What are the responsibilities and job description for the Product Development Manager - Upholstery position at Gabriella White?
We’re seeking a proactive, detail-oriented Product Development Manager to drive new upholstery products from concept to launch. You’ll manage project timelines, resources, and cross-functional collaboration, ensuring designs meet quality, cost, and delivery goals. As a hands-on leader, you’ll guide and mentor the team, fostering innovation, problem-solving, and continuous improvement. Partnering with design, engineering, procurement, and production, you’ll deliver exceptional products that meet market demands and inspire customer loyalty.
Who We Are
Gabriella White is home to our family of brands - Gabby, Summer Classics, and Wendy Jane. We are growing in all areas of the business and are proud to be family-owned and operated since 1987. Together, we furnish life's best moments, from the everyday to the exceptional. Our vision and collective spirit unite us, and our culture is shaped by our core values: Dedication – Enthusiasm – Synergy – Integrity – Goal-Oriented – Nimble, or put, DESIGN.
As a premier innovator, manufacturer, and retailer of luxury furniture and accessories, our brands are loved by designers and design-minded consumers for creating timeless outdoor living and transitional, eclectic furniture and accessories for every part of the home. We’re always looking for talented people to join our team and grow together.
What We Offer
Who We Are
Gabriella White is home to our family of brands - Gabby, Summer Classics, and Wendy Jane. We are growing in all areas of the business and are proud to be family-owned and operated since 1987. Together, we furnish life's best moments, from the everyday to the exceptional. Our vision and collective spirit unite us, and our culture is shaped by our core values: Dedication – Enthusiasm – Synergy – Integrity – Goal-Oriented – Nimble, or put, DESIGN.
As a premier innovator, manufacturer, and retailer of luxury furniture and accessories, our brands are loved by designers and design-minded consumers for creating timeless outdoor living and transitional, eclectic furniture and accessories for every part of the home. We’re always looking for talented people to join our team and grow together.
What We Offer
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans
- 401(k) with match after 12 months
- Employee Assistance Program and Chaplain Services for emotional and mental well-being
- Paid sick leave, vacation, holidays, and parental leave
- Monthly incentive and bonus opportunities
- Generous discounts on our exceptional products
- Oversees and supports upholstery product development activities.Manages data management and tracking of key upholstery product developments in data systems. Ensures key calendar milestones and dates for upholstery product development are met.
- Conducts and/or participates in weekly team meetings to ensure teams are aligned and address issues.
- Understands product materials, construction, fit, function, and end-use requirements.
- Grows and maintains relationships with new and current suppliers.
- Tracks all incoming costs at every change level of the product.
- Look for cost reduction opportunities while maintaining the highest quality.
- Helps update costing documents and systems for cross-functional teams.
- Develops, cuts, and makes patterns.
- Works in AutoCAD and SoftWorkX.
- Communicates with plant leadership to address issues that may need support in other departments.
- Ensures accuracy of notes documented and provided to Plant Leadership for review.
- Recommends and implements process improvements as needed to improve production.
- Adjusts current patterns for better efficiency.
- Bachelor’s degree in Commercial, Industrial, or Product Design or related field preferred.
- Ten or more years of furniture upholstery manufacturing experience.
- Must have strong experience in retail math, cost margin analysis, and supplier quotes.
- Knowledge of furniture, apparel, and/or soft goods construction, development & production is highly preferred.
- Proficient knowledge and ability to use computer-based programs such as Microsoft Office and Auto Cad required; Knowledge of Soft Worx preferable.
- Ability to work well with others as well as independently under strict deadlines.
- Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
- Ability to prioritize workload tasks.
- Strong understanding of product efficiency.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Influential in building positive partnerships with cross-functional teams.
- Have a sense of urgency in managing time and ownership of deliverables.
- Strong ability to multitask, with the desire to work in a very fast-paced environment.
