Director, Upholstery

Fourhands; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Four Hands in Austin, Texas is seeking a Director, Upholstery to lead the strategic direction and execution of the upholstery category. This role involves overseeing product development from concept to launch, ensuring alignment with brand objectives.

The ideal candidate should have over 10 years of experience in product development, strong leadership skills, and expertise in upholstery, fabric, and sourcing. Join a dynamic team dedicated to innovation and excellence in the furniture industry.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in international product development with focus on upholstery.
• Demonstrated leadership experience and ability to develop high-impact teams.
• Strong understanding of raw material sourcing and vendor capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic direction and execution of the Upholstery category.
• Develop and execute upholstery and fabric strategies.
• Collaborate with sourcing teams to identify key partners.
• Monitor key metrics and implement improvement initiatives.
• Attend domestic and international markets to identify emerging trends.

Skills

Leadership

Product development

Strategic planning

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design, Merchandising, International Business or a related field

Job description

Join one of the fastest growing, most dynamic companies in the furniture industry. For over 25 years, Four Hands has been a leading designer and wholesaler of furniture and décor, helping people create spaces that feel like home.

Recognized on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies and named one of Austin’s Top Workplaces year after year. We invest in exceptional people — with a team of over 800 and growing — fostering our employees’ careers and celebrating them at every step of the way. Four Hands is where passion meets purpose and where your next chapter begins.

The Director, Upholstery leads the strategic direction and execution of the Upholstery category, driving innovation, quality, and profitability across all product lines. This role oversees the full product development lifecycle, from concept and material creation to construction, costing, and market launch, ensuring alignment with Four Hands’ brand, aesthetic, and business objectives. This individual will partner cross-functionally to ensure each collection delivers a strong point of view, commercial success, and operational excellence.

In This Role

• 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
  • Be open and honest
  • Reach for excellence
  • Act with responsibility
  • Value the whole person
  • Enjoy the journey

Leadership and Team Management

• 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

The Ideal Person

• 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

About Four Hands

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, since 1996, Four Hands crafts furniture, art and décor — pieces that are all about creating space. Timeless, thoughtful designs with endless possibilities. Pieces meant to be experienced and form a whole that feels like home.

Our trade customers range from interior designers to large retailers who rely on our expertise to grow and guide their business to success. We treat our partners as part of the Four Hands family, championing them and rooting for their every win.

And, we are constantly pursuing better — from sourcing the finest materials and finishes to seeking fresh inspiration to elevate our designs — we are never settled, never done.

Four Hands is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Four Hands recruits qualified applicants and advances in employment its employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, ethnic or national origin, marital status, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

Visit www.FourHands.com for more information.