Product Development Assistant Manager – Furniture

BASIC FUNCTION:Responsible for collaborating with the US Merchandising teams and Asia suppliers to implement newly developed groups into first cuttings and hand off to production all introductions ensuring the new product meets La-Z-Boy standards for construction, functionality, matching signed finished standards, meets all safety tests, and meets all packaging standards.Support QC for in line and finial AQL inspections for first cutting orders following La-Z-Boy statistical audit guidelines.Conduct Operational assessment for vendors and follow up for the improvement.• Collaborate with Product Development Team / US Merchandising teams, Quality Control Manager and Quality Auditors throughout development and first cut production.• Approve and monitor PPAP / PPS, Control plans, product function, construction, color matching, labeling of cases and cartons, and packaging of all 1st cuttings.• Work with the Product Development Team / US Merchandising teams to gain sample approvals before being shipped to the US for market.• Conduct Operational assessment for vendors and follow up for the improvement.• Support first by cutting AQL along with the QC Team. (iAuditor)• Support first cutting In-Line quality review with the QC Team and generate report/email.• Work with QC team and Factory staff while the first cuttings are being produced through each factory to achieve smooth handover to production.• Track and manage the development of new finishes, manage Product Development Timelines, and provide administrative support for the Product Development Manager.• Communication changes between Product Development Team and QC Team and Factory staff. Assure that relevant design changes are correctly reflected in the drawings and implemented in the samples.• Ensure suppliers adhere to a formal supplier change request process for changes that affect the construction, functionality, and aesthetics of the new product.• Document key notes and gain knowledge of the product for use on first production runs in the factories.• Ensure that all product standards are implemented into production of the first PO for a new group.• Contribute suggestions and ideas to the Manager and QC team in setting quality standards prior to the launch of the first PO into production.• Commit yourself as well as to assure suppliers also commit to the confidentiality of product development information.• Contribute suggestions and ideas to Product Development Manager to improve and streamline the product development process.• Monitor and communicate risk management issues with focus on safety and liability. Carry out an initial risk assessment of new products to ensure consistency of their construction, functionality, and aesthetics.• Participate in quality control meetings on newly developed groups between Quality Control Manager and factories / suppliers.• Working on the production floor to supports Quality Audit when no products develop.• Collaborate with Corporate Procurement team to identify, evaluate, and develop new suppliers in support of global commodity strategies.• Work with Commodity Managers to develop and drive Supplier Continuous Improvement Plans (SCIP).• Manage supplier changes and PPAP’s, and support La-Z-Boy Product Development System (LPDS) as required for new product introductions.• Work with suppliers to develop plans to secure production capacity and raw materials and to drive production process efficiencies.• Identifies product development opportunities within the supply base.Department: Global Trading CompanyReports to: Senior Product Development Manager/ GTCSupervisory responsibilities: 1-3 Direct ReportsTravel required: 50%+