Associate Product Development – Soft Home

Role Overview
Idea Nuova is seeking a Product Developer — Softlines to own product development across our decorative pillow and throw categories. This is a hands-on individual contributor role responsible for driving development from initial concept through production. You'll partner closely with Design, Sales, Sourcing, and overseas factories to develop new product, manage samples and costing, own development timelines, and prepare new assortments for major retail customers. This role is ideal for an experienced product developer who wants to own a category within a fast-moving home textiles business.
Key Responsibilities
Own product development from concept through production across decorative pillows, throws, and related soft home categories
Partner with Design, Sales, Sourcing, and overseas factories throughout the development process
Manage development timelines, samples, approvals, costing, and production milestones
Communicate directly with factories and vendors regarding samples, materials, constructions, specifications, and pricing
Drive fabric, yarn, trim, fill, embellishment, and construction development
Review incoming samples for accuracy against specifications and customer requirements
Maintain organized sample libraries and accurate product development records
Own costing, specifications, sample status, and development trackers end to end
Conduct competitive shopping, trend research, and marketplace research to identify new product opportunities
Develop customer-specific assortments based on retailer price points and requirements
Prepare samples, product information, and presentations for customer meetings and seasonal line reviews
Track outstanding development items and drive projects to completion on schedule
Partner cross-functionally to resolve sample, costing, quality, and production issues
Qualifications
3–5 years of experience in product development, merchandising, or sourcing within home textiles or a related consumer products category
Direct experience with decorative pillows, throws, bedding, or other soft home categories strongly preferred
Strong understanding of textiles, fabrics, constructions, materials, and manufacturing processes
Experience working directly with overseas factories and vendors required
Strong organizational skills with the ability to independently manage multiple projects and deadlines
Detail-oriented with strong follow-up and problem-solving skills
Comfortable owning costing, product specifications, samples, and development calendars
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook; PLM experience preferred
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Self-directed with the ability to drive projects with limited oversight
What Success Looks Like
Development programs run smoothly with samples, costing, specifications, and trackers accurate and up to date
Development milestones are hit on schedule with proactive risk flagging
Customer meetings and line reviews are supported with organized, accurate, presentation-ready samples and information
Strong working relationships are built across Product Development, Design, Sales, Sourcing, and overseas vendors
Development issues are identified early, root-caused, and resolved without unnecessary escalation
Owns increasing scope across product programs, with a clear path to broader category ownership
Additional Requirements
Occasional domestic and international travel as needed for vendor meetings, market weeks, trade shows, and retailer presentations
Benefits
Competitive salary and benefits package
Opportunities for career growth and advancement
Dynamic, collaborative, and entrepreneurial work environment
Exposure to major retailers, nationally recognized brands, and trend-driven home categories
Fast-paced culture where your ideas, creativity, and contributions make an impact
Why This Role
This is an opportunity to own product development for one of Idea Nuova's most creative, fast-moving categories. You'll take products from concept to shelf across decorative pillows and throws, work hands-on with overseas suppliers and internal design partners, and have real influence over what shows up at major retailers each season. Strong visibility across the business, with a clear path to grow into broader category or leadership ownership over time.