URBN Associate PD Manager – Upholstered Furniture, Product Development & Sourcing

Role Summary

 

URBN is looking for an Associate Category Manager for Upholstered Furniture. This individual will be responsible for driving innovation, efficiency, and strategic development in the category. Working closely with the Executive Director, senior leadership, furniture merchants, and design teams, this role ensures that upholstered furniture samples meet the brand’s aesthetic and functional requirements while aligning with business goals. Success in this role requires exceptional time management, multitasking abilities, and the agility to pivot priorities as needed. Strong communication skills, meticulous file management, and detailed reporting are integral to daily operations.

 

 

Role Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

Upholstered Product Development & Strategy

• Lead the end-to-end development process for upholstered furniture, ensuring briefs are fully populated with necessary design specifications before submission.
• Collaborate with vendors to execute development plans while leveraging structured workflow templates.
• Ensure compliance with textile and construction testing standards for upholstery materials.
• Conduct research and development on seasonal upholstery trends, fabric innovations, and market shifts.

Financial & Sample Management

• Manage SKU IMU parameters and negotiate competitive costs for upholstery styles.
• Implement strategies to reduce sample production costs, including CLO technology integration.
• Oversee sample logistics, vendor coordination, customs declarations, and QA/QC standards specific to upholstered furniture.
• Maintain and update the MSDS Library for upholstery materials, ensuring accurate documentation.
• Develop packaging methodologies tailored to upholstered furniture, ensuring protection and efficiency in transit.
• Oversee purchase order processes and maintain product information sheets for upholstery items.
• Track and manage sample progress, ensuring timely reviews and adjustments to meet production expectations.

Vendor Relations & Upholstery Growth Strategy

• Manage vendor relationships with a strong understanding of upholstery construction, capabilities, and production capacity.
• Define long-term strategies for textile and fabric innovation, material substitutions, and fabric reallocation.
• Conduct biweekly vendor business updates and oversee weekly reporting on upholstered furniture work-in-progress.
• Implement liability minimization strategies to ensure operational efficiency across the upholstered furniture category.

Systems & Operational Excellence

• Process non-merchandising purchase orders for work-in-progress upholstery sampling.
• Train vendors on system usage and maintain accurate data entries for upholstered furniture styles.
• Utilize internal reporting tools to analyze trends and performance in the upholstered furniture category.

Project & Daily Management

• Lead weekly meetings, both in person and via virtual platforms, ensuring alignment across teams.
• Oversee sample management logistics, working closely with internal teams to coordinate fabric and material testing.
• Maintain strict adherence to line plans, proactively addressing deviations before new developments are accepted.
• Develop upholstered furniture strategies with the buying team, ensuring alignment with overarching brand direction.

New Partner Development & Upholstery Market Expansion

• Foster new product innovation programs with vendors specializing in upholstery manufacturing.
• Lead in-country vendor expansion strategies, particularly in North America and Mexico.
• Attend industry trade shows focused on upholstered furniture, textiles, and furniture design.
• Travel for upholstery product reviews, providing expert recommendations for improvement.
• Negotiate cost-saving opportunities that optimize landed costs for upholstered furniture production.

Role Qualifications

Qualifications (not limited to):

• 5+ years of experience in Upholstery or Case goods product development. 
• Expertise in upholstery construction, manufacturing techniques, and textile applications.
• Knowledge of furniture construction and manufacturing experience preferred.
• Knowledge of product packaging and product testing.
• Logistics, supply chain management experience.
• Effective communication with internal and external teams and proven ability to work with cross functional teams.
• Proactive and ownership mentality for respo