What are the responsibilities and job description for the Product Development Specialist - Upholstery position at Gabriella White?
Job Description
We’re seeking a hands-on Product Development Specialist – Upholstery to support new and existing product development within our upholstery manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for developing and adjusting patterns, upholstering frames, supporting product construction review, and partnering with Product Development and Plant Leadership to ensure products are built with quality, value, efficiency, and craftsmanship in mind.
The ideal candidate brings strong upholstery manufacturing experience, practical pattern-making knowledge, and a continuous improvement mindset. This position plays an important role in helping strengthen product execution, support production teams, and identify opportunities to improve construction, cost, and efficiency while maintaining Gabriella White’s quality standards.
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 every day to the exceptional. We are united by our vision as well as our collective spirit and our culture is shaped by our core values: Dedication – Enthusiasm – Synergy – Integrity – Goal-Oriented – Nimble, or simply 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
- Competitive health, dental, and vision plans
- Employer-paid short- and long-term disability
- 401(k) plan with company match after 12 months
- Employee Assistance Program and Chaplain Services to support mental and emotional well-being
- Paid sick leave, vacation, holidays, and parental time
- Generous employee product purchase discount
What You Do
- Develops, cuts, and makes patterns to support new and existing upholstery product construction.
- Upholsters frames and assists with trim to support product development, review, and production readiness.
- Works in AutoCAD and Soft Worx to support pattern development and product documentation.
- Provides collaborative input on new and existing SKU construction to improve quality, efficiency, and value.
- Communicates frequently with team members to address issues requiring support within factory departments.
- Ensures notes, construction details, and product feedback are accurately documented and submitted to Product Development and Plant Leadership for review.
- Recommends and implements process improvements to support production performance and product consistency.
- Adjusts current patterns to improve efficiency, fit, construction, and production flow.
- Assesses product cost and identifies cost reduction opportunities while maintaining high quality standards.
- Partners with Product Development, Plant Leadership, and production teams to support successful product execution.
- Supports continuous improvement efforts related to upholstery construction, pattern accuracy, production efficiency, and product quality.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
What You Bring
- Ten or more years of furniture upholstery manufacturing experience.
- Strong knowledge of upholstery construction, pattern making, and product development processes.
- 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 and manage multiple product development needs.
- Strong understanding of product efficiency, construction quality, and cost reduction opportunities.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to document product notes accurately.
- Ability to communicate effectively with Product Development, Plant Leadership, and production team members.
- Ability to support and model Gabriella White core values.
- Experience using AutoCAD and Soft Worx preferred.
How Success Is Measured
- Patterns are developed, adjusted, and documented accurately to support product development and production needs.
- New and existing SKUs are supported with practical construction input that improves quality, value, and efficiency.
- Product notes and recommendations are communicated clearly and submitted accurately for review.
- Cost reduction opportunities are identified without compromising product quality or craftsmanship.
- Production and product development teams receive timely support on upholstery, trim, pattern, and construction needs.
- Continuous improvement actions help improve product consistency, production flow, and manufacturing efficiency.
- Work is completed in alignment with Gabriella White’s core values and quality expectations.