Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: Harvest Group

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-03-12

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3-6+ years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead product design initiatives from initial concept through to commercialization for seasonal and core product categories within the integrated commerce sector.

• Drive creative direction and execution for diverse projects and clients, ensuring strict adherence to retailer standards, brand vision, and overarching business objectives.

• Provide essential design leadership to internal teams and external partners, guaranteeing consistent quality and timely delivery of all design assets.

• Develop innovative product concepts, compelling renderings, and effective packaging solutions, supported by necessary digital files for production.

• Conduct thorough research into emerging trends, materials, trims, and finishes to foster product innovation and enhance market differentiation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is explicitly defined as "Product Designer" and is situated within an "integrated commerce agency" serving CPG suppliers. The focus is on "retail-ready products" and "owned brands," indicating a B2B context where design directly impacts client success with retailers like Walmart, Target, and Amazon. The core responsibilities center on hands-on design execution and cross-functional collaboration, rather than strategic operations management.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead comprehensive product design initiatives from ideation through commercialization, covering both seasonal and core product categories.

• Own and execute creative direction across multiple projects and clients, ensuring alignment with retailer standards, brand vision, and business goals.

• Provide design leadership to internal designers and external partners, ensuring consistency, quality, and on-time delivery of all design outputs.

• Create detailed product design concepts, renderings, packaging designs, and execute sample files.

• Research and analyze market trends, materials, trims, and finishes to drive innovation and product differentiation.

• Review and refine design concepts, sketches, samples, and final outputs to uphold high creative and quality standards.

• Manage project timelines, priorities, and workflows for concurrent projects, proactively identifying and mitigating risks and constraints.

• Collaborate cross-functionally across different time zones to ensure clear communication, alignment, and efficient execution.

• Present design concepts and product direction confidently to internal stakeholders and external retail partners.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of design processes, tools, and standards within the product design function.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative execution and project management within a B2B retail environment. Emphasis on "retailer standards," "brand vision," and "commercialization" points to a design role deeply integrated with business outcomes, requiring a strong understanding of market demands and production realities.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 3-6+ years of experience in product design, with a preference for experience within seasonal décor, home goods, or consumer products.

Required Skills:

• High attention to detail with a strong understanding of product design specifications required for suppliers to execute design concepts effectively.

• Expert knowledge of textile and surface design, materials, and production considerations.

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), CAD tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.

• Strong artistic and creative ability to develop new design concepts, icons, labels, and packaging using conventional and digital files.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with demonstrated experience interfacing with major retailers.

• Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently, balancing creative excellence with commercial and operational realities.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with overseas development or production partners.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "preferred" education and experience with overseas partners suggest a growth trajectory within the company. The emphasis on "commercial and operational realities" and "product design specifications" indicates that this is not purely conceptual design but requires a practical, production-oriented mindset.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a strong portfolio showcasing a range of product design projects, with a focus on seasonal décor, home goods, or consumer products.

• Include examples of how design concepts were translated into production-ready specifications for suppliers.

• Highlight projects that required research into trends, materials, and finishes, showing the innovation process.

Process Documentation:

• Illustrate experience in managing the end-to-end design process from ideation through commercialization.

• Provide examples of how design processes were optimized or improved for efficiency and quality.

• Showcase the ability to manage timelines, priorities, and workflows across multiple concurrent projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job description doesn't explicitly demand a "process portfolio," the responsibilities and requirements strongly imply the need for a portfolio that visually and contextually demonstrates the candidate's ability to execute on these fronts, particularly in translating creative visions into tangible, commercially viable products.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Medical Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• 401K Retirement Plan

• Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Charitable Gift Matching Program

• Paid Volunteer Hours

Working Hours:

• The position is listed as full-time, typically implying a 40-hour work week, with an on-site work arrangement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided, and the benefits package is detailed. The mention of a bonus program and the company's research into market dynamics for compensation indicate a structured approach to total rewards. The "on-site" work arrangement is confirmed, and standard full-time hours are implied.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Integrated Commerce / Retail Services (Serving CPG Suppliers)

Company Size: The company has received awards like "Fortune's Best Medium Workplaces" and "Fortune's Best Workplaces for Women," suggesting a mid-sized company with a strong, positive employee culture.

Founded: Established in 2006, Harvest Group has over 15 years of experience in the integrated commerce sector.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the "Product Design and Owned Brand work," indicating a specialized team focused on creating proprietary product lines for clients.

