Manager, Product Design at CURiO Brands Minneapolis, MN

Position Overview

Manager, Product Design at CURiO Brands works closely with the Creative Director to support art direction and feedback and manage the Product Design team. The team is accountable for developing products and packaging for the CURiO Brand portfolio that are innovative, beautiful, safe, and sellable to end consumers. This position provides expertise and guidance in the creation and sourcing of custom vessels (glass, metal, and ceramic) and secondary packaging (paper boxes, tubes, bags, labels, hangtags). It collaborates with multiple departments – including Project Management, Brand, R&D, Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Marketing – and oversees roles such as Sr. Product Designer, Product Designer, or similar positions. Location: Minneapolis, MN. This role is for candidates who reside within 60 miles of the office.

Key Responsibilities

• Guides the Product Design team in translating creative requirements from concept through execution using a unique combination of creative and analytical talents.
• Helps lead strategic thinking of CURiO creative work, ensuring design vision aligns with business objectives, brand aesthetics, and costing goals.
• Assigns and manages team workflow of projects, monitoring overall capacity of product designers.
• Identifies and implements process improvement areas that simplify steps and gain efficiencies for the company.
• Organizes and condenses design feedback into digestible, actionable tasks for product designers.
• Leads design meetings as needed throughout the development process.
• Participates in the approval of prototype samples for style details, construction, safety, and usability.
• Communicates with domestic and international vendors to achieve design intent, construction, safety, and usability goals, contributing problem-solving ideas throughout the development process.
• Mentors and coaches on topics such as design approach, vendor communication, file building, and best practices.
• Collaborates with the Creative Director, Product Design team, and Brand to research and develop new product ideas.
• Develops mood boards for new product collections and formats, and reviews creative presentations with both internal brand teams and external customers.
• Demonstrates a systematic approach in designing for various structures, materials, sizes, and product types while maintaining brand standards and attention to detail.
• Works closely with external vendors to build strong partnerships and ensure product integrity.
• Organizes and labels incoming samples and approved counters, and attends regular Design & Innovation status meetings.
• Collaborates with Brand, Project Management, Engineering, R&D, Purchasing, Quality, Production, Finance, and Sales to meet project goals, design intent, and timelines.
• Works with designers and print vendors to develop structures, review proofs for color and detail accuracy, and attend press checks to uphold brand standards.
• Collaborates with the Project Management team and Cost Analyst on costing exercises, contributing insights to cost-engineer new developments.
• Assists and supports the design team in daily tasks such as mock-ups, structure development, file construction, quotes, and 3D renderings.
• Provides leadership to the team by ensuring talent, resource availability, and productivity; models CURiO Cornerstones in decision-making.
• Manages a multi-location team in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, including hiring, training, and ongoing performance management.
• Fosters a collaborative creative environment and ensures clear communication of CURiO policies, procedures, and cultural values.
• Supports general responsibilities by following company policies, pursuing professional development, and maintaining a safe, organized work area.
• Adapts to extended work hours when needed to meet seasonal deadlines and performs additional tasks as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in graphic or industrial design or equivalent work experience.
• Experience Required: Four years’ experience in product or packaging development or design, with an intermediate level supervisory background.
• Computer Skills: Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and Outlook; advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator); 3D printer experience preferred.
• Qualifications: Ability to work collaboratively across multiple departments, manage a large volume of projects, and apply creative design techniques. Must demonstrate excellent critical thinking, problem-solving, attention to detail, leadership, communication, presentation, and writing skills, along with initiative, follow-through, the ability to build relationships, and tolerance for moderate stress while working independently.

Benefits & Perks

• Medical, Dental, and Disability Insurance (cost shared).
• Life/AD&D Insurance (employer paid).
• Additional voluntary benefit offerings (employee paid): Vision, Accident, Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account, Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, Voluntary Term Life Insurance, and AD&D.
• 401(k) eligibility after 6 months of employment on the next quarterly entry date.