Designer

THIS POSITION IS LOCATED IN WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA.  There is no relocation or sponsorship available for this role. Job Description HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT • Translate customer vision and design intent into production-ready interior surface concepts. • Develop and evaluate interior color harmony, material appearance, gloss, texture, grain, print, pattern, haptics and perceived quality. • Balance aesthetics with feasibility, cost, timing, durability, manufacturing capability and customer requirements. • Identify customer and market design needs. • Deliver internal and external design presentations. • Develop feasible grains, colors, prints and combinations, securing customer approvals and PLC documentation. • Support design development and releases for customer programs. Strategy Design Americas • Build and expand trusted working relationships with American / North American customers, CMF, innovation groups and advanced engineering organizations. • Monitor competitive design technologies and activities together with Sales. • Provide design and plant support for Winchester. Design and Project Management • Coordinate sample creation, color matching, appearance reviews, supplier trials, production evaluations and corrective actions. • Partner cross-functionally with Creative Design, Engineering, Program Management, Sales, Manufacturing, Quality and external suppliers. • Initiate and/or monitor trial batches through the internal process. • Track color and grain developments through the internal development process. • Track internal design projects. Customer Projects • Present design recommendations clearly and document customer feedback, decisions, actions, owners and next steps. • Attend color, print and texture evaluations at suppliers, production locations and customer sites. • Support escalation management within the Americas Design department. Collaboration • Advise BA SSL stakeholders and departments involved in the Product Life Cycle that influence design-related product and production properties, including feasibility and business impact. • Build and expand collaboration between SSL and relevant customer departments, with a focus on acquiring new projects. Reporting • Report within defined cycles and systems, including 1:1 meetings, dashboards and action lists. • Communicate status updates and projected timelines to customers. • Provide recommendations to affected internal departments based on customer feedback. • Report and document customer approval status, including ISAR, roller transfer to serial status and master creation. Design Support • Collect necessary input from customers. • Present color submissions and grain developments to customers. • Build and expand collaboration between SSL Design and relevant customer departments. • Support the Program Management team in acquiring new projects. • Prepare and deliver internal presentations. Teamwork • Act as a member of a Program Management team. • Own surface design development for assigned customers. • Collaborate with all parties and departments involved in the PLC process. • Collaborate with Creative Design, Automotive Design, and DTS SSL. Trend and Market Research • Monitor, gather and analyze American market activity, especially competitor colors, textures, prints and materials. • Identify American market design and color trends. • Analyze SSL and competitor color and trim portfolios, including color, grain, print, structure, surface characteristics and haptics. Other Responsibilities • Travel to suppliers, trade fairs / trade shows and customer locations. • Prepare reports, presentations and updates from customers, shows and events. • Prepare design presentations. • Present SSL product portfolio samples and design presentations. THE ENVIRONMENT • Safety is our highest priority and safety procedures and guidelines must always be adhered to. Applicants must be able to work in a manufacturing industrial environment and be able to wear personal protective equipment such as safety boots, safety glasses, hearing protection, etc. WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE ROLE • Bachelor's Degree in Related Field ADDITIONAL WAYS TO STAND OUT • Degree in Design • 3 years of experience • Adobe Suite experience • Previous experience in production and product management THE PERKS • Competitive Pay • Immediate Benefits • Paid Time Off • Employee Discounts, including tire discounts • Competitive Bonus Program • Employer 401(k) Match • On-Site Gym • And more benefits that come with working for a global industry leader! All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.