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Product Developer at MillerKnoll in CT - Stamford
Job Description
Product Developer
Location: CT - Stamford
Why join us?
Our purpose is 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.
About This Opportunity:
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.
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.
Qualifications:
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.
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.