Sr. Associate, Product Development (Upholstery)

Maiden Home

$90K — $95K *
Retail & Consumer Goods
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Educational background in furniture design, industrial design, product development, or product operations.
  • 4+ years experience in product development roles related to upholstered goods.
  • Strong proficiency in AutoCAD and Rhino software.
  • Proficient in Excel, Microsoft Office, and Google Suite.
  • Knowledge of data management or PLM systems like Fohlio is advantageous.
  • Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects efficiently.
  • Proactive mindset with an aptitude for risk identification and solution-focused problem-solving.

Responsibilities

  • Manage the prototype review and feedback process for upholstered products.
  • Provide clear, technical feedback to manufacturing partners with minimal supervision.
  • Oversee end-to-end product development from quoting to market launch.
  • Coordinate with internal teams and manufacturing partners to adhere to product development timelines.
  • Establish a reliable system to track development milestones for product visibility.
  • Act as a key contact for manufacturing partners to facilitate effective collaboration.
  • Support expansion into new product categories, leveraging industry knowledge.

Benefits

  • Dynamic workplace in the TriBeCa design district fostering innovation and teamwork.
  • Opportunity for significant career growth in a rapidly expanding company.
  • Hands-on involvement in the end-to-end product development process.
  • Collaboration with talented professionals in the furniture design industry.
  • Access to industry connections and resources through the company's network.
Full Job Description
This is a unique opportunity to join a brand that is primed for its next stage of growth-with a proven competitive advantage in its ability to attract, motivate and retain top talent across a range of disciplines. At Maiden Home, you'll find a workspace that encourages innovation, creative expression, and teamwork, and your experience will be shaped by your performance, contributions, and drive.

This role is located at our New York headquarters, located in the TriBeCa design district, where we work together every day in the office.

Responsibilities
  • Take ownership of the prototype Review and feedback Process for a set category of upholstered products, assuming full ownership of prototype reviews and shop drawing evaluations.
  • Deliver clear, technically precise feedback to manufacturing partners with minimal senior oversight.
  • Shepherd products from sampling to Successful Launch, owning the end-to-end development- from initial quoting and sampling through production sign-off and market launch.
  • Manage the process against the Product Development calendar, proactively flagging risks, and coordinating across internal teams and manufacturing partners to deliver a product that meets Maiden Home's quality standards on time.
  • Build and maintain a reliable system for tracking development milestones - whether within an existing PLM tool like Fohlio or a structured internal process - that gives the team clear visibility into where each product stands across quoting, sampling, and production.
  • Become a trusted point of contact for manufacturing partners quickly, establishing yourself as a credible, responsive liaison between Maiden Home and its manufacturing partners.
  • Demonstrate a command of furniture construction, materiality, and production realities that earns respect on both sides.
  • Support the expansion into at Least One New Product Category Within the first 12 months - bringing relevant technical knowledge, sourcing instincts, and cross-functional coordination to help the team move from concept to a viable product pipeline.
  • Identify and vet new manufacturing partners, evaluating material options, or pressure-testing construction approaches for a category where Maiden Home has limited precedent.
  • Assist the Product Team as a point of contact between internal stakeholders and external manufacturing partners for development of new products.
  • Over time, be an advocate for the elevation of our product's quality and design standard by collaborating with the team to identify opportunities to up-level existing products.

Qualifications
  • Educational history in any of the following domains: domestic or international furniture design, industrial design, product development, and/or product operations.
  • 4+ experience in hands on product development/industrial design roles, working on bringing upholstered goods to market successfully.
  • Strong knowledge of AutoCAD and Rhino is required.
  • Proficiency in Excel, Microsoft Office and Google Suite a must.
  • Working knowledge of data management or PLM systems such as Fohlio, Spexx and Spec sources is considered a notable asset.
  • Strong organizational skills and calendar discipline - the ability to manage multiple moving pieces simultaneously without losing sight of critical path milestones
  • Comfort operating as a coordinator and communicator across internal teams (creative, merchandising, operations) and external partners, translating priorities in both directions
  • A proactive, ownership-oriented mindset - someone who identifies a risk before it becomes a problem and escalates with a proposed solution, not just a flag
  • Must have seen products in a quantity of >100, move from concept to market /end user; possess a strong knowledge of furniture design, construction and materiality through the lens of production; inclusive of upholstered seating, dining, bedroom and storage.
  • Passionate about furniture and design; knowledgeable about design history as well as what's new and next.
  • Able to critically review furniture shop drawings received from manufacturing partners.
  • Clear communicator who is invested in nurturing the relationships between Maiden Home and our manufacturing partners.
  • Connections within the industry, including manufacturers and material resources, are considered an asset.
  • Strong interest in a production-forward role, grounded in product development and product success.
  • Strong attention to detail, a "can-do" attitude and the ability to consistently take initiative, demonstrating relentless follow-through in a startup environment.

Estimated Salary: $90,000 - $95,000

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