Sr. Lead Designer

Organisaation Description
Industree Foundation drives regenerative economic transformation for vulnerable women in India by enabling them to build and scale self-owned collective enterprises. The organization focuses on sustainable natural fiber and regenerative agricultural value chains, such as banana, bamboo, and non-timber forest produce, and connects women-led enterprises to markets for natural, biodegradable products. Industree has set up numerous women’s collectives and producer companies that supply sustainable homewares and apparel to major global retailers, supported by an ecosystem of upskilling, capital, and digital tools. With a strong focus on equity, gender, and climate, Industree has impacted hundreds of thousands of lives, improving economic security, social outcomes, and resilience, while positioning women as key agents of change in climate-positive value chains.
Job Description:
We are seeking a visionary and strategic Sr Designer to direct our product planning, market research, and visual identity for the Home and Accessories categories. This role acts as a bridge between market insights and creative execution, ensuring the seamless delivery of high-impact collections for both Domestic and Export markets. The ideal candidate will take end-to-end ownership of the product lifecycle from trend forecasting and conceptualization to visual presentation and cataloging. Beyond individual design contribution, this role is responsible for mentoring and managing our design team, fostering a culture of creativity, and ensuring design output aligns with our brand strategy and production timelines.
Travel Requirement
● Travel may involve 10 –15 days per month depending on need
● Unit visits
● On-site commissioning
● Field problem solving
Roles & Responsibilities
● Competitive Analysis: Conduct in-depth research across brands, MRP ranges, category mixes, and product offerings to identify market gaps and growth opportunities.
● Trend Forecasting: Analyze and predict upcoming trends in home and accessories for both domestic and export markets.
● Assortment Strategy: Develop strategic option plans based on category and product mix to guide assortment decisions and maximize sales potential.
●Category Expansion: Proactively explore new product and category opportunities, recommending innovative mixes to diversify and expand our brand offerings.
Creative Direction & Visual Development:
● Conceptualization: Create detailed moodboards based on research findings and internal strategic inputs to inspire and guide the design team through the product development process.
● Visual Standards: Provide clear visual guidelines and moodshots for every product line, ensuring total consistency across all catalogs, digital assets, and marketing materials.
Sampling & Production Oversee:
● Sample Team Management: Lead and manage the Sampling Team, overseeing the end-to-end development of prototypes. Ensure all samples meet quality standards, design specifications, and production timelines.
● Consumption Mapping: Oversee precise consumption mapping during the sampling phase to ensure designs are commercially viable and cost-efficient.
● Operational Coordination: Act as the primary bridge between the design, sampling, production, and sales teams to ensure smooth workflows and consistent quality.
Project Management & Execution:
● End-to-End Ownership: Manage critical project timelines, coordinate with sourcing leads, and ensure all design and sampling milestones are delivered within agreed-upon periods.
●Exhibition Management: Provide on-ground support for NCR-based events (e.g., IHGF fairs), including end-to-end display planning, booth aesthetics, and execution.
Team Mentorship:
Supervise and mentor the design and sampling teams, fostering a culture of innovation, productivity, and professional development.
Qualifications & Experience
Bachelor’s/master’s degree in design
12 –15 years’ experience working experience in product research, merchandising, or design support (home & accessories preferred).
Skills and Competencies
● Strategic & Analytical Thinking: Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate complex market research, category mixes, and MRP data into actionable product strategies.
● Design & Visual Expertise: Mastery in creating compelling moodboards, professional catalogs, and detailed visual guidelines; high proficiency in industry-standard design software.
● Sampling & Production Knowledge: Expert understanding of material properties, cost-consumption mapping, and production techniques required to lead a sampling team effectively.
● Project & Timeline Management: Exceptional ability to manage end-to-end project lifecycles, coordinate sourcing leads, and ensure rigorous adherence to launch deadlines.
●Cross-Functional Leadership: Strong communication and collaboration skills to act as a bridge between design, production, and sales departments.
●Market Insight: Deep understanding of Home and Accessories trends across both Domestic and Export segments.
●Agility & On-Ground Execution: Demonstrated willingness to provide on-ground support for events and exhibitions (such as IHGF), including display planning and logistics.
●Team Leadership: Proven capability to manage and mentor a design and sampling team, fostering a high-performance and creative culture.

Work arrangement
No