Director of Industrial Design (Full-time)

Director of Industrial Design (Full-time)

About the Company: Natureich is an internationally operating e-commerce company headquartered in Munich, specializing in premium consumer products across multiple brands. We are committed to designing innovative products that people desire deeply, creating iconic items that improve the quality of life.

Position Overview: We are seeking a visionary Director of Industrial Design—our own "Jonathan Ive"—who can conceptualize, design, and bring to market groundbreaking products that evoke an immediate and passionate consumer reaction of: "I really want that." This role requires creativity, strategic thinking, detailed market research, and precise execution.

Mission: Your mission is to identify, validate, design, and deliver one exceptional, innovative product per year that customers profoundly desire, ensuring market viability, economic feasibility, and scalable mass adoption. You will lead the entire design process—from idea sketching, prototyping, and testing to final manufacturing.

Outcome-Oriented Goals (KPIs):
• Innovative Product Creation: Successfully develop 1 completely new product per year that doesn't exist in the current market.
• Market Validation: Achieve at least a 15% conversion rate in initial market tests for each new product.
• Economic Efficiency: Reduce initial projected production costs by 30% through design optimization and effective resource allocation.
• Design Proactivity: Generate and critically evaluate at least 10 potential product ideas per month.
• Continuous Improvement: Implement at least 5 meaningful product or packaging improvements per month, documented clearly.
• Team Integration: Ensure 100% alignment of the design process with Dieter Rams' "Ten Principles of

1. Good design is innovative
2. Good design makes a product useful
3. Good design is aesthetic
4. Good design makes a product understandable
5. Good design is unobtrusive
6. Good design is honest
7. Good design is long-lasting
8. Good design is thorough down to the last detail
9. Good design is environmentally-friendly
10. Good design is as little design as possible

Key Performance Indicator (KPI): Product Design
• Scope: All activities to develop an innovative product eliciting strong consumer desire.
• Purpose: Create iconic products that genuinely enhance quality of life.
• Performance Baseline: Conduct full economic feasibility analysis on each product concept; ensure weekly tracking of idea evaluations, prototyping, and design optimizations.
• Actions & Behaviours: Regular market research, product sketching, prototyping, continuous refinement, and resource procurement; meticulous adherence to high-quality design standards and patent filings.
• Implementation Plan: KPIs tracked rigorously in Excel; weekly OKR meetings to evaluate progress; adherence to structured product development and innovation protocols.
• Measurement: Weekly progress updates in teaUpgrade to see actual infoetings; quarterly detailed performance reviews.
• Accountability: Non-negotiable minimum KPIs; failing to meet standards results in structured coaching, Performance Improvement Plans (PIP), or role reassignment.
• Usage: Development of iconic products to generate substantial new revenue streams and significantly enhance consumer lifestyles.
Responsibilities:
• Lead ideation, market research, and product validation processes.
• Create detailed, compelling product designs and prototypes.
• Conduct economic viability analyses to ensure market success.
• Collaborate closely with manufacturing, marketing, and supply chain teams.
• Continuously refine products based on customer feedback and market insights.
• Ensure all designs adhere strictly to the principles of Dieter Rams and Jonathan Ive—focusing on minimalism, clarity, and user-centric design.
Competencies:
• Innovation: Ability to challenge the status quo and introduce groundbreaking solutions.
• Planning and Organizing: Meticulous planning of design processes and product timelines.
• Problem Analysis and Problem Solving: Effective identification and resolution of design and market-related issues.
• Strategic Thinking: Capability to assess market potential accurately and act decisively.
• Continuous Learning: Regularly updates design knowledge and skill sets.
• Resource Allocation: Efficient use of financial and material resources to optimize costs.
• Risk Taking: Ability to pursue bold ideas with calculated risks.
Company Culture Fit:
• Integrity and Honesty: Always communicate transparently and act ethically.
• Performance Excellence: Consistently deliver top-quality, market-driven designs.
• Continuous Optimization: Seek ongoing improvements in product design and execution.
• Visionary Mindset: Clearly visualize final product success and passionately pursue it.
• Emotional Connection: Design products that resonate emotionally with consumers.

Position Details: Full-time position, based in Munich (or remote flexibility with regular Munich visits).
How to Apply: Send your resume, portfolio showcasing iconic and innovative designs, and a brief cover letter explaining your vision and why you're the perfect fit for this role to Mario Moosbauer at Upgrade to see actual info more information: Visit Upgrade to see actual info.

We look forward to designing the future with you!

Keywords: Industrial Design, Product Innovation, Iconic Design, User-Centric, Jonathan Ive, Dieter Rams, Design Thinking, Market Validation, Prototyping, Product Development, Manufacturing, Innovation Management, Economic Analysis, KPI Tracking.