Product Designer
📍 Job Overview
Job Title: Product Designer
Company: Interwood Mobel
Location: Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Product Design / GTM Operations
Date Posted: 2025-10-27
Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)
Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Role Summary
- Spearhead the creation and market introduction of new furniture products, ensuring competitive pricing and alignment with market trends.
- Develop comprehensive production drawings and detailed technical specifications for manufacturing.
- Manage and maintain mood boards for customer clarity and design concept visualization.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Product, and Marketing teams to refine existing designs and identify market opportunities.
- Ensure technical proficiency in design software, specifically AutoCAD and IMOS, for detailed drawings, cutting lists, and quality parameters.
📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Product Designer," the responsibilities involving production drawings, Bill of Materials verification, mass production assistance, and market introduction strongly indicate a role with significant GTM (Go-To-Market) operations overlap. This role bridges product development with commercialization, requiring an understanding of how design translates into marketable and manufacturable products.
📈 Primary Responsibilities
- Conduct thorough market research on living furniture and lifestyle trends to inform new product development strategies.
- Analyze competitor products and market positioning to identify opportunities for differentiation and innovation.
- Translate design concepts into detailed production drawings, including technical specifications, dimensions, and material requirements.
- Create and maintain accurate mood boards for each new product, showcasing aesthetic appeal and lifestyle integration.
- Modify and optimize current product designs based on feedback from sales, product management, and marketing teams, addressing identified gaps.
- Generate comprehensive cutting lists and define quality parameters for new product manufacturing.
- Verify the Bill of Materials (BOM) generated by the costing department to ensure accuracy and feasibility.
- Liaise effectively with other departments, including manufacturing, costing, sales, and marketing, to ensure seamless product development and launch.
- Provide technical support and assistance to the production department during the mass production phase of new products.
- Maintain a comprehensive knowledge base of existing Interwood Mobel (IWM) products.
📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed go beyond typical product design, encompassing aspects of product lifecycle management, manufacturing liaison, and market readiness. This suggests a need for a candidate who can not only design but also understand the operational implications of design decisions within a manufacturing and retail context.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, Furniture Design, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field from a reputable institution.
- A strong portfolio demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of design principles and practical application is highly valued.
Experience:
- 2-5 years of proven experience in product design, with a focus on furniture or interior design products.
- Demonstrated experience in creating detailed production drawings, technical specifications, and BOMs.
- Experience working within a manufacturing environment or closely with production teams is advantageous.
Required Skills:
- Product Design Expertise: Deep understanding of furniture design principles, materials, and manufacturing processes.
- Technical Drawing Proficiency: Advanced skills in creating detailed production drawings, blueprints, and technical specifications.
- Software Proficiency: Expert-level skills in AutoCAD for technical drawings.
- 3D Modeling & Rendering: Proficiency in 3DSMAX or Cinema 4D for concept visualization and prototyping.
- CAD Software: Advanced knowledge of IMOS for furniture design and configuration.
- Market Analysis: Ability to research and interpret furniture and lifestyle trends.
- Cross-functional Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration with various departments.
- Problem-Solving: Strong analytical skills to identify design gaps and propose effective solutions.
- Technical Know-How: Solid understanding of manufacturing processes and quality control parameters.
Preferred Skills:
- Familiarity with Bill of Materials (BOM) creation and verification processes.
- Experience assisting in mass production planning and execution.
- Knowledge of sales, product, and marketing feedback integration into design cycles.
- Experience with mood board creation for customer presentations.
- Understanding of costing processes relevant to product development.
📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on specific software like AutoCAD, IMOS, and 3DSMAX, alongside practical responsibilities like production drawings and BOM verification, points towards a role that requires strong technical execution and an understanding of manufacturing operations. The ideal candidate will possess a blend of creative design skills and operational execution capabilities.
📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
- Production Drawing Samples: Showcase a range of detailed production drawings for furniture items, including dimensions, materials, and assembly instructions.
- 3D Renderings & Concepts: Include visualizations created in 3DSMAX or Cinema 4D, demonstrating the ability to translate concepts into tangible forms.
- IMOS Design Examples: If possible, provide examples of designs created or configured using IMOS, highlighting its application in furniture layout and specification.
- Technical Specification Documents: Present examples of technical specification sheets or cutting lists developed for manufactured products.
- Mood Board Examples: Demonstrate the ability to create compelling mood boards that convey product aesthetics and lifestyle integration.
- Process Improvement Case Studies: Include at least one case study detailing how a design modification or new product introduction led to improved production efficiency, reduced costs, or enhanced market reception.
