Job Description
INTRODUCTION:
LEGO has evolved into an international lifestyle brand, with millions of LEGO fans of all ages worldwide and growing. Santoki, LLC is the exclusive U.S. distributor of LEGO LED light and LEGO Stationery products, offering a LEGO licensed portfolio for fans of all ages with unique lifestyle products, home goods, and stationery. Visit https://www.amazon.com/iq to see our core product line. Santoki is located in Auburn Hills, MI. Our products are distributed worldwide in specialty retail, e-commerce and several national chain retailers. Visit amazon.com/iq to learn more about our products.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Product/Industrial Designer role requires a foundational understanding of children’s product design, specifically in the LEGO world. The Product Designer role is to leverage the LEGO license to produce marketable product concepts, visualize, and to demonstrate its function & benefits. This position works with engineers and vendors to deliver projects on time. The role primarily focuses on areas of LED lighting, stationery & lifestyle products. The Product Designer will work on multiple seasons simultaneously, raising them from initial concepts to market. Designers will also work with home grown IP or other 3rd party Ips, such as Star Wars. The Product Designer is expected to assist with the project from end to end.
RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
Design and development of new product concepts using licensed and home-grown properties
Create mood boards and decks to clearly communicate design rationale, used for internal as well as for presenting to licensors & retailers
Create hand drawings to convey your ideas
Design using SolidWorks or Rhino 3D design software
Prototype design using 3D printers and/or laser cutting equipment to verify work
Design packaging, merchandising and store display fixtures
Create high quality 3D photo renderings using KeyShot
Work with overseas partners and cross functional teams
Review samples with scrutiny to maintain the highest level of quality
Research and stay on top of industry technology, trends and materials
Prepare technical drawings for communication of designs for engineering
Responsible for staying on schedule within the timelines provided
Drive and maintain daily communication with Asia team
Track and drive project development forward and flag issues as they arise
Work to balance cost reductions with product integrity to achieve final designs that hit target costs
Potential for overseas travel
Occasional after-hours communication with overseas offices
Participate in and host brainstorms for existing brands and new areas of expansion
Work closely with the design lead to distill key takeaways and action next steps
CORE COMPETENCIES:
Strong creative and aesthetic design skills
Strong communication and presentation skills
Flexible, can-do attitude and willingness to explore and pivot to new ideas
Understanding of the marketplace and competitive landscape
Natural ability to hand sketch and at will show your idea to the team, vendors and clients
Ability to design, with good understanding of typography
Good understanding of hard goods manufacturing
Ability to take direction and deliver results
Detailed, organized, proactive and strong ability to anticipate changes
Understand how to deliver and close the project on time
QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree in industrial design, toy design or relevant field of study
3+ years of product design experience within consumer goods, toys or children’s products but will entertain fresh graduates
3+ years of experience in 2D & 3D software not including college (Photoshop, Illustrator, 3D Design software, Rhino, SolidWorks, KeyShot or 3D rendering program)
1+ year of business software, particularly Microsoft 365
Overseas experience / understanding of production is a plus
Experience of working on licensed IP is a plus
Portfolio of professional work
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO WORK HERE?
Santoki is a small, hands-on organization that provides many great opportunities for impactful decision-making. The company incorporates under one roof the design team, sales team and e-commerce team to allow for an agile development process from concept to market.
OUR VISION:
Children are always fascinated with light; its color, its function and its security. We want to create the first LED light with which they play. The first night light, the first reading light, and the first activity light... Our vision is to deliver fun, colorful, bright and safe products for children, kidults & AFOLS (adult fans of LEGO).
Thank you for the opportunity to review your resume. However, only those selected for interview will be contacted. Thanks for your interest in Santoki.
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: $50,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year
BENEFITS:
Health insurance
Paid time off
Retirement plan
Schedule: 8-hour shift, Monday to Friday
COVID-19 CONSIDERATIONS:
Employees are required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination and booster. Daily temperature checks are required upon arrival.
ABILITY TO COMMUTE/RELOCATE:
Auburn Hills, MI 48326: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)
Company Description
Santoki is the exclusive US distributor of LEGO lighting, stationery & lifestyle products. Our product is sold into a variety of different channels, including mass markets, specialty retail, and direct to consumer. Visit https://www.amazon.com/iq to learn more about our product portfolio.