Design & Trend Research Intern

Company Overview

Y-Not Design & Manufacturing is a certified minority, woman-owned and Hub Zone company based in the US that specializes in global procurement and distribution of custom-made products, retail and white label items, employee recognition gifts, and sustainable promotional products. Y-Not specializes in unique, custom-designed products that extend a customer's brand from a last-minute event to an employee engagement program. The company was founded in 2005 and the owner has been in the same manufacturing and service business for over 25 years. What our customers love about us is that they can track their products all the way to the factory Our differentiators and 5 core strengths include, Quality & Safety, 1st, Customer Service, Best Pricing, Global Supply & Key Performance Metrics. Our customer base includes many of the Fortune 1,000 brands such as Google, Coca Cola and Norwegian Cruise Line to name a few.

Job Description:

As a Design & Trend Research Intern specializing in the US market for custom-made products, retail and white label items, employee recognition gifts, and promotional products, you will play a crucial role in keeping our company informed and ahead of trends. You will be responsible for conducting in-depth research, analysing data, and interpreting industry insights to identify emerging trends and consumer preferences. Your findings will directly influence our product development strategies, marketing campaigns, and overall business decisions.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Conduct thorough research on current and emerging trends in the custom products, gifting solutions, and promotional merchandise industry within the US market.
2. Monitor consumer behaviour, preferences, and purchasing patterns to identify market opportunities and potential niches.
3. Analyze data from various sources including market reports, industry publications, social media, and consumer surveys to gather actionable insights.
4. Stay updated on industry news, competitor activities, and technological advancements that could impact our business.
5. Collaborate with cross-functional teams including product development, marketing, and sales to translate research findings into actionable strategies.
6. Provide regular reports and presentations to senior management highlighting key trends, insights, and recommendations.
7. Continuously evaluate and refine research methodologies to ensure accuracy and relevance.
8. Creating a comprehensive report on trend analysis and adeptly crafting insights tailored to meet the specific needs of the project.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge in design research and trend analysis, with a focus on custom products, gifting solutions, and promotional merchandise.
• Understanding of consumer trends analysis, user preference, and purchasing behavior.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret complex data and derive actionable insights.
• Proficient in research, capable of gathering data from various sources and synthesizing information effectively.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities, with the capacity to convey research findings to stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Self-motivated and proactive, able to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Pursuing a Bachelor's/ Master's degree in design & trend research/trend forecasting or a related field; additional certifications or coursework in trend analysis or consumer behavior are advantageous.

Position Type: Night shift Internship for 3 to 6 months. Office hours: Monday to Friday, 5:00 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.

If you are passionate about staying ahead of trends, driving innovation, and making an impact in the custom products industry, we encourage you to apply and join our team!