Job Description

REI is seeking an innovative Sr Concept Designer, who is responsible for delivering solutions that connect the REI brand, strategy, and physical design through the execution of built projects. This role is responsible for the development of new concepts and creative guidance of strategic initiatives to enhance our existing store fleet. The Sr Concept Designer will lead the development, cross-divisional alignment, and implementation of new fixtures, furniture, lighting, artwork, and signage. This role works in partnership with Store Design, Visual Merchandising, Retail Operations, Merchants, Construction, Finance, and Sourcing to support the Co-op’s strategic direction. Additionally, this role is responsible for supporting strategic programs and initiatives work, value engineering and prototyping. 

This role requires advanced knowledge of retail concept development and is able to manage projects with high levels of ambiguity and budget complexity. The ideal candidate is able to manage both tactical and strategic projects. They are able to use a wide range of strategies, concepts, and previous experience to determine a course of action and deliver independently. They are able to effectively influence and negotiate solutions when the path forward is unclear, and they are able to make trade-offs when evaluating opportunity vs. available resources.  

• Responsible for the development of new concepts and creative guidance for strategic initiatives from full store experience to individual category development where the strategy may not be defined.
• Responsible for delivering the conceptualization, prototyping, and piloting process to publish new solutions for the Design Catalog.
• Responsible for advising senior leaders with decision support and impact to business initiatives.
• Responsible for collaboration with Visual Merchandising team to create holistic shop-level concepts.
• Responsible for delivering solutions for fixtures, furniture, and finishes that meets business requirements.
• Responsible for creating and maintaining the design catalog including: fixtures, furniture, finishes, lighting, artwork, and signage.
• Responsible for providing clear, effective, and timely communication of design direction and changes to team members and/or consultants.
• Responsible for informing schedules and timelines with project teams and effectively communicating dates to meet all established deadlines. 
• Responsible for the design intent drawings and/or sketches and materials for distribution to suppliers.
• Responsible for the development of shop drawings with suppliers to ensure the design intent was met.
• Responsible for auditing work output of employees and suppliers to ensure results are high quality.
• Responsible for driving identified value-engineering opportunities on new and existing catalog items.
• Responsible for managing the project budget for research and development funds.
• Proactively researches industry trends, competitive landscape, and inspiration to fuel the project specific solutions. 
• Store visits may be required to audit the implementation of standards and to develop new ones on an as-needed basis.  

Qualifications 

• 8+ years of design development experience in complex retail environment
• Store Design, Visual presentation, or Merchandising experience
• Fluency in the design and development of retail fixtures, lighting, and/or furniture
• Ability to review and redline millwork shop drawings
• Fluency in relevant skills and software for 2D & 3D design such as SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, hand sketching, Figma, and Mural
• Demonstrated skills with relevant software for effective management and tracking of projects, such as Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, Workfront or similar
• Demonstrated ability maintaining budgets, schedules, and deadlines, prioritizing, and managing resources to accomplish goals
• Demonstrated organizational skills with high attention to detail with experience working in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.
• Ability to read construction drawings and communicate scope and materials required for execution across stores
• Ability to articulate business impact of decisions and actions on internal and external customers.
• BA in Architecture, Interior Design, or Experience Design (Preferred)

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