What are the responsibilities and job description for the Product Development Director- Highland House position at Century Furniture?
Highland House is a luxury furniture brand known for its timeless yet modern aesthetic. Crafted in North Carolina using traditional techniques and premium materials, Highland House product is celebrated for impeccable proportions, sharp tailoring, vast customization, and unmatched comfort. Highland House caters to top interior designers and boutique retailers and has become a preeminent fashion leader within the home furnishings industry.
Position Summary
Highland House is seeking an experienced and highly organized Product Development Director to lead cross-functional product development for both domestic and imported upholstery and casegoods.
This role owns the full product lifecycle — from concept through development, production readiness, launch, and post-launch support — ensuring projects are delivered on time, on brand, and aligned with strategic objectives.
The Product Development Director reports to the Highland House President and collaborates cross-functionally with Finance, IT, Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Customer Service, Sales Management, Marketing/Merchandising, Quality, and Global Sourcing/Procurement.
Key Responsibilities
Product Development & Lifecycle
- Lead end-to-end development of domestic and import upholstery and casegoods
- Manage timelines, milestones, prototypes, production setup, and launches
- Ensure quality, cost targets, and brand standards are consistently met
Project Management & Collaboration
- Serve as central project lead across plants, design, sourcing, operations, and partners
- Build and manage detailed project schedules and deliverables
- Identify risks and drive solutions to keep projects on track
Systems & Data Management
- Own the PD web tool for Highland House development tracking and visibility
- Lead SAP setup for new products including item master data, BOMs, specifications, routings, and costing
- Ensure data accuracy to support manufacturing and order processing
Launch & Customer Support
- Support product launches including setup and support at High Point Furniture Market
- Partner with Customer Service on product knowledge, specifications, and issue resolution
Continuous Improvement
- Improve workflows, tools, and lifecycle processes
- Implement best practices and monitor industry trends
Qualifications
- 7 years of product development or project management experience in furniture manufacturing
- Experience with both domestic and import product programs
- Strong knowledge of upholstery and casegoods development
- Experience with PD systems/tools and SAP preferred
- Proven cross-functional leadership and project execution skills
Compensation & Benefits
Competitive compensation and benefits package based on experience.