Relocation assistance is not available for this position

Reports To: 

• Vice President of Sales, Creative, & Marketing

Salary: 

• $100-120K annually DOE

Benefits Offered:

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Various Personalized Benefits (i.e., accident, critical illness, life insurance buy-up, pet insurance, etc.)
• Company Paid Insurance (Short and Long-term Disability, Basic Life and Basic AD&D Insurance)
• 401(k) with Company Match
• 12-week Paid Parental Leave Program
• PTO and 10 Paid Holidays
• Dog Friendly Workplace

In accordance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, the approximate annual base compensation range is listed above. The actual offer, reflecting the total compensation package and benefits, will be determined by several factors including the applicant's experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity among our team.

As part of our ‘For Every Body’ core pillar, NOA Brands provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race (including hair texture and hairstyles), color, religion (including head coverings), age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or lo