Process Documentation:
- Workflow Design: Examples of how design workflows are managed, from initial concept to final production-ready documentation.
- Software Integration: Evidence of how different design software (e.g., 3DSMAX to AutoCAD, or AutoCAD to IMOS) are integrated for seamless data transfer and workflow efficiency.
- Quality Parameter Definition: Documentation outlining how quality parameters are defined and communicated to the production team for new products.
📝 Enhancement Note: For a role with such a strong emphasis on production-readiness, the portfolio is critical. It should not only display aesthetic design but also the technical rigor and operational understanding required to bring products to market efficiently. Candidates should highlight their ability to create documentation that directly supports manufacturing and sales.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: PKR 80,000 - 150,000 per month (estimated)
Methodology: This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for Product Designers with 2-5 years of experience in Lahore, Pakistan, considering the specified software proficiencies and responsibilities. The range accounts for variations in specific skill sets, the depth of portfolio, and the candidate's negotiation ability. Research was conducted using local salary aggregators and general market data for similar roles in Pakistan's major cities.
Benefits:
- Medical Insurance
- Provident Fund
- EOBI (Employees' Old-Age Benefits Institution) contribution
- Paid Leaves
- Advance Salary Facility
- Paid Time Off
Working Hours:
- Standard full-time hours, likely 40 hours per week.
- Specific daily schedule to be confirmed, but typical office hours in Pakistan are from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM or 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with a 1-hour break.
📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation for Lahore, Pakistan. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate's experience, qualifications, and the company's compensation structure. The benefits listed are standard for full-time employees in Pakistan.
🎯 Team & Company Context
🏢 Company Culture
Industry: Furniture Manufacturing & Retail. Interwood Mobel is a prominent player in Pakistan's furniture industry, known for its wide range of home and office furniture. Company Size: Likely medium to large, given the scope of operations and product catalog, suggesting established processes and a structured environment. Founded: Founded in 1975, Interwood Mobel has a long-standing history and significant market presence, indicating a culture that values experience, stability, and continuous adaptation.
Team Structure:
- The Product Designer will likely be part of the Research & Development (R&D) or Product Development department.
- This team will collaborate closely with departments such as Sales, Marketing, Production, and Costing.
- Reporting structure will likely be to a Product Development Manager or Head of Design.
Methodology:
- Data-Driven Design: Utilizing market trend analysis and competitor insights to inform design decisions.
- Iterative Design Process: Employing feedback loops from sales, product, and marketing teams to refine existing designs.
- Technical Documentation Focus: Emphasizing the creation of precise production drawings, cutting lists, and quality parameters to ensure manufacturing accuracy.
- Cross-functional Collaboration: Maintaining strong communication channels with all stakeholders involved in the product lifecycle.
Company Website: https://iwm.com.pk/
📝 Enhancement Note: Interwood Mobel's long history suggests a company that balances traditional manufacturing practices with a need to innovate. The Product Designer role is central to this innovation, requiring an understanding of both creative design and the operational realities of a large-scale furniture manufacturer.
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: Mid-Level. This role is crucial for bringing new products to market, acting as a bridge between conceptual design and commercial viability. It requires independent execution of design tasks and collaboration with multiple departments.
Reporting Structure:
- Reports to a Product Development Manager or Head of Design.
- Works closely with teams in Sales, Marketing, Production, and Costing.
Operations Impact:
- Directly influences product line expansion and market competitiveness.
- Contributes to revenue generation through the successful introduction of new, desirable products.
- Impacts manufacturing efficiency and quality through precise production drawings and specifications.
- Plays a role in customer satisfaction by ensuring designs meet market needs and quality expectations.
Growth Opportunities:
- Senior Product Designer: Taking on more complex projects, leading design initiatives for specific product categories, and mentoring junior designers.
- Product Development Manager: Moving into a leadership role overseeing the entire product development lifecycle, including strategy, market research, and team management.
- Specialization: Deepening expertise in specific areas like sustainable design, smart furniture technology, or advanced manufacturing integration within design.
- Cross-functional Transition: Opportunities to move into roles within Product Management or GTM Operations, leveraging design knowledge for strategic market planning.
📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth within product development, with potential to move into management or specialized design areas. The strong link to GTM operations also presents opportunities for career diversification into strategic market-facing roles.
🌐 Work Environment
Office Type: On-site. This role requires physical presence for collaboration, access to design software, and interaction with physical product prototypes or manufacturing samples.
Office Location(s): Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. This indicates a dynamic urban setting with potential access to industry resources and talent.