• Requires collaboration with internal designers and external partners, suggesting a matrixed or project-based team structure.

Methodology:

• Leverages "first-class systems and technologies" to support clients.

• Focuses on a "connected commerce solution" integrating various services.

• Emphasizes a "data-driven approach" through its account management and retail media functions, which likely informs product design decisions.

Company Website: [Harvest Group Website - Not provided in input, but would typically be linked here]

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is heavily emphasized through its numerous awards for being a great place to work, highlighting values like Integrity, Relationship, Service, Excellence, and Journey. This suggests a supportive, collaborative, and results-oriented environment where employee well-being and professional growth are priorities. The B2B nature of the agency model means the "clients" are CPG suppliers, and the "retailers" are the major marketplaces they serve.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a mid-level (3-6+ years of experience) within a specialized Product Design function, not a core operations role. It focuses on design execution and project leadership within the product development lifecycle.

Reporting Structure: The description implies reporting to a design lead or manager within the Product Design function, with direct collaboration with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders.

Operations Impact: While not a direct operations role, the Product Designer's work has a significant impact on client success by creating retail-ready products that meet market demands and retailer specifications. This directly influences sales performance, brand perception, and the overall client-retailer relationship managed by Harvest Group.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advance to senior or lead Product Designer roles, managing larger projects or a team of designers.

• Specialize further in specific product categories or design disciplines (e.g., packaging design, textile design).

• Transition into roles with broader product strategy or brand management responsibilities within the company.

• Develop expertise in working with overseas production partners, a stated preferred skill.

• Gain deeper insights into retail account management and CPG supplier needs through cross-functional collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a specialist within a design function, not a traditional operations role. Growth opportunities are geared towards deepening design expertise and potentially moving into leadership within the design team or related client-facing roles within the agency.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is "on-site" in Minneapolis, MN, suggesting a traditional office environment where in-person collaboration is valued.

Office Location(s): Minneapolis, Minnesota. Specific office amenities or accessibility details are not provided.

Workspace Context:

• The emphasis on "Great Place to Work" awards and "Relationship" as a core value suggests a collaborative and supportive office atmosphere.

• The use of "first-class systems and technologies" implies that employees will have access to modern design tools and infrastructure.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with internal design peers, cross-functional teams, and potentially client stakeholders are inherent to the role.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours are implied, likely with flexibility to manage project timelines and cross-time zone collaborations, but the primary arrangement is on-site.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is described as being on-site in Minneapolis, MN, and is characterized by a strong company culture focused on collaboration, relationships, and employee well-being, as evidenced by multiple workplace awards.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely an HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion about design experience, responsibilities, and approach to product design challenges.

• Portfolio Review: A critical stage where candidates will present their portfolio to a panel (likely design leads and potentially stakeholders from account management or client services). This will focus on design concepts, execution, and commercial viability.

• Cross-functional/Team Interview: Meeting with team members to assess collaboration style and ability to work with diverse groups.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss overall fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate your portfolio to highlight projects most relevant to seasonal décor, home goods, or consumer products.

• For each project, clearly articulate your role, the design process followed, the challenges faced, and the final outcomes (including any commercial success metrics if possible).

• Be prepared to discuss your understanding of retailer standards, brand vision, and how you balance creative execution with commercial realities.

• Showcase your proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, CAD tools, and your ability to create production-ready files.

• Demonstrate your research process for trends, materials, and finishes.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a potential design exercise or case study that requires you to:

  • Develop a product concept based on a given brief or trend.
  • Create initial sketches or renderings.
  • Consider materials, production feasibility, and target retailer requirements.
  • Outline a process for bringing the concept to commercialization.

• Practice articulating your design decisions and justifying them based on market research, brand strategy, and commercial viability.

• Prepare to discuss how you manage timelines and collaborate with cross-functional teams under pressure.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process and portfolio review will heavily focus on practical design skills, commercial awareness, and the ability to execute within a B2B retail context. Candidates should be ready to demonstrate their entire design process from ideation to production-ready assets.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Software:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Advanced proficiency required, specifically in:

  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logo design, packaging die-lines, and technical illustrations.
  • Photoshop: For image manipulation, rendering, creating textures, and mood boards.

