Welcome to the Future of Consumer Innovation at Target
At Target, we don’t just sell products – we create experiences that delight millions of guests every day. Our Owned Brands Product Design & Development (OBPDP) team is the creative engine behind the “FUN 101” portfolio, which includes cutting‑edge consumer electronics, sporting goods, travel accessories, and toys. As a market‑leading retailer, Target invests heavily in forward‑thinking design, data‑driven insight, and a culture that celebrates curiosity, collaboration, and bold ideas. By joining us as a Trend & Concept Designer, you will become a catalyst for shaping the next generation of iconic products that live in homes across the nation.
Why This Role Matters
Trend design is the nervous system of product innovation. It translates cultural shifts, emerging technologies, and evolving consumer needs into visual narratives and design directions that guide product teams from concept to shelf. In this role, you will partner with merchandisers, engineers, marketers, and senior leaders to ensure that Target’s owned brands stay ahead of the curve, delivering style, performance, and value that resonates with today’s discerning shoppers.
Key Responsibilities – Your Impact in Action
- Trend Research & Insight Generation: Conduct deep‑dive research across cultural events, social media, emerging technologies, and consumer behavior to identify macro and micro trends that will shape product categories.
- Visual Storytelling: Create compelling visual presentations, mood boards, and brand concepts that translate abstract trends into concrete design language aligned with Target’s brand standards.
- Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Partner with the Trend Team, merchandising partners, and design engineers to deliver comprehensive macro‑trend reports and actionable concept briefs.
- Concept Development: Lead the ideation and refinement of product concepts for assigned categories, ensuring they address market gaps, guest needs, and revenue potential.
- Competitive Landscape Analysis: Monitor best‑in‑class products across the market, identify white‑space opportunities, and articulate strategic recommendations for differentiation.
- Financial Acumen: Develop and maintain ROI dashboards, evaluate cost implications, and collaborate with finance to ensure concepts meet profitability targets.
- Team Mentorship: Coach associate designers and junior team members, fostering a learning environment that encourages creative risk‑taking and professional growth.
- Project Management: Oversee multiple simultaneous projects, maintain detailed timelines, and deliver high‑quality output within fast‑paced retail cycles.
- Stakeholder Communication: Synthesize complex research findings into clear, concise presentations tailored for executives, product managers, and external partners.
Essential Qualifications – The Foundation of Success
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Architecture, Fashion, Graphic Design, or a closely related discipline; equivalent professional experience is also considered.
- Experience: 4–6 years of hands‑on experience in trend design, concept development, or product design within a retail, consumer‑goods, or agency environment. Retail experience is highly valued.
- Research Mastery: Proven ability to leverage trend‑forecasting tools, cultural calendars, and social listening platforms to surface actionable insights.
- Communication Excellence: Outstanding written and verbal presentation skills, with a knack for storytelling that inspires cross‑functional teams.
- Design Thinking: Strong strategic mindset, capable of translating ambiguous cultural signals into concrete product directions.
- Technical Proficiency: Expert level in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) and solid working knowledge of Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Excel, Word).
- Commercial Sensibility: Keen eye for color trends, material finishes, and design aesthetics that balance creativity with market viability.
- Collaboration & Relationship Building: Demonstrated success partnering with engineers, merchandisers, and external vendors to drive projects forward.
- Independence & Initiative: Self‑motivated, able to thrive in a remote environment, and comfortable managing workload with minimal supervision.
- Travel Flexibility: Willingness to travel periodically for HQ visits, supplier tours, or industry events as business needs dictate.
Preferred Qualifications – The Extra Edge
- Advanced degree (MFA, MA) or specialized certifications in trend forecasting or strategic design.
- Experience with emerging technology platforms such as AR/VR, IoT, or sustainable material innovation.
- Proficiency in data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI) to enhance trend reporting.
- Familiarity with global manufacturing processes for both hard and soft goods.
- Published work in design or trend‑forecasting publications, or involvement in speaking engagements at industry conferences.
Core Skills & Competencies for High Performance
- Analytical Insight: Ability to distill large data sets and cultural signals into clear, strategic takeaways.
- Creative Vision: Strong aesthetic judgment and the capacity to imagine future‑forward product experiences.
- Strategic Alignment: Understanding of Target’s brand pillars, guest personas, and market positioning to ensure every concept fits the larger brand narrative.
- Project Leadership: Skilled at setting milestones, allocating resources, and steering multi‑disciplinary teams toward shared goals.
- Adaptive Agility: Comfortable navigating shifting priorities and tight deadlines inherent to the retail calendar.
- Empathy & Guest‑Centricity: Passion for uncovering real guest needs and translating them into delightful design solutions.
Career Growth & Learning Opportunities
Target is committed to the lifelong development of its people. As a Trend & Concept Designer, you will have access to a suite of learning resources, including:
- Professional Development Stipends for conferences, certifications, and workshops.
- Mentorship Programs pairing you with senior design leaders across the organization.
- Cross‑Functional Rotations that allow you to experience the full product lifecycle—from ideation in design labs to real‑world testing in the supply chain.
- Innovation Labs where you can experiment with emerging technologies (e.g., AI‑driven design tools, sustainable material prototyping) under a supportive incubator environment.
These pathways enable you to deepen expertise, broaden your influence, and potentially advance into senior leadership roles, such as Senior Trend Director, Head of Product Innovation, or Global Brand Strategy Lead.
Work Environment & Company Culture
Our culture is built on the belief that curiosity fuels progress. At Target, you will experience:
- Inclusive Collaboration: Diverse teams that celebrate varied perspectives and encourage open dialogue.
- Remote‑First Flexibility: Full‑time remote work with up to four annual visits to our headquarters for team building, strategy workshops, and community events.
- Hybrid “Flex for Your Day” Model: Blend of remote and on‑site work tailored to project needs, ensuring you can balance creativity with personal life.
- Values‑Driven Leadership: Leaders who champion integrity, stewardship, and a commitment to creating a better world for guests and teammates.
- Recognition Programs: Regular acknowledgment of innovative contributions through awards, spot bonuses, and public showcases.
Compensation, Perks & Benefits – Investing in You
We offer a competitive salary aligned with market benchmarks for trend‑design expertise, complemented by a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage with multiple plan options.
- Generous paid time off (PTO) and holiday schedule.
- 401(k) plan with company match.
- Employee discount program for Target merchandise.
- Wellness stipend for fitness, mental‑health resources, or personal development.
- Flexible spending accounts (FSA) and health‑savings accounts (HSA).
- Parental leave, adoption assistance, and family support services.
- Commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement for continued education.
How to Apply – Take the First Step Toward a Trend‑Setting Career
If you are ready to champion the next wave of consumer innovation and leave a lasting imprint on one of America’s most beloved retailers, we want to hear from you. The application process is simple:
- Click the “Apply Now” button below.
- Submit your resume, portfolio (highlighting trend research and concept work), and a brief cover letter describing your passion for design and how you stay ahead of cultural shifts.
- Our recruitment team will review your materials and reach out promptly to discuss next steps.
Join us at Target and turn insight into inspiration, concepts into categories, and trends into timeless products that guests love.
Ready to Make an Impact?
Click the link below to start your application today. We look forward to welcoming a visionary Trend & Concept Designer to our dynamic OBPDP family.
Apply Now