Head of Product Design and Innovation (Furniture)

Job Description

Job Title: Head of Product Design and Innovation (Furniture) Location: Hyderabad, Telangana, India About Us: At VITTI , we are passionate about creating exceptional furniture that defines spaces and enhances lives. From contemporary home collections to sophisticated solutions for hospitality and dynamic corporate lounges, we pride ourselves on innovative design, quality craftsmanship, and a commitment to sustainability. Join our dynamic team as we continue to shape the future of furniture from our base in Hyderabad, India. The Opportunity: We are seeking a visionary and experienced Head of Product Design and Innovation to lead our talented design team and shape the future of our furniture collections for VITTI. This pivotal role involves overseeing the entire design lifecycle, from conceptualization and development through to manufacturing liaison and market launch. You will be instrumental in creating innovative, functional, and aesthetically compelling furniture pieces. A key aspect of this role will be your ability to conceptualize and guide the creation of customized furniture solutions for our diverse clientele across home, hospitality, and corporate lounge spaces, as well as spearheading collaborations with leading external design talents to enhance our product portfolio and brand prestige. Key Responsibilities: 1. Design Vision & Strategy: Develop and champion a cohesive and forward-thinking design vision and strategy for all VITTI furniture product lines (home, hospitality, corporate lounges), aligning with market trends, brand positioning, and commercial goals. This includes a strategy for product versatility, customization, and the integration of external design collaborations. Lead market research, trend forecasting (materials, finishes, forms, sustainability), and competitor analysis specific to the furniture industry to identify new opportunities and ensure our collections are innovative and relevant. Establish and uphold exceptional design quality, craftsmanship standards, and aesthetic consistency across all furniture products. Drive innovation in design, materials, ergonomics, and manufacturing processes, with a keen eye on sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and opportunities for co-creation with external partners. 2. Team Leadership & Management: Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of product designers, CAD technicians, and potentially prototypers, fostering a creative, collaborative, and high-performance culture. Manage design team resources, project timelines, and budgets effectively, including those allocated for external collaborations. Oversee individual and team performance, providing constructive feedback and supporting professional development. Champion a deep understanding of user needs and design thinking methodologies within the team, including how these apply to customized client solutions and collaborative projects. 3. Design & Development Process (Internal Focus): Oversee the end-to-end internal furniture design process: from initial concept sketches, mood boards, and 3D renderings to detailed technical drawings, material selection, and prototyping, including the development of adaptable and modular systems. Ensure internally designed products are aesthetically strong, commercially viable, manufacturable, and meet quality, durability, and safety standards for their intended use. Implement and refine design processes and workflows for optimal efficiency and creativity within the in-house team. Oversee the development and maintenance of a comprehensive design library, including material samples, technical specifications, and 3D models. Work closely with the prototyping team or external prototypers to iterate on designs and ensure fidelity to the design intent. 4. Client-Centric Solution Development & Customization Strategy: Collaborate closely with sales, project managers, and directly with key clients (especially in hospitality and corporate sectors) to understand their specific spatial needs, functional requirements, and aesthetic aspirations. Develop and propose customized furniture solutions by creatively combining existing products, suggesting modifications, or conceptualizing bespoke pieces to meet unique client project demands. Guide the design team in developing modular systems or product families that inherently support customization and flexible application. Create presentations, mood boards, and spatial layouts illustrating how our furniture collections can be utilized to deliver tailored environments and solve client challenges. 5. External Design Collaborations & Commissioned Works: Identify, cultivate, and manage relationships with renowned and emerging external product designers, architects, and interior designers for potential collaborations and commissioned product development. Develop briefs and manage the creative and contractual process for collaborative projects, ensuring alignment with our brand ethos, manufacturing capabilities, and commercial objectives. Integrate externally designed products seamlessly into our existing collections, ensuring they complement the in-house design direction and go-to-market strategies. Represent VITTI at industry events, design fairs, and networking opportunities to identify potential collaborators and stay at the forefront of design talent. 6. Manufacturing & Sourcing Collaboration: Collaborate closely with in-house manufacturing teams and/or external suppliers to ensure design feasibility (including for custom elements and externally designed pieces), optimize for production efficiency, and maintain quality control. Provide clear technical specifications and support to manufacturing partners throughout the production process for all product lines. Participate in material sourcing and selection, considering aesthetics, durability, sustainability, cost, and supplier capabilities, particularly for custom projects and collaborative designs. Troubleshoot design-related production issues and propose effective solutions. 7. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Market Integration: Partner with Product Management and Sales teams to understand market needs, define product briefs (including for customizable ranges and collaborative collections), and ensure designs meet commercial objectives and customer expectations. Act as a key design consultant for the sales team and major clients, providing expert advice on product application, space planning, and customized solutions. Collaborate with the Marketing team to develop compelling product narratives (highlighting versatility, customization options, and designer collaborations), provide design input for marketing materials, and support product launches. Present design concepts, strategies, project updates, custom solution proposals, and collaboration initiatives to senior leadership and other stakeholders. Gather feedback from sales, customers, and the market to inform future design directions and product improvements. 8. Business Acumen: Develop designs, including customized solutions and collaborative products, that meet target cost parameters and contribute to profitability. Understand the competitive landscape and position our designs, customization capabilities, and designer collaborations effectively. Contribute to pricing strategies by providing insights into design value, material costs, and the complexity/exclusivity of custom or collaborative solutions. Qualifications & Experience: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Industrial Design, Furniture Design, or a related field. Proven experience (typically 10+ years) in product design, with a significant portion focused on furniture design. Demonstrable experience in a leadership role, managing and mentoring a design team. A strong portfolio showcasing innovative and commercially successful furniture designs across residential, hospitality, and/or corporate sectors, ideally with examples of customized solutions, modular systems, and/or products developed through external collaborations. Deep understanding of furniture manufacturing processes, materials (wood, metal, upholstery, composites, etc.), construction techniques, and joinery, including experience with adapting designs for custom requirements. Proficiency in relevant design software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Rhino, Keyshot, Adobe Creative Suite). Excellent understanding of ergonomics, proportion, and aesthetic principles. Experience with trend forecasting and market research in the furniture or interior design industry. Strong understanding of sustainability principles in design and manufacturing. Proven ability to understand client needs and translate them into effective, customized design solutions. Demonstrated experience in identifying, briefing, and managing collaborations with external designers, architects, or design studios. A strong network within the design community is highly desirable. Exceptional creativity, problem-solving skills, and attention to detail. Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with experience in client-facing and external partner interactions. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines. Experience working directly with sales, marketing, and manufacturing teams. What We Offer: A competitive salary and performance bonus package. Generous employee discounts on our VITTI furniture collections. Opportunities for professional growth and leadership development. A vibrant, creative, and collaborative work environment in Hyderabad. The opportunity to make a significant impact on a growing brand and shape the future of furniture design, including pioneering customized client solutions and leading exciting collaborations with top design talent. How to Apply: Experienced candidates meeting the above criteria are encouraged to apply. Please submit your updated resume detailing your relevant experience to Hr@aubergine.design or HR Whatsapp- +91 9154941449 Experience: Head of Product Design and Innovation (Furniture): 10 years (Required) Benefits: Paid sick time Paid time off Provident Fund Schedule: Day shift Fixed shift Work Location: In person Job Type: Full-time Pay: ₹18,00,000-24,00,000 per year Work Location: In person *Speak with the employer* +91 9154941449 Job Type: Full-time Pay: ₹1,800,000.00 - ₹2,400,000.00 per year Benefits: Paid sick time Paid time off Provident Fund Schedule: Day shift Fixed shift Work Location: In person