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Four Hands · 1 day ago

Director, Upholstery

Austin, TX

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

10+ years exp

Four Hands is a leading designer and wholesaler of furniture and décor, known for its dynamic growth in the industry. The Director, Upholstery will lead the strategic direction of the Upholstery category, overseeing product development from concept to market launch while ensuring alignment with the brand's objectives and fostering cross-functional partnerships.

FurnitureHome ImprovementLifestyle

Growth Opportunities

H1B Sponsor Likely

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

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

Qualification

Upholstery product developmentFabricLeather developmentStrategic planningRaw material sourcingLeadership experienceProject managementCommunication skillsTeam managementCollaboration

Required

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

Company

Four Hands

Four Hands is a lifestyle home furnishing company that delivers design products and services.

Founded in 1996

Austin, Texas, USA

501-1000 employees

https://fourhands.com

H1B Sponsorship

Four Hands has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)

Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship

Represents job field similar to this job

Trends of Total Sponsorships

2025 (1)

2021 (1)