Product Development Assistant Manager

To act as the bridge between design and production, ensuring the physical execution of furniture development meets 100% of required aesthetic and technical standards. You serve as the final quality filter before a product is presented digitally for global approval, managing the "how" and "who" on the factory floor to maintain the design vision.

Core Responsibilities

• Development Execution: Execute the development of all industrial products.
• Strategic Innovation: Explore opportunities for new materials, new technologies, and new processes to deliver a competitive advantage to our company.
• Sensory Gatekeeping: Conduct daily "Whitewood" inspections (structure, joinery, carving) and "Finishing" inspections (color matching, sheen, depth of finish).
• Technical Oversight: Review samples and technical drawings, communicating and following through on changes with Technical and Engineering Teams. Proactively suggest technical and functional improvements to ensure products are fit for purpose and delivery.
• Sub-contractor Management: Visit and follow up with external sub-contractors to ensure design and technical requirements are followed through for key account products.
• Digital-Physical Liaison: Capture high-fidelity, color-accurate photos and 4K video of all samples at designated milestones for remote review by US counterparts.
• Workflow Optimization: Collaborate with Creative Lead in to develop and merchandise collections to optimize sales and increase efficiencies.

Operational Experience & Scope

• Lifecycle Management: Managed new product development from the time of initial concept to the time of sample shipment.
• Volume Control: Manage sample building of 200+ SKUs per season, including new material sourcing, product engineering to hit target price points, and managing sample shipments to meet target deadlines.
• Leadership & Coordination: Coordinated and directed design reviews in Vietnam and consulted in the ongoing production and PPS reviews.
• Quality Standards: Maintain the physical library of Master Panels and ensure every new batch is checked against the Master in calibrated lighting.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Production Speed: Ensure all industrial samples are produced within 2 weeks.
• Volume: Produce a minimum of 20 samples.
• Accuracy: Maintain 100% adherence to technical and aesthetic standards upon calibration.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a related field or College degree.
• Experience: Minimum 10 years of experience in a furniture manufacturing environment, preferably with high-end, industrial construction standards.
• Technical Skills: Mastery of furniture design/CAD software, technical drawings, and MS Office (Word, Excel, Access).
• Language: High-level proficiency in written and spoken English, plus strong Vietnamese communication skills.
• The "luxury Eye": A proven ability to identify deviations in proportion, color, and texture; proactive problem-solving; and the ability to work under high pressure or during overtime when needed.