Company

Mercana is one of North America’s leading home furnishings wholesalers, with interior designers and retail partners around the globe. As a “design-first” company, we produce unique pieces for the home each season, including wall art, furniture, lighting, and home decor accessories.

Summary 

As the Product Developer, you are responsible for managing the end-to-end process of developing new products, from concept to production. This role involves collaborating with the design team to create innovative and market-relevant designs, coordinating with suppliers, and ensuring that products are developed within budget and meet quality standards. The Product Developer also oversees the prototyping and testing phases and ensures that products are launched on time. Success in this role requires strong project management skills, a deep understanding of furniture materials and production, and the ability to balance creativity with operational efficiency. 

Responsibilities 

Product Design & Development: 

• Collaborate with the design team to create innovative furniture designs aligned with market trends, customer preferences, and brand identity. 

• Translate design concepts into detailed technical drawings and specifications. 

• Maintain accurate documentation of each design feature, technical specifications, revisions, support material and project timelines. 

• Prototype development: Work with manufacturers to develop prototypes, ensuring the design integrity is maintained. 

Material Sourcing & Vendor Management: 

• Identify and source materials, fabrics, and finishes that meet design and quality standards. 

• Build and maintain relationships with suppliers and manufacturers. 

• Ensure materials are cost-effective, durable, and compliant with regulatory standards. 

Project Management: 

• Manage the entire product development cycle from concept to final production, ensuring products are launched on schedule. 

• Coordinate with internal departments such as design, marketing, visual merchandising, sales, and logistics to ensure smooth product rollouts. 

• Monitor timelines and address any production delays or quality issues. 

Quality Assurance & Compliance: 

• Ensure that products meet the company’s quality standards and comply with North American regulatory standards. 

• Oversee testing of products for durability, safety, and functionality. 

Continuous Improvement: 

• Review and assess feedback on products, identifying areas for improvement in future product iterations. 

• Work on optimizing production processes to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance quality. 

Key performance indicators (KPIs) 

• Time to Market (TTM):  Measure the speed from product concept to launch, aiming to shorten development time while maintaining quality. 

• Product Launch Success Rate:  Track the percentage of successful product launches to ensure market demand is met and failures are minimized. 

• Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) Optimization:  Focus on reducing production costs without compromising quality to increase profitability. 

• Supplier and Vendor Performance: Evaluate suppliers based on delivery, quality, and cost to ensure efficient and reliable sourcing. 

• Prototype Success Rate: Measure the percentage of prototypes that move to production with minimal changes to streamline development. 

• Quality Control & Product Defects:  Monitor product defects to ensure quality, minimize returns, and protect the brand’s reputation. 

Qualifications: 

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Engineering, or a related field. 

• Experience: 

• • Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in product development, preferably in the furniture industry. 

• • Experience working with furniture manufacturing is highly preferred. 

• Skills: 

• • Strong understanding of furniture design and production processes, including knowledge of materials, finishes, and construction methods.
  • Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Strong negotiation skills and experience working with suppliers and manufacturers.
  • Proficiency in CAD software, 3D modelling tools, and Adobe Creative Suite.
  • Excellent communication skills in English and Vietnamese (preferred).
  • Familiarity with quality control standards and regulations.
  • Ability to work independently and effectively collaborate with a remote team. 

Working Conditions: 

• Location: Based in Ho Chi Minh City with frequent travel to manufacturing sites. 

• Travel: Occasional travel to other regions of Vietnam and to India for meetings with factories.