Elho GroupElho Group is seeking a head of design to lead its team in the Netherlands.
Are you the one with a passion for design that will help us to stay relevant for our consumers now and in the future, bring more green in our daily lives and grow our business in line with our purpose? Come join our green team!
As we live our daily lives, we are constantly moving further and further away from nature. Elho wants to do something about this. We inspire people to bring more nature into people’s daily lives. With more than 55 years of experience in the synthetic pottery market, we are a leading manufacturer that makes you and nature happy.
What will be your mission?
To be relevant for consumers now and in the future, we are looking for an experienced head of design. The role involves developing beautiful and functional designs and supporting the best plant growth. The head of design is a key growth driver for the elho group and the company has a unique and leading position for this in the international green sector.
In this role you have the end responsibility to deliver the designs of all the three labels of the elho group: elho, Florus and Good(s)factory. Together with the head of innovation and working closely with the head of marketing, you define the innovation roadmap for the coming years and make sure that all the concepts are translated into strong designs which are ready on time to move to the production phase. Next to bringing your own design ideas and solutions (inspired by the world outside the company, consumers, design world, fairs etc.), you are working closely together with your internal colleagues from innovation, marketing and operation. You make sure that innovation ideas are translated in beautiful designs via the design team which reports to you and consists of three designers and an innovation process manager.
What can you specifically expect in this role?
- define and implement strategic direction for design at elho group
- work closely together with the head of innovation and head of marketing on the three years innovation strategy road map for elho, Florus and Good(s)factory and keep the total overview. Your focus is mainly product design projects for the coming one to two years for the three labels of the elho group
- keep close eye on our consumer target and competition from a design point of view
- stay connected with design world and trends
- lead, facilitate and support the team of designers and the innovation process manager who oversees the entire innovation process at elho from idea till readiness for market launch
- bring the design team professionally to the next level and secure documentation of design process and principles
- manage and closely work with innovation process manager to ensure execution and timing
- responsible to deliver each year the designs on time in full ready to go into production
- closely working together with the product management team and other disciplines (eg. production/logistics/legal/finance)
- able to lead design for aesthetics as well as cost driven designs (for example in the basic segment), depending on the needs and focus
- affinity with/curious attitude towards new raw materials/production method approaches
- exploring the usage of new technology (AI/VR etc) to increase efficiency of the design process and/or increasing the creative output of the process
- acting upon our company sustainability strategy (eg. circular design thinking) and optimising usage of waste to make beautiful products from a design perspective
- it’s a dynamic business you are working in; you oversee design/product development budget (including mould) and design resource planning/allocation
- it’s a unique role where you are fully engaged in the process from the begin of the idea/design till the phase the design is ready to produce in the production facility at the HQ and all the stages in between
- report to the CCO and connects with the elho group board
What do you bring on this adventure?
- university level/HBO in industrial design or equivalent, ten-plus years working experience
- (senior) management experience in the field of product design; good track record in a relevant design area eg. in consumer goods or home living/deco industry
- experience in synthetic product development (injection/blow moulding/rotational products) and circular design in a mass production context is a plus
- has strong affinity and has the right balance between aesthetics, technique and organisation
- oversees all relevant factors in product development, including briefing, timing, aesthetics, producibility, prototyping, costs, testing, legal, etc
- international mindset (preferably Dutch or international living in the Netherlands)
- experienced in and able to engage with a multidisciplinary team and external partners. You have a creative as well as technical eye
- can easily work on strategic and operational level
- curious, decisive, pragmatic, creative, result driven; entrepreneurial, personality that is always thinking of great designs while at the same time about commercial opportunity, cost effectiveness of designs, practical considerations supply chain, material usage implications, eager to do good for the planet
- challenging the status quo and brings new ideas on the table
- excellent communication skills and relationship builders, moves easily between stakeholders (internal and external) and creates a high performing team
- strong team player
- you can easily bridge the world of designers with the product management team and other departments (and vice versa)
- knows how to leave enough room for creativity, yet have useful output on time
- excellent command of the Dutch and English language (in word and writing)
- recognise yourself in the elho group values: always forward, beauty, entrepreneurship, meaningful, cooperative and supportive
What do we offer?
- a dynamic organisation with an organisational culture that is based on full attention for their employees. Elho believes in creating a culture based on trust. A place where employees are proud of their work and who are having fun! For that reason, we are certified as a Great Place to Work
- working in a super green environment where designs transition into real products at the same location; this set-up allows you to be closely involved with your designs, seeing them evolve from concept to completion
- you work for the elho group with multiple labels. You will be given the freedom and opportunity to make your mark on the further development of the design team, our innovation funnel and elho’s culture and growth. In our green work environment there is also room for your personal growth
- working in a unique designed green office that embodies our purpose, where the vibrant lush greenery embraces you, making it a beautiful and inspirational haven for fostering creativity and innovation
- a delicious fresh lunch every day in our modern, green inspiring office in Tilburg. The honey from our own bees is delicious and enjoy the herbs you can pick from our breeding tables!
- you will have the freedom and opportunity to develop elho’s culture and growth. There is enough room for personal growth!
- very nice staff discount on elho’s pottery, two times a year
- 26 vacation days with the option to exchange a working day to work for a charity of your choice
- the most sustainable company in the pottery category and in addition, our production location runs on wind energy from our own wind turbine!
Who are we?
The elho company is a family-owned business and is proud to be recognised as a leading innovator in the synthetic pottery market. Over the past more than 55 years, elho has focused on product development and has gained considerable experience in sustainable production with a strong marketing focus. The objective is to integrate nature more deeply into everyday life. Founded in 1964, elho has continuously evolved into a strong, successful and purpose-driven organisation.
Due to new technologies and the increasing urbanisation of the world, elho is now aligning its approach with the evolving needs of its customers.
Nature is becoming increasingly important to consumers.
The elho team inspires them, demonstrates how to do so and supports their sense of style. In addition to its wide range of beautiful products in trendy colours and designs, elho offers products with clever benefits for the care of plants. It is all about finding the right style, as well as finding the right plant and pot combination. Information and inspiration are provided by the company.
Elho is the market leader in plastic planters in Europe. The family business focuses on sustainable development of new collections, with production located in the Netherlands. Currently, the planters are sold in over 75 countries to more than 8000 customers. We providing constant innovation to these customers, focusing on beauty, usability and sustainability. We build a brand that is valued by both partners and customers – a brand that represents the company’s mission and values.
Elho knows about the beneficial effects of nature: “nature makes you happy, makes your feel healthier and give you energy.” For this reason, elho has set itself the goal of bringing today’s nature into people’s daily lives. Every day – combining attractive design and ease of handling with nature’s best interests in mind.
Elho is on a journey to grow a value-oriented company. This will be made possible by its team, its ‘people first’ drive and the sustainable products they offer. Elho strives to be a great place to work. As a Certified B Corp, elho is considered a leader in the global movement for an inclusive, equitable and regenerative economy. B Corp Certification is a designation that a business is meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials.
Together we give room to nature!
Join us!
Excited about what you’re reading? Let us know more about who you are and why we should work together! You can send your CV and motivation letter via the apply for job button below to the attention of Dominique Nelemans, recruiter. Follow us on LinkedIn for news and updates. We look forward to hearing from you!
