Senior Lead Retoucher

Position Overview

Ashley Furniture Industries is seeking a highly experienced Senior / Lead Retoucher to serve as the central authority for image finishing, color accuracy, and retouch standards across our global visual ecosystem, spanning photography, CGI, AI-generated imagery, and hybrid workflows.

Ashley produces an extraordinary volume of imagery worldwide. This role owns visual consistency, color accuracy, and finishing quality across all channels by building the systems, processes, and standards that support our production pipeline.

The ideal candidate combines the craft of a world-class retoucher, the systems thinking of a production leader, and the visual judgment of a seasoned art director. You'll partner closely with photography teams, CGI artists, AI innovators, designers, DAM administrators, and production teams to ensure every asset reflects Ashley's brand quality and craftsmanship from capture to final distribution.

This is a highly collaborative role requiring both deep technical expertise and strategic leadership across the creative production pipeline.

Key Responsibilities

Global Visual Standards

Own global authority for image finishing and color accuracy across all production methods
Develop and own calibrated color standards for accurate representation of materials, fabrics, woods, and finishes
Creating and owning a digital color standard library
Own retouching standards ensuring consistent color, lighting, texture, and realism
Conduct visual audits to identify inconsistencies and improvement opportunities
Define finishing standards across all channels and product categories

Process & Workflow

Design and implement unified global retouch workflows
Develop documented finishing pipelines for photography, CGI, AI, and hybrid assets
Partner with DAM teams on metadata, approvals, and version control
Establish intake/output processes ensuring assets meet standards
Build scalable systems supporting increased volume without quality loss

Production Alignment

Collaborate with photography teams on capture techniques that reduce retouch complexity
Guide lighting, material capture, and calibration techniques
Partner with CGI and AI teams to align outputs with finishing standards
Own partnerships with external retouching resources
Work with creative teams to maintain cohesive visual language
Identify streamlining opportunities across capture, rendering, and finishing

Quality Control

Act as visual checkpoint throughout the finishing process
Review global studio imagery for proper preparation and delivery
Coach retouch artists and production teams on standards
Establish quality checkpoints for color consistency and accuracy
Establish and implement the process for auditing existing images to match color targets
Partner with leadership to maintain unified visual standards

Technology & Innovation

Stay current on AI imaging, CGI rendering, and advanced retouch technologies
Evaluate and implement tools improving speed, automation, and quality
Integrate AI-assisted retouch and automation where appropriate
Ensure new technologies enhance productivity while maintaining standards

Required Qualifications

Experience & Background

10+ years of professional retouching experience in high-volume commercial production environments
Proven expertise across photography, CGI, AI-generated imagery, and hybrid visual workflows
Demonstrated experience developing retouch standards and color management systems for large-scale production
Experience supporting global teams and distributed creative production environments
Background in furniture, retail, consumer goods, or high-volume product photography environments preferred

Technical Skills

Expert in color correction, compositing, material realism, and advanced finishing

Strong understanding of color calibration, targets, and digital color management
Expert Adobe Photoshop proficiency and professional retouching workflows
Experience with RAW workflows, CGI renders, layered files, and AI-generated imagery
Knowledge of DAM and asset management systems

Core Competencies

Exceptional visual judgment and attention to detail
Strong process design and documentation abilities
Translates visual standards into scalable production systems
Highly collaborative with cross-disciplinary influence
Strong organizational and problem-solving skills in complex environments

Leadership

Leads through expertise, influence, and process ownership
Communicates effectively across global teams and disciplines
Partners with creative leaders, technologists, and production teams
Balances strategic thinking with hands-on execution
Passionate about elevating quality while improving efficiency