Product Development Project Leader

JOB SUMMARY

• Provides leadership and direction to Sample Coordinators while working with Import Design teams in furniture sourcing, vendor sourcing, material development, finish development, & new market samples within the framework of processes and quality planning.
• Works with Development Manager to identify and eliminate wastes in processes in order to Improve Quality, Improve Productivity, and Reduce Costs.
• Assists Development manager with appropriate Vendor selection for new sample requests. Assigns and holds Sample Coordinators accountable for sample release, review, quality, and on-time shipping. Organizes and updates relevant data to CLS on time.
• Supports engineering teams for master color panel, pre-production review, products quality review, quality testing.
• Manages sample development files, holds Coordinators accountable for good quality sample review photos and that all related data is being maintained in CLS promptly.
• Works with team members and assigns relevant tasks. Builds team and promotes low turnover through good leadership, mentoring, and team work.
• Manage team member schedule, sample development follow up, and project process training of new employees.
• Responsible for daily communication with Sample Coordinators to support them and ensure they are on task. Responsible for administering any necessary PIPs(Personal Improvement Plans) and disciplinary actions up to and including termination for direct reports as well as regular reporting to Development Manager.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Sourcing Stage

• Attend Furniture Shows (as determined by Manager); collect new design concepts, visit potential new suppliers, and share competitive product information with PI & Vendor Visit System.
• Update potential vendors’ status from vendor visit & furniture shows using PI & Vendor Visit System.
• Assist coordinators in training new suppliers for Ashley’s basic requirements.
• At least 3 PI Entries per sample coordinator each week, 1 new vendor visit each month;
• New material, finish, cover, mechanism, electronics development according to designers’ needs.
• Design collected from current vendors by PI (Product Intelligence APP).

Sample Stage

• Assist Manager in vendor selection process for new sample request.
• Assign appropriate coordinator to begin sampling process with sample request when vendor has been selected
• Support Coordinators in discussing drawing, construction, material, costing and finish requirements with factory.
• Develop & verify target finish according to designer’s needs.
• Sample design and quality review, ensure there are updated review details in CLS with photos, notes and relative files.
• Coordinate and follow up the US designers’ trips.
• Communicate sample revisions between vendors and designers using CLS.
• Ensure there are acceptable finished sample images in CLS, FTP, PPT, and etc.
• Follow up sample pricing with suppliers and communicate to designers on time. Assist Manager with negotiation.
• Ensure coordinators are signing off on relevant sample task including drawer function and color reference panels.
• Monitor and track sample status in regards to sample shipping schedule to ensure samples ship on time.

Launching Stage

• Check and verify the GO item information is correct (Drawing, SKU #, Price, Cube, Material, Finish, Function, Design, etc.).
• Assist Development Manager with any additional price negotiation requirements.
• Send completed PIS to SCP.
• Assign & Monitor the release of New Go Notices to factories and relative people.
• Review Market CARs, videos, design revisions and ensure Development coordinators support factory and QA teams.
• Follow up with master finish panel creation according to sample reference panel and designers’ notes in CLS. Assign necessary work to appropriate personnel and monitor status to ensure completed on-time.
• Update the Micro-forms in time.
• Follow up with PPR review and First Shipment Review with QA team and factory.

Others

• Projects and tasks assigned by Manager or Country manager.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY

• The team leader is responsible for all of the above for the offices he/she is in and vendors he/she responsible for. The team leader is responsible for providing leadership, assigning coordinators daily working/projects/tasks that he/she responsible for and following up on team’s performance. Responsible for employee hiring, training schedule, PIP (Performance Improvement Plan), daily communications, team discipline, and reporting to Development manager.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education Background:

• 4 year University Degree
• Business, Management, Design, Engineering backgrounds preferred.

Working Experience:

• At least 2 years furniture experience
• Familiar with US furniture preferred

Skills & Abilities:

• Organized Leader, Math skills, negotiation skills.
• Good communication skills both in local language, English
• Can work independently, delegate effectively, and resolve team conflicts, honest, trustworthy, team spirited, disciplined, and accountable.
• Shows initiative for continuous improvement and willing to support teams outside of normal job description.
• Proficient at MS Office, Auto Cad, Photograph, and other computer skills
• Energetic in self-learning for relative knowledge

EQUIPMENT USED

• Computer
• Smart Phone
• Printer, Scanner, Copy machine, etc.
• Camera
• Tape Measure

MENTAL & PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS

Mental Effort:

• Patient, Careful, Team work, Open attitude for any comments

Physical Requirements:

• Good eye vision on color
• Use of hands to operate keyboard, phones, copy machines, and to prepare materials
• Frequently stands and walks/moves to different locations as needed
• Domestic travel
• International travel

Working Conditions:

• Office environment
• Flexible and willing to work extended hours when necessary
• Factory environment
• Transportation environment