Description
Trove Brands is seeking a CMF Designer to turn emerging trends and creative ideas into innovative, manufacturable finishes. This role partners closely with Brand, Design, Engineering, Product Development, Regulatory & Compliance, and Manufacturing.
Key Responsibilities:
- Research emerging CMF, consumer, lifestyle, and manufacturing trends and translate them into new finish opportunities.
- Explore materials, coatings, surface treatments, textures, graphics, and application processes within and beyond the drinkware industry.
- Develop tangible finish concepts, samples, and technical possibilities to share with Product Development and Brand partners.
- Identify supplier technologies and manufacturing capabilities that could unlock new product experiences.
- Partner with Brand and Design teams to translate creative ideas into technically achievable CMF solutions.
- Develop finishes for existing and future product platforms, translating creative intent into clear technical targets.
- Work directly with factories and suppliers to develop, sample, refine, and manufacture new finishes.
- Bridge creative intent and manufacturing reality, troubleshooting challenges with Engineering, Quality, Compliance, Product Development, and suppliers.
- Evaluate paints, coatings, plastics, materials, and application processes against performance and manufacturing requirements.
- Coordinate and conduct testing for durability, adhesion, chemical resistance, wear, appearance, and other relevant criteria.
- Document testing, results, findings, development learnings, and technical specifications.
- Ensure finishes meet applicable performance, quality, regulatory, and compliance requirements before production.
- Create and maintain a CMF finish database and physical library of approved finishes, processes, specifications, test results, and regulatory documentation.
Required Qualifications:
- 3–5 years of experience in CMF, industrial design, product design, materials, product development, or a related field.
- Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, Material Design/Science, or a related discipline,or equivalent demonstrated experience.
- Strong curiosity about materials, finishes, manufacturing processes, and how things are made.
- Ability to recognize trends and translate inspiration into practical product and manufacturing opportunities.
- A hands-on mindset and comfort working with physical samples, prototypes, testing, and technical documentation.
- Strong attention to detail, organization, problem-solving, and communication skills.
- A collaborative approach and ability to work effectively across creative, technical, supplier, and manufacturing teams.
- Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite and familiarity with 3D visualization/CAD tools such as KeyShot, SolidWorks, or similar tools.
- Exposure to finish and material testing methods for adhesion, durability, abrasion, chemical resistance, and other product performance requirements.
- Comfort using technical documentation and database tools to maintain finish specifications, test results, approvals, supplier information, and regulatory records.
- Ability to work hands-on with physical samples, prototypes, supplier submissions, and manufacturing standards throughout the development process.
- Portfolio required, demonstrating relevant CMF, product design, material/finish development, or related work that showcases your experience, process, and technical thinking.
Benefits:
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision care
- 401k package with employer matching
- Paid Time Off
- Maternity/Paternity leave
- Full indoor basketball/volleyball court
- Fully equipped fitness center
- Yoga studio
- Meditation/Nap room