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Winnebago

Head of Design Job at Winnebago in Nappanee

Winnebago, Nappanee, IN, US, 46550

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A Little About Us: Operating since 1968, Newmar Corporation has been helping customers explore the outdoor lifestyle, enabling extraordinary mobile experiences as they travel, live, work, and play. Newmar has been synonymous in the RV industry with luxury, quality, and innovative motor coaches. In every part of our company, we relentlessly pursue continuous improvement and enhanced productivity, driving out waste, and creating meaningful strategic differentiation. Newmar is part of Winnebago Industries, Inc. a leading U.S. manufacturer of outdoor lifestyle experiences under the Winnebago, Newmar, Grand Design, Chris-Craft, and Barletta brands . Primary Objective of Position: This individual is ultimately responsible for making Newmar the undisputed leader of luxury motorcoach design. The ideal candidate will be an expert in the luxury vehicle space and have a track record of delivering seamlessly integrated product designs inclusive of interior, exterior, lighting, color, and usability systems. Additionally, this person will be adept in executing the vision by working across functions to create buy in, break down barriers, and leverage process partners to enhance what is possible. Each design will be tailored to the persona(s) of a given model and deliver on our brand promise and on budget. This role will be challenging and require establishing new ways of working as a change agent that pushes the company forward, which will be immensely rewarding both personally and professionally. Key Areas of Responsibility Define the Future of Luxury Motorcoach Design Lead the creative vision and strategic direction for all interior and exterior design across the Newmar portfolio. Push the Boundaries of Possibility Champion breakthrough thinking by challenging norms, introducing new materials and technologies, and elevating the role of design as a strategic driver of product innovation. Lead Persona-Based Design Strategy Architect interiors and exteriors around deep customer understanding—ensuring every motorcoach is tailored to the lifestyle, aesthetic, and emotional needs of its intended persona. Curate Signature Design Elements Develop and implement distinctive, ownable design details that create an unmistakable Newmar identity inside and out across product classes. Inspire and Direct Cross-Functional Execution Collaborate with engineering, project management, sourcing, manufacturing, and marketing to bring ambitious concepts to life—balancing creative vision with executional excellence. Oversee Full Interior Experience Portfolio Direct the development and refinement of all interior components, including finishes, lighting, materials, cabinetry, surfaces, textiles, soft goods, and spatial flow. Set the Standard for Craftsmanship and Usability Ensure that every touchpoint delivers intuitive functionality, premium quality, and a deeply luxurious customer experience. Create a Culture of Design-Led Innovation Act as a transformational leader and change agent—introducing new design processes, creative tools, and cross-functional practices that elevate how the company designs products. Lead Annual Refreshes and Forward Planning Oversee the design update cycle, guiding everything from end caps to fabric and finish selection to supplier innovation reviews. Represent Newmar at the Industry’s Leading Edge Stay at the forefront of luxury design trends and emerging technologies through active participation in design shows, material showcases, and supplier collaborations—bringing fresh ideas back to inform Newmar’s roadmap. Mentor and Develop the Design Team Lead, inspire, and grow a team of engineers and designers—establishing a culture of creativity, collaboration, and accountability that fuels exceptional outcomes. Limited travel required. Key Attributes Design Expertise & Vision Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design, Industrial Design, Design Engineering, Architecture, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred. 10+ years of progressive design leadership experience, with a focus on premium/luxury interior environments (automotive, aviation, marine, hospitality, or residential). Deep knowledge of materials, finishes, lighting, space planning, and customer-centric design principles. Strong design portfolio demonstrating excellence in concept development, storytelling, and execution across complex products or environments. Leadership & Strategic Impact Proven ability to lead and inspire multidisciplinary teams through ambiguity and growth. Track record of building consensus across departments while driving transformational change. Experience setting and executing strategic design direction within a manufacturing or product-driven company. Innovation & Change Leadership Passion for pushing the envelope in material application, sustainability, digital tools, and human-centered design. Comfortable introducing new tools, processes, and standards to evolve legacy ways of working. Adept at turning visionary ideas into operational realities without compromising creativity. Execution & Business Acumen Strong cross-functional skills, including the ability to balance creative ambition with cost, manufacturability, and timing. Experience working closely with suppliers, engineers, and production teams to realize high-quality outcomes at scale. Excellent organizational, budgeting, and time management skills. Communication & Influence Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to advocate for design vision at all levels of the organization. Comfortable leading executive reviews, customer-facing discussions, and vendor partnerships. Cultural Fit & Brand Alignment Deep appreciation for craftsmanship, storytelling, and emotional connection in product design. A genuine passion for elevating the RV lifestyle and creating interiors that delight and inspire customers. Portfolio of past work requested #J-18808-Ljbffr