What are the responsibilities and job description for the Product Development Manager position at Comfort Research, LLC.?
Description
We are seeking a Product Development Manager to lead the development of new products while managing multiple cross-functional projects. This hybrid role is responsible for ensuring that products meet customer needs, align with market demands, and adhere to our quality standards. You will oversee the technical development of new products while coordinating with teams across design, manufacturing, sales, and marketing to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.
HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL DO
- Demonstrate the Core Values of Comfort Research in daily actions, execution of tasks, and interactions with others.
- Lead the technical development of new products.
- Collaborate with design, product development, and manufacturing teams to translate concepts into manufacturable products.
- Evaluate and select materials that meet performance, cost, and sustainability criteria.
- Develop and validate prototypes, conducting testing to ensure durability, safety, and compliance with quality standards.
- Work closely with suppliers and manufacturing partners to ensure production feasibility and consistency.
- Identify and implement process improvements for product construction and assembly.
- Lead end-to-end project management for product development initiatives, from concept through production and market release.
- Lead project planning sessions, define scope, and set milestones to ensure timely delivery.
- Create detailed project plans and timelines, ensuring alignment with product development cycles.
- Manage cross-functional teams, ensuring clear communication and coordination throughout the project lifecycle.
- Identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies to keep projects on track.
- Provide regular project updates to stakeholders, ensuring transparency on progress, issues, and dependencies.
- Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and meet quality standards.
- HAVE FUN!
- Other duties as assigned by leadership.
This position is a hybrid role, requiring 3 days per week on-site at our office located at 1719 Elizabeth Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504. The remaining workdays can be completed remotely, providing a flexible balance between in-office collaboration and remote work convenience. Candidates should be within commuting distance of our Grand Rapids location.
OUR AWESOME BENEFITS
Here at Comfort Research, we believe that the health and well-being of our Ambassadors and their families is critical to their success in the workplace. Comfort Research offers a generous benefits program that includes:
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) plan that begins accruing upon hire for eligible Ambassadors
- Culture Awards program with opportunities to win cash prizes or extra PTO in addition to company-wide recognition
- Several paid holidays throughout the year
- Employee Assistance Program
- Growing family bonus & extra PTO for new parents
- Referral Bonus program
- 401(k) program with generous company match
- A variety of health insurance plans to choose from with company contributions to premiums
- Dental, vision, and other ancillary insurance coverages available
- Company-paid Short-Term Disability coverage
- Company-paid Life Insurance policy
- Free product allowances & product discounts
WHO WE ARE
Comfort Research is leading the furniture industry in innovative and affordable design and manufacturing. We’ve listened to the growing demand for quality, modern, leading-edge furniture and have responded with a bang! Today, you can find our products at all your favorite retailers, like Walmart, Meijer, Bed, Bath & Beyond, and Amazon (to name a few). But that’s just the beginning. We’re on our way to realizing our dream of becoming the "Best Known Brand in Furniture” and we’re pretty excited about it.
As we’ve grown, we’ve continued to be recognized as a Great Place to Work—and we’ve remained committed to building a positive culture and creating dynamic, fun atmosphere. We believe in hard work and we live by our core values of: Finding A Better Way, Doing the Right Thing, and Expecting the Best from Each Other and Ourselves. At Comfort Research, the pace is fast, the work is anything but boring, and the result is always more Comfort for All.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Textile Science, a related technical field, or equivalent experience.
- 4 years of experience in product development or project management, preferably in consumer products or sewn goods.
- Experience with prototyping, testing methodologies, and quality assurance.
- Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Strong communication skills for collaborating with internal teams, suppliers, and external partners.
- Proficiency with project management tools (e.g., Smartsheet, Asana, Monday) and product analysis software (i.e. Excel).
- Experience in the furniture, outdoor products, or soft goods industries is preferred.
- Knowledge of fabrics, textiles, and sewing production processes is preferred.
- PMP certification or similar project management credentials are preferred.
- Familiarity with international compliance standards for consumer products is preferred.
- Experience leading a team and/or managing people is a plus.
Comfort Research is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage applications from all qualified individuals.
