Vice President- Design & Advanced Development - job 2 of 2

As the Vice President of Design & Advanced Development at SharkNinja, your responsibilities include leading the Front-End Innovation team, creating compelling product concepts, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure designs are grounded in practicality. You will inspire and mentor a team of designers and engineers while driving a culture of creative exploration, technically feasible innovation, and consumer obsession.

To qualify as Vice President of Design & Advanced Development at SharkNinja, you should possess a degree in Product Design Engineering, Industrial Design, or a related field, along with 15+ years of experience in product design and innovation. A strong portfolio demonstrating design excellence and leadership experience in developing creative teams is essential.

At SharkNinja, innovation is at the core of the VP of Design & Advanced Development role. You will have the opportunity to lead hands-on creative projects, encourage cross-functional teamwork, and explore emerging technologies, combining user insights and market trends to develop category-changing products that resonate deeply with consumers.

Success in the Vice President of Design & Advanced Development role at SharkNinja hinges on a blend of creative and technical skills. Strong storytelling abilities, proficiency in product design and engineering, and a deep understanding of high-volume manufacturing will enable you to inspire and guide teams towards developing innovative, market-leading products that truly enhance consumer experiences.

SharkNinja promotes an Outrageously Extraordinary culture that encourages breaking barriers, creativity, and diversity. As the Vice President of Design & Advanced Development, you will be part of an inclusive environment where your ideas are valued, your voice is heard, and innovation is continuously pursued. It's a place where making a meaningful impact is encouraged and celebrated.

In responding to this question, discuss a specific project where you played a critical leadership role. Highlight your design process, how you guided your team, what challenges you faced, and the measurable outcome of the project. This showcases your ability to lead and innovate effectively.

Share your strategy for integrating storytelling into the design process. Explain how narratives help connect consumers with products and discuss techniques you use to present concepts in a compelling manner to both your team and stakeholders.

Describe specific strategies you employ to encourage a creative environment, such as brainstorming sessions, workshops, or collaborative projects. Highlight the importance of giving team members the freedom to explore and share innovative ideas.

Discuss your approach to balancing creativity and practicality. Explain how you work closely with engineering and production teams, applying your knowledge of manufacturing processes to refine designs while keeping consumer needs at the forefront.

Illustrate your methods for staying informed about trends, such as attending conferences, networking, or reviewing market reports. Stress the importance of using insights to guide your design vision and product strategy.

Outline your structured approach to innovation, from brainstorming and concept development to prototyping and testing. Discuss how you involve your team and gather consumer insights to shape ideas that resonate in the market.

Reflect on a situation where you had to adapt your design due to new information or feedback. Detail the challenges faced, your decision-making process, and the positive outcome that resulted from being flexible.

Share the key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics you focus on after a product launch. Discuss how consumer feedback, sales data, and market performance inform the success of a design.

Talk about your mentoring approach, including how you provide feedback, encourage junior designers to express their creativity, and guide them through their professional development.

Provide your vision for the future of product design, considering elements such as sustainability, technology integration, or changes in consumer behavior. Your response will indicate your awareness of industry evolution and where you see potential opportunities.