What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director, Product Development & Merchandising position at Riverside Furniture Corporation?
Job Purpose:
Riverside Furniture is seeking a Director of Product Development & Merchandising to lead the strategy, development, and execution of our Occasional, Home Office, and Entertainment categories. This role is responsible for driving products from concept through market delivery while shaping a forward-looking merchandising strategy that supports long-term growth.
This is a high-impact leadership role requiring a balance of creative vision, analytical thinking, and operational execution in a fast-paced, market-driven environment.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Product Development Leadership
- Lead the end-to-end product development process from concept through market launch
- Identify trends, product gaps, and opportunities for new product introductions
- Collaborate cross-functionally with design, quality control, suppliers, sales, and marketing teams
- Ensure alignment with internal merchandising calendar and go-to-market timelines
Merchandising Strategy & Category Growth
- Develop and execute a comprehensive Sales & Merchandising Grid across assigned categories
- Define pricing architecture across good/better/best tiers
- Establish category margin targets and revenue growth benchmarks
- Build a 12–24-month product roadmap aligned with company strategy
Vendor Management & Cost Optimization
- Lead vendor selection and evaluation for new product introductions
- Manage supplier quotation processes to meet cost, margin, and timeline objectives
- Negotiate pricing, MOQs, and cost structures to improve profitability
- Establish vendor performance metrics and accountability standards
Sales & Data Analysis
- Analyze historical sales data to identify growth opportunities by: Region, Customer Segment, Style/Trend, Price Band
- Develop data-driven growth targets and reporting frameworks for ongoing performance tracking
Market & Showroom Execution
- Lead showroom floor planning strategy and product presentation for key market events
- Oversee sample development, tracking and timely delivery
- Partner with sales and marketing to support customer presentations and go-to-market strategies
- Ensure cohesive product storytelling across showroom and customer-facing materials
Skills/Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Merchandising, Engineering, or relevant field
- Proven experience in product development and merchandising in furniture
- Strong analytical mindset with the ability to translate data into actionable strategy
- Experience managing vendor relationships and cost negotiations
- Proficiency in AutoCAD
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams)
- Ability to manage multiple projects and with tight timelines.
- Strong communication and cross-functional leadership skills
- International and Domestic travel as necessary; Off-shift / Market hours as needed
What Success Looks like:
- A clearly defined and executable category strategy
- Strong vendor partnerships and improved cost structures
- On-time product development aligned with market cycles
- Data-driven decision-making drives measurable category growth