Fixture Design Project Lead

Job Title: Fixture Design Project Lead
Location: Dublin, CA — Onsite Tuesday through Thursday
Employment Type: Contract
Duration: 6 Months initially, with potential extension
Start Date: ASAP

Position Overview

We are seeking aFixture Design Project Lead to support the development, manufacturing, and implementation of retail fixtures within a large-scale retail environment.

This role combinesproject management, fixture/furniture design knowledge, vendor management, manufacturing coordination, and hands-on problem solving. The ideal candidate understands how retail fixtures are designed, prototyped, manufactured, tested, and installed and can effectively coordinate multiple projects, vendors, timelines, and deliverables.

The Fixture Design Project Lead will work closely with internal design, store operations, and project teams as well as external fixture manufacturers and suppliers to ensure fixtures meetdesign intent, quality standards, functionality requirements, manufacturability, and project schedules.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage fixture-related projects frominitial concept and development through prototyping, production, and store implementation.
• Coordinate with fixture manufacturers and suppliers to manage project schedules, milestones, deliverables, and deadlines.
• Evaluate vendor capabilities, including:
  • Manufacturing processes
  • Materials and finishes
  • Quality practices
  • Production capacity
  • Logistics
  • Production lead times
• Review and evaluatetechnical drawings, manufacturer drawings, renderings, specifications, prototypes, and assembly documentation.
• Provide clear technical direction and feedback to vendors and follow up on open issues through project meetings, reviews, and written communication.
• Support the creation and refinement ofassembly instructions and manufacturing documentation.
• Partner with internal teams to support fixture requirements fornew stores, remodels, store refreshes, and other retail initiatives.
• Participate in prototype and sample reviews to evaluate:
  • Appearance
  • Functionality
  • Durability
  • Quality
  • Manufacturability
• Identify potentialdesign, manufacturing, quality, and scheduling risks and coordinate appropriate corrective actions.
• Support fixture testing and quality inspections using appropriate measurement and evaluation techniques.
• Assist withvendor onboarding and vendor evaluation when new manufacturing partners are being considered.
• Maintain accurate project documentation, samples, fixture information, and inventory.
• Participate in store visits and project reviews to verify that production fixtures remain consistent with approved designs and prototypes.
• Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to keep projects moving and resolve issues quickly.
• Take ownership of project deliverables and proactively communicate status, risks, and next steps.

Required Qualifications

• 1–3+ years of experience in retail, fixture manufacturing, furniture manufacturing, store development, design, product development, or a related field.
• Experience supporting or managingfixture, furniture, millwork, product development, or manufacturing projects.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to managemultiple projects, priorities, vendors, and deadlines.
• Ability to read and evaluate:
  • Technical drawings
  • Manufacturer drawings
  • Renderings
  • Specifications
  • Assembly documentation
• Working knowledge ofmanufacturing processes, materials, finishes, and quality control.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent organizational and follow-through skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, particularly when working withvendors, manufacturers, and cross-functional teams.
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently, take ownership, and drive projects to completion.
• Proficiency withMicrosoft 365 and Adobe Acrobat.
• Comfortable working directly with physical fixtures and prototypes, includingmeasuring, inspecting, assembling, disassembling, and repositioning fixture components.
• Ability to lift and move items weighing approximately35 lbs. and use common hand/power tools and measurement equipment during prototype and fixture evaluations.
• Ability to work onsite inDublin, CA Tuesday–Thursday.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree inBusiness, Retail, Design, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience withSmartsheet.
• Experience withAdobe Photoshop.
• Experience withCAD/CAM or similar design tools.
• Knowledge ofstructural design, building codes, failure analysis, or other technical disciplines.
• Experience working with retail fixture manufacturers, millwork vendors, furniture manufacturers, or store-development teams.
• Experience supporting new store construction, remodels, or retail rollouts.
• Limited travel experience or willingness to travel for store/project visits.