Prototype Upholsterer/Trimmer for Custom Furniture

American Leather Operations LLC; Conover (NC); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onsite healthcare clinic

Paid vacation

Two company-wide shutdown weeks

Long-term career opportunity

Job summary

LEE Industries, based in Conover, NC, seeks a skilled Custom & PD Upholster/Trimmer to join the Product Development team. You will work with PD Engineers on new products, prototypes, and custom builds, translating concepts into practical construction methods.

The role requires hands-on upholstery experience, pattern modification, and a focus on quality, efficiency, and repeatability within a manufacturing setting. This is a full-time position with growth potential.

Qualifications

• Significant hands-on upholstery experience.
• Strong understanding of upholstered furniture construction and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to read, understand, and work from patterns, drawings, specifications, and product-development documentation.
• Knowledge of upholstery materials, fabrics, leathers, foam, decking, seams, welt, and related components.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with Product Development Engineers on new product introductions, custom products, prototypes, and special builds.
• Build and evaluate upholstery prototypes to determine the best construction methods and techniques.
• Review, modify, and improve upholstery patterns to support ease of manufacturing, consistency, fit, and overall product quality.
• Partner with PD Engineers to identify potential upholstery or construction issues early in the development process.
• Provide hand-on expertise and recommendations regarding fabric application, pattern development, cutting, sewing, trimming, and upholstery construction.
• Help establish and approve upholstery specifications that align with construction, quality, and appearance standards.
• Evaluate prototypes and first-build samples for fit, appearance, comfort, seam placement, pattern alignment, and overall workmanship.
• Recommend improvements to patterns, specifications, and construction methods to improve efficiency and quality without compromising design intent.
• Assist in developing practical solutions for complex or unique upholstery applications.
• Communicate effectively with Product Development, Engineering, Production, Quality, and other cross-functional teams.
• Document and communicate upholstery construction requirements, changes, and recommendations as needed.
• Support the transition of new and custom products from Product Development into production.
• Maintain a high level of craftsmanship and serve as a resource for upholstery-related technical questions.
• Help identify opportunities to improve repeatability, reduce rework, and make products easier to build while maintaining quality standards.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Upholstery experience

Furniture trimming

Pattern reading

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Independent work

Overtime flexibility

Job description

LEE Industries, based in Conover, NC, seeks a skilled Custom & PD Upholster/Trimmer to join the Product Development team. You will work with PD Engineers on new products, prototypes, and custom builds, translating concepts into practical construction methods.

The role requires hands-on upholstery experience, pattern modification, and a focus on quality, efficiency, and repeatability within a manufacturing setting. This is a full-time position with growth potential.