Mgr Engineering

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise during the product development phase to ensure samples meet WSI quality, construction, safety, performance, and testing requirements.
• Partner closely with Product Development, Sourcing, Merchandising, QA, vendors, and global teams to support timely and accurate product execution.
• Review product specifications, construction details, materials, finishes, dimensions, assembly methods, packaging inputs, and performance requirements.
• Troubleshoot technical issues during sample development and recommend practical solutions to improve product quality, manufacturability, and consistency.
• Conduct or coordinate in-house sample reviews and basic testing during development to identify material, finish, construction, or performance concerns.
• Prepare and maintain accurate product data sheets, sample review forms, color/material panels, test results, technical callouts, and approval documentation.
• Ensure all product information, Product Information Sheets, technical specifications, sample comments, and related documents are complete and accurate.
• Communicate and document all sample changes, technical comments, revisions, and approvals through the designated product development / PLM system.
• Work with vendors to review, update, and maintain product drawings, counter CADs, technical drawings, and digital product records.
• Participate in pre-production meetings at factories to identify and prevent potential quality, construction, material, finishing, packaging, or assembly risks.
• Lead final approved sample handover to vendors and Operations teams, including final product data sheets, sample review forms, assembly instructions, approved panels, control samples, and production references.
• Approve production samples and support first pilot runs, as needed, in partnership with vendors, Operations, QA, and Product Development teams.
• Support inspection readiness by providing accurate product details, approval references, and technical guidance to QA and Operations teams.
• Maintain organized product records, sample history, approval documents, images, test reports, and revision logs.
• Track development status, sample progress, ETDs, approvals, risks, and pending actions to ensure calendar adherence.
• Drive continuous improvement in product engineering, vendor capability, sample accuracy, and production readiness.

Required Experience and Skills

• 12-20 years of relevant experience in product engineering, product development, production management, technical merchandising, quality, or vendor-facing product execution.
• Strong experience in Décor & Accessories, home products, hardgoods, lifestyle products, or related export / retail product categories.
• Product development experience with international retailers, sourcing offices, buying offices, export houses, or manufacturing organizations is strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of product construction, materials, finishes, technical specifications, product safety, quality standards, testing requirements, and production processes.
• Experience working with vendors and factories on sample development, technical corrections, pre-production readiness, and production handover.
• Ability to read, review, and comment on product drawings, technical details, CADs, specifications, product sheets, and sample reports.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to simplify technical information for non-technical stakeholders.
• High attention to detail with the ability to provide accurate and complete information to multiple cross-functional partners.
• Ability to manage multiple products, priorities, seasonal deadlines, and development calendars in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong planning, follow-up, documentation, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and product data/documentation systems.
• Working knowledge of PLM or product lifecycle management systems will be an advantage.
• Comfortable with digital photography, product images, sample documentation, and organized file management.
• Independent, flexible, proactive, and able to work effectively under pressure.
• Strong team player with good initiative, ownership, and a systematic approach to execution.

Preferred Competencies

• Technical problem solving
• Product engineering judgment
• Vendor and factory coordination
• Product development calendar management
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Quality and risk prevention mindset
• Accuracy in documentation
• Ownership and accountability
• Strong follow-through
• Ability to balance design intent, manufacturability, quality, cost, and timelines