• CAD Tools: Proficiency is required for creating detailed product designs and potentially 3D models. Specific software is not named, suggesting a need for general CAD competence.

• Microsoft Office Suite: For general business communication, presentations, and data management.

Collaboration & Project Management Tools:

• While not explicitly named, the need for cross-functional collaboration across time zones implies the use of:
  • Communication platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams).
  • Project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira - specific to Harvest Group's internal stack).

Research Tools:

• Access to trend forecasting services, industry publications, and online retail platforms for market and material research.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirements are centered around industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite, CAD), with an expectation of general proficiency in productivity tools. The collaborative nature of the role implies familiarity with common digital collaboration platforms.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Integrity: Upholding honesty and ethical conduct in all design decisions and client interactions.

• Relationship: Building trust and fostering strong, collaborative relationships with internal teams, external partners, and potentially clients.

• Service: Approaching design work with humility and a focus on serving the needs of clients and retailers.

• Excellence: Consistently delivering high-quality, innovative, and commercially viable design solutions with a humble pursuit of outstanding results.

• Journey: Embracing the process of design development, learning from past experiences, and planning for future innovations with a forward-thinking mindset.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, requiring close partnership with internal designers, account managers, and external production partners.

• Emphasis on clear communication across different departments and potentially time zones.

• A proactive approach to sharing progress, risks, and opportunities with stakeholders.

• Comfortable presenting design concepts and receiving constructive feedback from both internal teams and external retailers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values are deeply ingrained and directly influence the expected behavior and approach to work. Candidates are expected to embody these values in their daily tasks and interactions, particularly in fostering strong relationships and delivering excellent, integrity-driven design solutions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing creative vision with strict retailer standards and commercial viability constraints.

• Managing multiple concurrent projects with competing deadlines and priorities.

• Ensuring design consistency and quality when working with external partners, potentially overseas.

• Keeping abreast of rapidly evolving retail trends, materials, and consumer preferences.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen expertise in specific product categories (seasonal décor, home goods) and their associated design nuances.

• Gain experience in international production and supply chain dynamics through collaboration with overseas partners.

• Develop advanced presentation and stakeholder management skills by interacting with major retail buyers.

• Expand knowledge of integrated commerce strategies and how product design fits into broader client growth plans.

• Potential for mentorship from senior design leaders and exposure to strategic product development initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to a fast-paced, client-driven design role in the retail sector. Growth opportunities are focused on expanding technical design skills, understanding the broader commercial landscape, and developing leadership capabilities within the design function.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance a strong creative vision with strict retailer requirements. How did you navigate this?" (Focus on problem-solving, negotiation, and creative compromise.)

• "Walk us through a product design project from concept to commercialization. What was your process, and what were the key challenges?" (Demonstrate end-to-end execution, project management, and problem-solving.)

• "How do you stay current with design trends, materials, and manufacturing processes in the consumer product space?" (Highlight research methods and continuous learning.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Harvest Group and our work with CPG suppliers at major retailers?" (Showcase research into the company's business model and client base.)

• "Which of our core values (Integrity, Relationship, Service, Excellence, Journey) resonates most with you and why? How have you demonstrated this in your past roles?" (Assess cultural alignment.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent the requirements of this role (seasonal, home, consumer products, commercial viability).

• For each project, clearly define: the client/objective, your specific role, the design process, key challenges, your solutions, and the final outcome.

• Be prepared to discuss the technical aspects of your designs, including materials, production considerations, and file execution.

• Practice articulating the commercial relevance and market positioning of your designs.

• Ensure your presentation is concise, visually engaging, and allows for interactive Q&A.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a blend of creative talent, practical execution, commercial acumen, and strong collaborative skills, all within the context of serving retail clients.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on Paycor recruiting platform.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to emphasize experience in seasonal décor, home goods, or consumer products, and highlight your proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, CAD, and the end-to-end product design process.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 3-6+ years of experience, specific responsibilities related to product concepting, renderings, packaging, and collaboration with production partners. Use keywords from the job description such as "product design," "commercialization," "retailer standards," "textile design," and "Adobe Creative Suite."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, creative problem-solving abilities, and how you balance creativity with commercial realities. Prepare specific examples that showcase your attention to detail and ability to work independently while communicating progress.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Harvest Group's services, their client base (CPG suppliers), and their core values. Understand their position as an integrated commerce agency serving major retailers.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.