Product Developer

Why join us?

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 MillerKnoll 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 MillerKnoll to support causes that align with our values, so we can build a more sustainable, equitable, and beautiful future for everyone.

Design Within Reach is looking for a Product Developer to join our Product Development team. This role will be 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, monitoring potential delays, and working with 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:  

• Lead weekly meetings with cross-functional teams to share progress on new developments and conduct prototype/design reviews.
• Manage project schedules to meet critical company milestones.
• Generate Request for Quote (RFQ) bid packages for new developments and manage review/selection process.
• Collaborate with Engineering to review designer and supplier drawings to ensure adherence to design intent and product performance/quality.
• Facilitate prototyping with Engineering and/or Suppliers.
• 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.
• Facilitate all performance and packaging testing.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams in Fulfillment and Supply Chain/Sourcing to award programs to suppliers and establish the most effective value stream/supply chain.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Compliance to facilitate all performance and packaging testing.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain/Sourcing and Compliance to ensure all regulatory, sustainability and performance documentation are obtained from the suppliers.
• Ensure all new developments meet target costs and margin requirements.
• Create quality criteria for all new programs and maintain/develop Quality Assurance Protocol with Suppliers.
• Closely monitor product return levels and develop corrective action plans as need.
• Communicate key issues (i.e., schedules, resource constraints, launch plans) in a clear and timely manner to Merchandising and PD leadership.
• Coach and mentor junior team members, accountable for maintaining a positive working environment.

 QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor's Degree required (Industrial Design preferred)
• 3+ years of experience in a development-related function (furniture industry preferred)
• Successfully demonstrated experience with major new product commercialization, including full development and launch cycle
• Excellent program/project management skills, as demonstrated through a successful achievement of assigned objectives.
• A developmental, entrepreneurial mind set with abstract analysis skills and a logical, but flexible approach.
• Willing to take initiative and accept accountability with a strong sense of ownership over work.
• A demonstrated high level of personal integrity and business ethics.
• Demonstrated expert written/verbal communication skills and a proven capability to present complex concepts in a concise and understandable way to a variety of audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, particularly communicating with team members across cultures and functions.
• Must be financially literate and possess business acumen with the ability to objectively assess projects.
• 3D CAD (Solidworks, CREO, Fusion 360) and Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, Indesign) preferred.
• MS Office (Excel, Word, Powerpoint) required.
• Willingness to travel globally as required.
• Knowledge of furniture construction and furniture market landscape preferred.
• Luxury/high end experience preferred.

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. MillerKnoll 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].