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 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 a Product Developer to join our team based in Stamford, CT.

As a Product Developer, you'll lead the product development process across a subset of product categories. You'll utilize strong project management skills by building and maintaining project schedules, and work with suppliers and cross-functional teams to ensure new products are commercialized on-time and within budget. You will manage multiple programs simultaneously and ensure each program's adherence to the company’s design and quality standards.

Essential Functions:

• Manage product development cycle for assigned projects. 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.

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

• Review designer and supplier drawings to ensure adherence to design intent and quality specifications. Facilitate prototyping and conduct in-depth review of prototypes to ensure products meet all standards for: build quality, ease of assembly, packaging, comfort, etc.

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

• Collaborate with Sourcing on vendor selection and awarding programs.

• 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.

• Build strong supplier relationships and manage day to day communication on active new product development.

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

• Communicate project status and risks to leadership and cross functional teams. 

• React to product return issues in collaboration with cross functional teams.

• Coach and mentor junior team members, accountable for maintaining a positive working environment.

• Manage workload and daily activities of Assistant and Associate Developer.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's Degree required.

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

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

• Demonstrate excellent communication skills both verbal and written.

• An entrepreneurial mind set with an adaptive approach.

• Awareness of furniture market landscape.

• 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.

Who We Hire?
Simply put, we hire qualified applicants representing a wide range of backgrounds and abilities. 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.

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].