R&D Leadership
- Lead the Hospitality R&D team in developing practical, innovative, and production-ready technical solutions for hospitality projects.
- Manage and prioritize R&D workload in line with project schedules, customer requirements, and department priorities.
- Ensure design intent is translated into clear and technically correct solutions that balance aesthetics, function, durability, manufacturability, and quality expectations.
- Build and improve R&D standards, technical working methods, and development discipline for hospitality projects.
- Support the Vice Director Hospitality in strengthening technical capability and design development quality across the department.
Design Development & Technical CoordinationOversee technical development of hospitality furniture, millwork, fixtures, lighting, artwork, and accessories based on customer requirements and design specifications.
- Review design concepts and technical details to ensure alignment with:
- functionality
- aesthetics
- manufacturability
- durability for hospitality use
- required quality standards
- Coordinate closely with Sales, Project Managers, Product Development, Draftsmen, Engineering Technical, and external designers / architects to refine technical solutions.
- Lead technical review of construction details, dimensions, materials, finishes, and assembly methods before release to sample or production stages.
- Ensure all technical outputs are properly documented, including:
- drawings
- specifications
- material requirements
- finish requirements
- compliance requirements
- Drive timely resolution of technical issues during development and pre-production stages.
Construction Standards & Technical FeasibilityDevelop and maintain standard construction guidelines for hospitality products to ensure strength, durability, consistency, and technical reliability.
- Review construction methods, thickness standards, joint details, and material applications to support long-term hospitality use.
- Define technical rules and best practices for loose furniture and related products to reduce risk of design weakness or inconsistency.
- Support Product Development and Costing teams by providing technically sound construction options and feasibility feedback.
- Ensure R&D outputs reduce risk of technical failure, repeated revisions, and production inefficiencies.
Sampling & Prototype Technical Validation
- Support technical coordination of samples and prototypes required for design validation, construction testing, customer approval, and internal review.
- Ensure sampling supports:
- technical validation
- material and finish feasibility
- construction verification
- quality expectations
- Coordinate with Sample Workshop, Product Development, QA, and related departments to ensure samples are technically correct and completed on time.
- Review and approve technical readiness before samples are released for customer evaluation or internal sign-off.
- Ensure lessons learned from sample and prototype stages are captured and reflected in final drawings, specifications, and development standards.
Production Handover & Technical Support
· Ensure all R&D outputs are technically complete and accurate before handover to Engineering Technical and Production teams.
- Confirm technical packages include all required design and construction information for downstream execution.
- Support pre-production reviews, technical clarification, and problem-solving to reduce risk during production launch.
- Ensure design changes are technically reviewed, documented, and communicated before production release.
- Support Product Development in confirming that technical content within the handover package is complete and reliable.
Process & Systems Improvement
- Develop and improve standard procedures for hospitality R&D activities, including:
- design development workflow
- drawing review
- sample validation
- technical approval
- change management
- production handover support
- Support clear control of design revisions and technical changes in coordination with PM, Sales, Product Development, and Engineering Technical.
- Support integration and accuracy of R&D information in ERP and related tracking systems.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance technical quality, documentation accuracy, and coordination efficiency.
- Standardize technical documentation, drawing review practices, construction rules, and approval discipline across hospitality projects.
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, coach, and develop the Hospitality R&D team.
- Assign responsibilities clearly and ensure accountability for technical deliverables and deadlines.
- Conduct regular performance review, feedback, and capability development for team members.
- Build a team culture focused on technical excellence, responsiveness, problem-solving, and collaboration.
- Support capability building in furniture construction, hospitality materials, finishes, technical detailing, and development standards.
Cross-Functional Collaboration Requirement
- Work in close coordination with the Hospitality Product Development Manager throughout the full project lifecycle.
- Support Product Development by providing technically correct solutions, feasibility review, drawing accuracy, and technical validation.
- Cooperate with Product Development to ensure technical solutions are aligned with project timing, cost expectations, sample needs, and production readiness