Design Coordinator

Please note: this position requires previous international travel experience and ability to travel overseas with the team throughout the year, as needed. 

Overview of Job Description:

This position will be responsible for coordinating and supporting all areas of the gift concept development process. The tasks will entail creating, issuing and managing all Design requests/forms to Sourcing, and Purchasing teams from start to finish/receipt of the request.

Our ideal candidate will be responsible for: managing multiple projects concurrently and be highly proficient at multi-tasking. This position will assist with and have knowledge of the Sales/Design to Sourcing recap process with attention to detail.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Works effectively creating, managing and tracking all Design requests for Sourcing, Purchasing and Graphics for all customer projects.
• Manages all product sample requests from concept to commit.
• Maintains all tracking spreadsheets/logs for each request type and provide status updates.
• Create and track all Design recaps for distribution to the respective departments.
• Create concept requests in Excel and/or Power Point for interdepartmental use and/or customers as needed for sample procurement.
• Develop knowledge and understanding of our international/domestic vendors and their capabilities.
• Attend and assist with customer presentations and meetings.

Secondary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Understand customer and industry trends in the competitive environment of gift/product sourcing.
• Review all requests for updated information and identify potential issues.
• Assist the Designers with the recap process after a presentation with sample identification, photos, specifications, including size, color and material/substrate.
• Assist with concept meeting preparation and presentation.
• Develop a knowledge of our vendors and their respective specialties.
• Travel to China with our Creative team to support the gift concept development process.

Administrative and Other Responsibilities:

• Maintain/update spreadsheets
• Assist the Designer team by preparing all requests in Excel forms.
• Provide general administrative assistance to the Design department as needed.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong Organizational and/or Project Management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects within a dynamic environment.
• Proficient with MS Office: Excel, Outlook, Power Point and Word
• Typing minimum 40 WPM
• Ability to take photos for samples requests
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Basic Design knowledge including, but not limited to: substrates, materials, colors and print processes.
• Works well in a Team Environment
• Experience in hard goods sourcing/product development
• Ability to travel internationally.
• Must be able to work overtime as necessary.

Education:

• BA/BS Degree or AA or equivalent work experience.