Product Developer

MillerKnoll • Stamford, CT

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Design Within Reach is seeking a Product Developer to join our Product Development team in Stamford, CT. As a Product Developer, you will guide new collections from concept through commercialization across assigned product categories. You will manage development timelines, coordinate with suppliers and cross-functional partners, support costing and vendor decisions, and ensure products are launched on time, within budget, and in alignment with Design Within Reach’s standards for design integrity, quality, performance, and customer experience.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• 4–6 years of experience in product development, furniture industry experience strongly preferred.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple programs, prioritize competing deadlines, and drive projects forward with attention to detail.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across design, merchandising, sourcing, compliance, quality, suppliers, and leadership.
• Knowledge of the furniture market, product construction, materials, finishes, manufacturing processes, and quality considerations preferred.
• Proficiency in retail math, costing analysis, margin calculations, and spreadsheet-based reporting required.
• Experience reviewing technical drawings and working with 3D CAD tools such as SolidWorks, Creo, or Fusion 360; familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, required.
• Ability to travel globally as needed.
• Ability to work in our Stamford, CT office.
• Ability to perform all essential job functions of the position with or without accommodations.

Nice To Haves

• furniture industry experience strongly preferred
• familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, preferred

Responsibilities

• Manage the product development lifecycle for assigned projects, ensuring each program aligns with design intent, seasonal milestones, assortment strategies, margin targets, and quality standards.
• Lead regular cross-functional status meetings and keep teams informed of progress, risks, and decisions needed.
• Prepare Request for Quote (RFQ) packages for new developments and partner with Sourcing to evaluate supplier capabilities, review bids, conduct costing analysis, and support cost negotiations.
• Review designer and supplier drawings to confirm adherence to design intent, construction requirements, material specifications, and quality expectations.
• Facilitate prototyping and conduct detailed prototype reviews for build quality, assembly, comfort, packaging, performance, and overall user experience.
• Own development timelines from quoting and prototyping through testing, final approval, purchase order placement, and launch readiness; monitor budgets and proactively resolve schedule or cost risks.
• Partner with Sourcing on vendor selection, supplier onboarding, and program awards, balancing product requirements, cost targets, technical capabilities, capacity, and quality history.
• Collaborate with Sourcing, Compliance, Quality, and suppliers to obtain required regulatory, sustainability, material, performance, and packaging documentation.
• Coordinate product and packaging testing in accordance with applicable protocols and internal standards.
• Build strong supplier relationships and manage day-to-day communication on active new product development projects, ensuring clear expectations, timely follow-up, and accurate documentation.
• Develop quality criteria for new programs, partner with suppliers on Quality Assurance Protocols, and support inspections or reviews of new product launches to confirm readiness for market.
• Communicate project status, key decisions, risks, and recommendations to leadership and cross-functional partners in a clear, timely, and solutions-oriented manner.
• Support, coach, and mentor junior team members while contributing to a collaborative, accountable, and positive team environment.
• Help guide the workload and daily priorities of Assistant and Associate Product Developers as needed.

Benefits

• support causes that align with our values, so we can build a more sustainable, equitable, and beautiful future for everyone.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level