Hi there, we’re Article. 👋 Since 2013, we have been redefining 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 Senior Manager, Product Design, you'll lead the product design direction and execution for the holistic assortment, enabling the Product Design Team to successfully deliver New Product Introductions (NPI) to drive catalog growth.

*Please note: This role requires you to be in-office 3 days per week in our Vancouver HQ. You will also need to travel 3-4 times per year throughout North America and Vietnam.

Why We Need You:

As the Senior Manager, Product Design you will guide and direct a core team of talented product designers and freelancers; fostering and nurturing a culture of design, unifying the product design language, and ensuring the successful execution of the Product Design Vision for Article.

You will be working closely with our Category Management team to lead the design and feel of our product line. Day-to-day, you'll be leading design critiques of potential new products, working with the Brand team on design intent, interfacing with our Product Development team in Vietnam, team budgeting and, high-level function strategy/planning (setting OKRs and team goals).

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 that is redefining the furniture industry.

Department: Product (Furniture)
Employment Type: Fixed Term - Full Time
Location: Vancouver
Workplace type: Hybrid
Compensation: $150,000 - $170,000 / year
Reporting To: Wendy Youds

What You’ll Do:

Accountable for the successful execution of Articles Design Vision, ensuring that Article’s Design DNA is embedded into all original designs, consistently delivering products that our customers love.
Lead, Mentor and Nurture the design team; offering design critique is a highly important aspect of this role and providing direction when needed.
Responsible for the successful launch of new product introductions (NPI) through effective teamwork and partnerships with cross functional teams with a focus on the strategic intent, design and development phases.
Allocate design projects appropriately with support of the Product Design Managers (OEM & ODM) and manage the Design team workflow in collaboration with the Project Management team.
Maintain a knowledgeable overview of all design projects in work with the ability to remove roadblocks, solve issues and make decisions as necessary.
Conduct global research that informs the ‘Design Intent’ phase of the product planning cycle (at key internal go-to-market milestones) with strategic trend and design insights and identify additional product assortment or business growth opportunities for consideration.
You will lead trend research including in-market visits, attending tradeshows and suppliers.
Research and test AI Design Assistant Tools (DAT) for future adoption.
Create a unified design strategy, ensuring cross functional adoption
Collaborate with cross-functional team members to ensure full transparency and awareness throughout the product commercialization timeline.
Oversee daily communication with cross-functional partners - communicating design concepts and specifications to the appropriate teams.
Partner with the Category Management Team for all product reviews, leading the discussions with regard to product design aesthetic, fit-for-use, construction detail, core raw materials and cost.
Collaborate closely with the VP Product and Quality, VP Category Management and the Design team on translating the catalog needs into commercially viable design concepts.
Continue the evolution of Article’s Design DNA, ensuring that the ‘coral thread’ ties into and complements the broader Product DNA across all categories.

Who You Are:

5+ years of experience as a Design Manager, Design Director or related leadership position, successfully leading a team of designers.
Strong design sensibility and market sense with the creative ability to understand Article’s design aesthetic and recognize products that fit our brand.
A deep passion for Interiors, Architecture, modern furniture design and décor.
A clear understanding of critical path or Go-To-Market methodology with the ability to support workflow, achieve deliverables and, on time launches.
Familiarity with key Design tools; Bonus if you know Adobe Illustrator, Fusion, SolidWorks, Inventor or similar design software.
Legally able to work in Canada.
Completion of criminal background check.

Perks & Benefits:

Wealth:

The salary range is $150,000 to $170,000. The starting salary will be determined by your transferable skills, knowledge, work experience, and the hiring team’s budget, which is based on business needs, market compensation data, and internal equity

Life:

20 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

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)

*Prorated

About Article

Hi there, we’re Article. 👋 Since 2013 we’ve been redefining the furniture industry one sofa at a time.

Vancouver, Canada is home to our HQ (and our first retail store)
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam is home to our Asia HQ
Our US and Canadian logistics network serves our customers coast to coast.

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.

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Our Hiring Process

Stage 1:

Application Review

Stage 2:

Phone Interview

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