Deputy Manager - DAC

Position Description

KOHLER CO.

Position Title

Deputy Manager DAC, AnR

Incumbent

TBD

Department

DAC

Date Prepared

January 2025

Division

Rendering and Animation

Group

ITC

BASIC FUNCTION

The Deputy Manager, Animation & Rendering Digital Content Creation, is responsible for developing high-quality photorealistic 3D scene renders and animations featuring Kohler products. This role requires expertise in 3D visualization, rendering techniques, and real-time content creation to produce compelling digital assets while maintaining Kohler’s quality standards. Additionally, the role involves optimizing workflows, managing data, and contributing to Unreal Engine pipeline development.

Specific Responsibilities

• Capability Development & Leadership:
  

Experience in developing creative/multimedia/digital asset creation capabilities in past organizations along with leading the team to cater to international business. Leading the creative team to ensure on-time delivery with the expected quality. Developed production pipeline to improve turnaround time while maintaining quality.

• 3D Scene and Asset Creation:
  

Develop 3D room scenes using 3ds Max, Unreal Engine, and Substance Painter based on design concepts. Apply advanced techniques in lighting, material creation, and texturing to achieve photorealistic outputs.

• Animation Development:
  

Create high-quality 3D animations of Kohler products using 3ds Max and Unreal Engine, ensuring consistency and adherence to brand standards.

• Rendering & Optimization:
  

Utilize Unreal Engine’s real-time rendering capabilities, dynamic lighting, and virtual reality (VR) integrations to enhance scene interactivity and visual fidelity. Optimize assets and materials to ensure efficient performance across various platforms, including Web, iOS, and Android.

• Product and Prop Modeling:
  

Prepare, UV map, and convert Kohler product models for rendering. Create fully textured prop models as per set designer specifications.

• Blueprint Scripting & Interactivity:
  

Implement Unreal Engine Blueprints for interactive elements, procedural content creation, and automation of repetitive tasks.

• Process & Workflow Optimization:
  

Develop best practices to improve production efficiency, maintain render quality, and streamline data management.

• Cross-functional Collaboration:
  

Work closely with product engineers, set designers, art directors, and photographers to translate concepts into high-quality visual outputs. Collaborate with Kohler WI and ITC teams for standardization and knowledge sharing.

• Research & Development:
  

Engage with software vendors, explore new tools, and test innovative rendering and animation techniques to enhance digital content creation capabilities.

Education & Experience

• Degree/Diploma in 3D Visualization, Animation, or a related field.
• Minimum 10+ years of experience in creating high-quality photorealistic 3D renderings and animations. Advanced proficiency in 3ds Max, Unreal Engine, Substance Painter, V-Ray, Photoshop, and After Effects. Expertise in Unreal Engine’s material creation, lighting techniques, Blueprints scripting, and rendering optimization. Strong understanding of photorealistic rendering techniques, including light, shadow, and texture mapping. Knowledge of interactive content creation, real-time rendering, and VR applications.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, JavaScript, C#, or C++ is a plus.
• Strong communication skills, ability to articulate creative concepts, and proficiency in English.
• Team player with a proactive attitude and a quick learning ability.
  

RELATIONSHIPS & CONTACTS

• Supervisory Relationship:
  

Reports to the Digital Asset Creation (Animation and Rendering) vertical leader.

• Professional Relationships:
  

Collaborates with CGI Content Development teams at Kohler WI and ITC.

• Organizational Relationships:
  

Regular interaction with product engineers, set designers, art directors, stylists, and photographers. Occasional coordination with industrial design teams for data or information gathering.

• External Business Relationships:
  

Engages with software vendors and service providers for research and development of new tools and technologies.

Preferred Skills & Additional Qualifications

Experience in shading, lighting, procedural content creation, optimization, and pipeline automation. Knowledge of AR/VR content creation, real-time compositing, and cinematic lighting in Unreal Engine. Familiarity with post-processing techniques, blueprints, and scripting for interactive solutions. Ability to create reusable import protocols and optimize rendering workflows.