Director, Upholstery

Four Hands•Austin, TX

10h

About The Position

Join one of the fastest growing, most dynamic companies in the furniture industry. For over 25 years, Four Hands has been a leading designer and wholesaler of furniture and décor, helping people create spaces that feel like home. Recognized on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies and named one of Austin’s Top Workplaces year after year. We invest in exceptional people — with a team of over 800 and growing — fostering our employees’ careers and celebrating them at every step of the way. Four Hands is where passion meets purpose and where your next chapter begins. The Director, Upholstery leads the strategic direction and execution of the Upholstery category, driving innovation, quality, and profitability across all product lines. This role oversees the full product development lifecycle, from concept and material creation to construction, costing, and market launch, ensuring alignment with Four Hands’ brand, aesthetic, and business objectives. This individual will partner cross-functionally to ensure each collection delivers a strong point of view, commercial success, and operational excellence.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in international product development with focus on upholstery
Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design, Merchandising, International Business or a related field required
Demonstrated leadership experience and able to develop high-impact teams
Experience in furniture construction, material and finish creation, fabric construction required
Strong understanding of raw material sourcing and vendor capabilities across key global manufacturing regions
Expertise in proactive costing and product engineering with the proven ability to deliver market-ready products
Strong strategic planning and project management skills with the ability to balance cost and meet product deadlines
Exceptional communication skills with the ability to bridge language and cultural barriers with global partners

Responsibilities

Develop and execute upholstery and fabric strategies, overseeing design, material creation and selection, construction, and costing while incorporating industry trends, technology, sustainability, and cost targets
Work closely with merchandising to develop and deliver assortment strategies that meet revenue and margin targets for the upholstery category
Partner with Senior Vice President (SVP) of Design to identify emerging trends, define assortment and design strategies, product specification and testing, and lead new product category launches from concept through marketing and web development
Lead the execution of seasonal line plans and creative roadmaps to ensure designs meet assortment and trend requirements, are manufacturable, and meet launch timelines within Product Development calendar
Oversee fabric and leather development by ensuring fabrics and leathers are developed, tested, and aligned to launch timelines
Partner with merchandising to identify, lead and develop multiple sub-category initiatives through launch
Evaluate and refine product development workflows, improving speed to market, sample accuracy, and cross-functional alignment
Collaborate with sourcing and merchandising teams to identify key mill and tannery partners, leading tailored growth strategies across various partners
Partner with sourcing team to evaluate vendor capabilities to meet design and assortment needs
Collaborate with marketing and creative services team to champion key initiatives, products launches and brand storytelling
Oversee accuracy of product development data in PLM system to ensure product data and launch assets are complete at time of launch
Monitor key metrics and implement improvement initiatives as needed
Leverage industry trends, competitive insights, and consumer research to shape brand-right decision strategies and long-term upholstery concepts
Attend domestic and international markets (30% travel annually) to identify emerging trends, source new products, and support the creation of Trend Briefs with SVP of Design
Other duties as assigned, in accordance with training and qualifications
Uphold the Core Values and be a valuable member of the Four Hands Team
Be open and honest
Reach for excellence
Act with responsibility
Value the whole person
Enjoy the journey
Lead and mentor team to align with Four Hands’ strategic objectives
Facilitate effective communication and collaboration among team members, encouraging the sharing of ideas and best practices to drive innovation and successful implementation of digital solutions
Foster individual growth and skill enhancement through regular feedback, training sessions, and professional development opportunities
Collaboratively establish clear, measurable goals for the team that align with broader organizational objectives, ensuring accountability and focus
Monitor progress towards goals through regular check-ins and performance reviews, providing constructive feedback and guidance to help the team achieve their targets
Promote a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging team members to analyze performance outcomes, identify areas for enhancement, and propose innovative solutions to overcome challenges
Develop and manage the department’s budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and alignment with business priorities
Develop and implement strategies to achieve departmental and organizational objectives
Evaluate industry trends and leverage insights to drive innovation and maintain a competitive edge
Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, both internal and external, to facilitate collaboration and alignment