Associate Product Developer

Why join us?

At Design Within Reach, home comes first. We believe in creating and sourcing pieces that move with you and are meant to be enjoyed over a lifetime – from home to home, generation to generation. For us, that means exceptionally crafted, built-to-last, and beautifully designed furnishings.
Our purpose is to design for the good of humankind. It’s the ideal we strive toward each day in everything we do. Being a part of Design Within Reach means being a part of something larger than your work team, or even your brand. We are redefining modern for the 21st century. And our success allows Design Within Reach to support causes that align with our values, so we can build a more sustainable, equitable, and beautiful future for everyone.

ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY:

Design Within Reach is looking for an Associate Product Developer to join our Product Development team. This role will be based in Stamford, CT.

As an Associate Product Developer, you'll manage the product development process across a subset of product categories. You'll utilize strong organization skills to work with cross-functional teams to ensure new products are commercialized on-time and within budget. You will support the PD team with development of multiple programs across product categories, ensuring each program's adherence to our design and quality standards.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Manage product development cycle for assigned categories. Responsible for commercialization of product in adherence to design intent, seasonal calendar, merchandising parameters, and quality standards. Lead weekly meetings with cross functional teams to provide project status updates. Manage project timelines and communicate risks and updates in a timely manner.

• Support the product development team with daily tasks: submit prototype orders, maintain trackers, respond to customer service inquiries.

• Facilitate prototyping and coordinate and track prototype movement requests. Own communication with sample warehouse, organization and storing of samples, and arranging sample reviews. Troubleshoot roadblocks to on-time prototype delivery, ensure samples are properly labeled.

• Generate Request for Quote (RFQ) bid packages for new developments and manage selection process. Own costing analysis and cost negotiations.

• Manage timeline of development including quoting, prototyping, testing, final sign off and PO placement.

• Collaborate with Sourcing and Compliance to ensure all regulatory, sustainability, and performance documentation are obtained from the suppliers. Facilitate all performance and packaging testing in adherence to applicable protocols.

• In partnership with Sourcing, build strong supplier relationships and manage day to day communication on active new product development.

• Create Test Request Forms and facilitate product testing at test labs. Track status of product and transit testing with third-party test labs.

• Conduct in-depth review of prototypes to ensure products meet or exceed all standards for: build quality, ease of assembly, packaging, comfort, value, etc.

• Collaborate with Supply Chain/Sourcing and Product Compliance to ensure all regulatory, sustainability, and performance documentation are obtained from the suppliers.

• Create quality criteria for all new programs and develop Quality Assurance Protocols with Suppliers. Conduct quality inspections of new product launches.

 QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor's Degree required.

• 3-4 years of experience in a development-related function (furniture industry preferred).

• Excellent project management skills: ability to prioritize workload, multitask and meet deadlines.

• Awareness of furniture market landscape.

• Demonstrate excellent communication skills both verbal and written.

• An entrepreneurial mind set with an adaptive approach.

• Proficiency in retail math required.

• Experience with 3D CAD (Solidworks, CREO, Fusion 360) and Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, Indesign) preferred.

• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, Powerpoint) required.

• Willingness to travel globally as needed.

• Ability to work in our Stamford, CT office.

• Ability to perform all essential job functions of the position with or without accommodations.

At Design Within Reach, home comes first. We believe in creating and sourcing pieces that move with you and are meant to be enjoyed over a lifetime – from home to home, generation to generation. For us, that means exceptionally crafted, built-to-last, and beautifully designed furnishings.

Who We Hire?
Simply put, we hire everyone. Design Within Reach is comprised of people of all abilities, gender identities and expressions, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, veterans from every branch of military service, and more. Here, you can bring your whole self to work. We’re committed to equal opportunity employment, including veterans and people with disabilities.

This organization participates in E-Verify Employment Eligibility Verification. In general, MillerKnoll positions are closed within 45 days and are open for applications for a minimum of 5 days. We encourage our prospective candidates to submit their application(s) expediently so as not to miss out on our opportunities. We frequently post new opportunities and encourage prospective candidates to check back often for new postings.

MillerKnoll complies with applicable disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact MillerKnoll Talent Acquisition at [email protected].