Product Developer- Lifestyle

Why join us?

Our purpose is to design for the good of humankind. It's the ideal we strive toward each day in everything we do. Being a part of MillerKnoll means being a part of something larger than your work team, or even your brand. We are redefining modern for the 21st century. And our success allows MillerKnoll to support causes that align with our values, so we can build a more sustainable, equitable, and beautiful future for everyone.

GENERAL PURPOSE

In this role, you will lead the product development process across a product portfolio within the assigned category. You'll will utilize strong project management skills by building and maintaining project schedules, monitoring potential delays, and working with cross-functional teams to ensure new products are commercialized on time and within budget. You will manage multiple programs simultaneously and ensure each program's adherence to the company's design and quality standards.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Manage project schedules to meet critical company milestones.
• Lead weekly meetings with cross-functional teams to share progress on new developments and conduct prototype/design reviews.
• Generate Request for Quote (RFQ) bid packages for new developments and manage review/selection process.
• Facilitate prototyping with Engineering and/or Suppliers.
• Ensure all new developments meet target costs and margin requirements.
• Create quality criteria for all new programs and maintain/develop Quality Assurance Protocol with Supplies.
• Conduct in-depth review of prototypes to ensure products meet or exceed all standards for build quality, ease of assembly, packaging, comfort, value, etc.
• Communicate key issues (i.e., schedules, resource constraints, launch plans) in a clear and timely manner to the Director of Lifestyle Development.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain/Sourcing and Compliance to ensure all regulatory, sustainability, and performance documentation are obtained from the suppliers.
• Collaborate with Engineering to review designer and supplier drawings to ensure adherence to design intent and product performance/quality.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Compliance to facilitate all performance and packaging testing.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams in Fulfillment and Supply Chain/Sourcing to award programs to suppliers and establish the most effective value stream/supply chain.
• Closely monitor product return levels and develop corrective action plans as needed.

Skills and Abilities

• Successfully demonstrated experience of a major new product commercialization, including full development and launch cycle.

• Excellent program/project management skills, as demonstrated through the successful achievement of assigned objectives.

• A developmental, entrepreneurial mind set with abstract analysis skills and a logical, but flexible, approach.

• Willing to take initiative and accept accountability with a strong sense of ownership over work.

• A demonstrated high level of personal integrity and business ethics.

• Demonstrated expert written/verbal communication skills and a proven capability to present complex concepts in a concise and understandable way to a variety of audiences.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, particularly communicating with team members across cultures and functions.

• Must be financially literate with the ability to perform retail math.

• 3D CAD and Adobe Creative Suite preferred.

• MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) required.

• Willingness to travel globally as required.

• Knowledge of furniture construction and furniture market landscape preferred.

• Luxury/high end experience preferred.

Who We Hire?

Simply put, we hire qualified applicants representing a wide range of backgrounds and abilities. MillerKnoll is comprised of people of all abilities, gender identities and expressions, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, veterans from every branch of military service, and more. Here, you can bring your whole self to work. We're committed to equal opportunity employment, including veterans and people with disabilities.

MillerKnoll complies with applicable disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact MillerKnoll Talent Acquisition at careers_help@millerknoll.com.