About Rookwood Pottery:
Rookwood Pottery is a 140-year-old company located in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio, just steps from historic Findlay Market. We are looking for candidates to join our Ceramic Production team who can quickly learn the Rookwood way of making our beautiful, handmade architectural tile and pottery. The ideal candidate will be a team player that can perform various tasks within the facility as part of the ceramic process, making our products as efficiently and accurately as possible.
Job Summary:
Glaze team members are responsible for glazing all tile, pottery, and dinnerware forms by employing a variety of methods: spraying, pouring, dipping and antiquing. The ideal candidate will have prior glaze, air pressure spray equipment and/or ceramics experience, or the ability to quickly learn and understand how to effectively apply glaze on Rookwood product.
Key Responsibilities:
Follow daily production schedules and meet production goals set by Team Lead and ManagementGlaze tile, pottery, and dinnerware accurately and in time for due date.Become familiar with different ceramic forms and how to glaze themAble to understand and use glaze reference materials to obtain most current procedures and application notes for each formMaintain a steady output of productivity by minimizing errors and scrap numbers, while maximizing efficient practices Identify glaze and equipment issues and troubleshoot if possible or flag Team Lead when necessaryIdentify paperwork and order set-up errors and troubleshoot if possible or flag Team Lead when necessaryFollow all safety policies and procedures, including the use of a respirator mask in spray booth up to 4 hours per dayWork collaboratively with other departments to ensure a quality product is being producedFollow glaze adjustment and maintenance practices and procedures, as defined by company protocolsAssist in maintaining a clean and organized workspace Actively participate in cross-training outside the glaze departmentRequired Skills and Qualifications:
Ability to be a self-starterDemonstrated ability to be reliable and punctual Spraying experience in a manufacturing and/or ceramic environment preferredExcellent hand/eye coordinationMust be able to on your feet up to 8 hours/day and lift up to 50 lbs.Strong organizational skills and ability to multitaskMust be proficient in basic computer skillsCommitment to a safe workplace and all company regulated safety practicesDemonstrated ability to follow verbal and written instructions in English consistently and accuratelyAble/ willing to work weekends if necessaryPhysical Demands/ Work Environment:
Stand and walk for extended periods on concrete floors.Use hands to handle pottery, tools, tiles and glaze materials.Reach, bend, stoop, kneel, or crouch to perform tasks.Lift, carry, push, and pull materials up to 50 pounds.Tolerate exposure to noise, dust, and elevated temperatures.Maintain good vision and depth perception for equipment monitoring.Communicate clearly in a production environment.Commitment to Inclusion:
At Rookwood Pottery, we believe in a skills-first approach to recruitment and employment. This means focusing on what you can do and how you can grow, rather than traditional metrics alone. We are committed to adhering to anti-exclusion practices, removing barriers to access, and enhancing opportunities for all individuals based on merit and potential.
Your skills, experiences, and perspective are valuable—and we want to empower you to make your mark here with us.
Interested in applying? Submit your application. We look forward to welcoming you!
Read LessAbout Rookwood Pottery:
Rookwood Pottery is located in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio, just steps from historic Findlay Market. Founded by pioneering artist Maria Longworth-Nichols in 1880, Rookwood Pottery continues to build upon Maria's dream of a world-renowned, handcrafted ceramics company. We specialize in home decor, housewares, gifts and architectural tile. From its 88,000 sq. ft. production facility, Rookwood builds upon its rich heritage every day creating American-made, high quality ceramic pottery and tile.
Job Summary:
Rookwood Pottery is seeking a Design Program Specialist to support our growing custom architectural tile business. This role partners with clients, designers, architects, and the sales team to guide projects from initial concept through design development, quotation support, and final project completion. The Design Program Specialist helps deliver an exceptional customer experience by combining design expertise, collaboration, and Rookwood's commitment to craftsmanship.
Duties/Responsibilities:
Partner with clients, designers, architects, contractors, and the sales team to gather project requirements, understand design goals, and provide consultative guidance throughout the design process.Develop creative tile design concepts, layouts, presentations, and supporting materials that translate client inspiration into functional, production-ready solutions while showcasing Rookwood's handcrafted products.Collaborate with the sales team to review design concepts, ensure technical accuracy and production feasibility, and support successful client presentations and project execution.Manage design revisions, maintain organized project documentation, communicate updates with stakeholders, and ensure changes align with established project scope and timelines.Prepare final design documentation, piece counts, and project specifications to support accurate quotations and facilitate the transition from design approval to production.Coordinate design samples, product selections, glaze combinations, patterns, and installation considerations to help clients make informed design decisions.Maintain a high level of customer service while balancing design quality, project deadlines, production requirements, and business objectives.Depending on the project, design services may include:
Tile layout planningField tile placement and pattern directionBorder and trim planningFireplace surround layoutsShower wall layoutsBacksplash layoutsWainscot layoutsFocal point planningLayout revisions based on customer feedbackCoordination across sales, design, and customer requirementsVisual support for installer discussionsCAD drawings support planning, tile ordering, and design communication. Rookwood does not
produce floor plans or building elevations. Those are provided by the customer’s builder or
architect, and the designer works from them. The drawings are not architectural or engineering
drawings, construction documents, or a substitute for field verification by the installer.
Required Skills/Abilities and Education:
2+ years of experience in interior design, architecture, architectural products, kitchen and bath design, luxury residential design, commercial interiors, or a related field.Professional training in Interior Design, Architecture, Environmental Design, Industrial Design, or a related disciplineStrong design eye with the ability to interpret inspiration imagery and translate it into practical design recommendations.Ability to read or interpret basic plans, elevations, measurements, and field dimensions.Familiarity with CAD, SketchUp, Revit, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar design/visualization tools preferred.Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.Excellent communication skills with clients, designers, architects, sales professionals, and internal teams.Comfort working with premium, custom, handmade, or specification-driven products.Ability to balance creativity with timelines, scope, and business priorities.Preferred Skills/Abilities and Education: (Not Required)
5+ years of experience in interior design, architecture, architectural products, kitchen and bath design, luxury residential design, commercial interiors, or a related field.Degree or Professional training in Interior Design, Architecture, Environmental Design, Industrial DesignExperience with tile, stone, ceramics, architectural surfaces, interiors, lighting, plumbing, millwork, or other design-forward building materials.Exposure to residential, hospitality, commercial, or historic restoration projects.Experience supporting sales teams, client presentations, or showroom-based consultations.Understanding of how design decisions impact pricing, production, installation, and project timelines.Interest in handmade craft, architectural detail, historic design, color, glaze, and materiality. Read Less