Workspace Context:
- Collaborative Environment: The role necessitates close interaction with various departments, suggesting an open or semi-open office layout that encourages communication and teamwork.
- Design Studio Resources: Access to necessary design software (AutoCAD, IMOS, 3DSMAX), potentially 3D printers, material samples, and other design tools.
- Cross-functional Interaction: Regular meetings and ad-hoc discussions with sales, marketing, and production teams to ensure alignment and address design challenges.
Work Schedule:
- Full-time, Monday to Friday, typical office hours.
- Potential for occasional overtime during critical product launch phases or production support needs.
📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is crucial for this role, emphasizing the need for direct collaboration with manufacturing and sales teams, as well as hands-on work with design tools and potentially physical prototypes.
📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
- Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio for relevant experience, skills, and software proficiency.
- Technical Interview: Discussion of design philosophy, software expertise (AutoCAD, IMOS, 3DSMAX), and understanding of furniture manufacturing processes. Candidates may be asked to walk through specific design projects.
- Practical Assessment/Case Study: A design challenge may be presented, requiring the candidate to develop a concept, create preliminary sketches or 3D models, and outline production considerations. This could involve modifying an existing design or proposing a new one based on a brief.
- Cross-functional Panel Interview: Meeting with representatives from Sales, Marketing, and Production to assess communication, collaboration, and understanding of GTM requirements.
- Final Interview: Discussion with senior management or Head of Department to evaluate cultural fit, long-term potential, and strategic alignment.
Portfolio Review Tips:
- Highlight Technical Rigor: Clearly showcase your production drawings, cutting lists, and BOM verification experience. Demonstrate how your designs are manufacturable and cost-effective.
- Showcase Software Proficiency: Include examples of work done in AutoCAD, IMOS, and 3DSMAX/Cinema 4D. Be prepared to discuss your workflow and how you leverage these tools.
- Present Process & Problem-Solving: For each project, explain the design brief, your process, the challenges faced, and how you overcame them with specific solutions. Quantify results where possible (e.g., "design modification reduced material waste by X%").
- Demonstrate Market Awareness: Include projects that show an understanding of current furniture and lifestyle trends.
- Tailor to IWM: Research Interwood Mobel's product lines and target market. If possible, include projects that align with their aesthetic or market positioning.
Challenge Preparation:
- Understand Manufacturing Constraints: Be prepared to discuss how design decisions impact production costs, timelines, and quality.
- Focus on Practicality: For any design challenge, prioritize solutions that are feasible for mass production within the furniture industry.
- Articulate GTM Alignment: Be ready to explain how your design decisions support sales objectives and marketing messaging.
📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes both creative design skills and operational execution. A strong portfolio that demonstrates technical competence and an understanding of manufacturing and GTM considerations will be critical.
🛠 Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
- AutoCAD: Essential for creating detailed 2D production drawings, blueprints, and technical specifications.
- IMOS: Crucial for furniture design, planning, configuration, and potentially generating cutting lists or production data.
- 3DSMAX / Cinema 4D: Used for 3D modeling, visualization, rendering, and concept development.
- Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint): For documentation, BOM management, presentations, and general productivity.
Analytics & Reporting:
- Internal Sales/Marketing Data: Understanding and potentially using data from sales performance and market feedback to inform design adjustments.
- Competitor Analysis Tools (Informal): Researching competitor products through websites, showrooms, and industry reports.
CRM & Automation:
- While not directly a CRM role, understanding how product information enters and is utilized by sales systems (e.g., product catalogs, spec sheets) is beneficial.
- Awareness of any product lifecycle management (PLM) software used by the company would be advantageous.
📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in AutoCAD, IMOS, and 3DSMAX/Cinema 4D is non-negotiable for this role. The ability to leverage these tools for both creative visualization and technical production documentation is key.
👥 Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
- Precision & Detail: A strong emphasis on accuracy in all drawings, specifications, and data to minimize errors in production and sales.
- Efficiency & Optimization: Continuously seeking ways to streamline the design process and improve product manufacturability and cost-effectiveness.
- Collaboration & Communication: Valuing open dialogue and teamwork across departments to ensure product success from concept to customer.
- Customer Focus: Designing products that meet market demands, aesthetic preferences, and quality expectations of the end consumer.
- Innovation & Trend Awareness: Encouraging creativity while staying informed about evolving furniture and lifestyle trends.
Collaboration Style:
- Cross-functional Integration: Actively engaging with sales to understand market needs, with marketing for brand alignment, and with production for feasibility.
- Feedback-Driven Improvement: Open to constructive criticism and using feedback from all stakeholders to iterate and improve designs.
- Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share design insights, technical knowledge, and trend research with team members and related departments.
📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture likely values a blend of creative output and rigorous execution. The Product Designer is expected to be a team player who can translate creative vision into tangible, marketable, and manufacturable products.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
- Balancing Creativity with Constraints: Effectively integrating artistic vision with manufacturing limitations, cost targets, and market demands.
- Managing Multiple Projects: Juggling various design projects simultaneously, each with different timelines and requirements.
- Staying Ahead of Trends: Continuously researching and adapting to rapidly evolving furniture and lifestyle trends in a competitive market.
- Ensuring Production Feasibility: Translating complex designs into clear, actionable instructions for mass production, minimizing potential issues.
- Cross-Departmental Alignment: Navigating differing priorities and communication styles across Sales, Marketing, and Production.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
- Advanced Software Training: Deepening expertise in IMOS, AutoCAD, or 3D modeling software through specialized courses or certifications.
- Material Science & Manufacturing Processes: Exploring new materials and advanced manufacturing techniques relevant to the furniture industry.
- Product Management Fundamentals: Gaining insights into strategic product planning, market analysis, and lifecycle management.
- Sustainability in Design: Learning about eco-friendly materials, manufacturing processes, and design for circularity.
- Leadership Development: Opportunities to take on project leadership, mentor junior designers, and contribute to strategic design planning.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant opportunities for professional growth by tackling complex design challenges and fostering continuous learning in a dynamic industry.
💡 Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
- "Describe a time you had to balance creative vision with strict manufacturing constraints. How did you resolve it?"
- Preparation: Prepare a specific example from your portfolio. Highlight your problem-solving process, communication with production, and the trade-offs you made.
- "How do you stay updated on the latest furniture and lifestyle trends? Can you give an example of a recent trend you've incorporated into a design?"
- Preparation: Research current trends in home decor and furniture. Be ready to discuss your personal research methods and how you translate trends into practical designs.
- "Walk me through your process for creating production drawings and a Bill of Materials for a new furniture product."
- Preparation: Be ready to explain your workflow from concept to detailed technical documentation, emphasizing accuracy and detail.
- "How do you ensure your designs are feasible for mass production and within cost targets?"
- Preparation: Discuss your understanding of manufacturing processes, material costs, and how you collaborate with costing and production teams.
Company & Culture Questions:
- "What do you know about Interwood Mobel and our product range? How do you see your design skills contributing to our brand?"
- Preparation: Thoroughly research IWM's website, product catalog, and recent news. Identify aspects of their brand and products you admire and how your skills align.
- "Describe your ideal working relationship with sales, marketing, and production teams."
- Preparation: Emphasize your collaborative approach, communication skills, and understanding of each department's role in product success.
- "How do you handle constructive criticism on your designs?"
- Preparation: Showcase an open and adaptable mindset, focusing on how feedback leads to better outcomes.
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
- Structure: Organize your portfolio by project. For each project, include:
- The design brief/problem statement.
- Your conceptualization process (sketches, mood boards).
- Detailed production drawings and technical specifications.
- 3D renderings and visualizations.
- Any manufacturing or costing considerations.
- The outcome or impact of the design.
- Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly call out your proficiency in AutoCAD, IMOS, and 3DSMAX/Cinema 4D within project descriptions.
- Focus on GTM Impact: For each project, explain how the design addresses market needs, contributes to sales, or supports the brand.
- Be Concise and Engaging: Practice presenting your work clearly and concisely, focusing on the most impactful aspects. Be prepared for detailed questions about your process.
📝 Enhancement Note: Thorough preparation, especially regarding software proficiency and the ability to articulate the GTM implications of design, will be key to success in the interview process.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this Product Designer position:
- Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.
- Portfolio Tailoring: Ensure your resume and portfolio are specifically tailored to highlight your experience in furniture design, production drawings, and proficiency in AutoCAD, IMOS, and 3DSMAX/Cinema 4D.
- Resume Optimization: Use keywords from the job description, such as "Product Design," "Production Drawings," "AutoCAD," "IMOS," "Mass Production," and "Bill of Materials," to ensure ATS compatibility. Quantify your achievements whenever possible.
- Interview Preparation: Practice answering common product design interview questions and be ready to present your portfolio with confidence, focusing on your technical skills and GTM contributions.
- Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Interwood Mobel's product range, brand identity, and market position to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural fit.
⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.
Application Requirements
Candidates should have complete product knowledge of existing products and be aware of competitors. Proficiency in design-related software, particularly AutoCAD and IMOS, is essential.