Raw Materials Product Developer

**Description**:
Hi there, we’re Article. We’re a North American based furniture company creating remarkably better furniture experiences one sofa at a time. And as the **Raw Materials Product Developer **(Textiles & Leather), you’ll be responsible for developing and commercializing new Upholstery Raw Materials that meet Article’s performance and testing requirements while meeting customer expectations and alignment with Article’s product and sourcing strategy.

**Why We Need You**:
In the Product Development Team, the Raw Materials Product Developer will offer support and material advice to Product Developers, sourcing partners and Product Designers. This fits into our larger need to build strong relationships and rapport with the mills and tanneries, understanding and leveraging their capabilities.

**Why Article?**

While, we sell to the North American market, we work closely with a number of our manufacturing partners throughout Asia. As a result we have an office in Thao Dien, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam where we currently have around 50 Particles (people of Article) working.

As a Particle (people of Article), you will have a high level of autonomy to solve challenging, meaningful problems the best way you can. That means you’re trusted to explore solutions you believe will work best (you’re the expert, after all). You’ll do all this while growing your skills within a company that is redefining the furniture industry.

**What You’ll Do**:
You’ll be part of a team of 5 seasoned Product Developers working to lead the end to end commercialization process for new material introductions and new color introductions into Article’s material library.
- Coordinate with Raw Material suppliers and Article’s in-house Quality team to ensure all Article Raw Materials meet performance and testing requirements. Build and maintain Article’s physical material library in both our HCMC, Vietnam Office and Vancouver HQ, Canada.
- Build and maintain Article’s material master database ensuring material specification information is up to date and accurate.
- Develop new têxtiles and leathers that meet Article’s performance and testing requirements for either new material introduction or a material improvement initiative.
- Keep track of all fabric and leather submissions, monitoring their progress to ensure all materials are approved within the expected delivery timeframe.
- Provide material training and education to Sourcing, eCommerce and Customer Care partners.
- Review and approve Raw Material Production Verification to sign off on Color/Shade, Product Standard, and Hand Standards
- Lead the Hand Standard approval process, ensuring our finished goods suppliers and internal Quality team have approved and signed hand standards available to approve bulk production.
- Provide cross functional teams with sample yardage as needed
- Liaise closely with the Compliance and Quality teams to ensure all raw Materials comply to performance and testing standards for Article.

**Who You Are**:

- 5+ years of experience with raw material development, specific to upholstery materials including fabrics and leathers is required.
- Experience working directly with mills and tanneries is a must.
- Strong technical background in leather and fabric development with deep knowledge of upholstery furniture and sewing/upholstery techniques.
- Strong technical knowledge gained in a manufacturing environment covering all areas of têxtiles from fibers, yarn, material construction and finishes. Including strong knowledge of industry testing standards/test reports.
- Excellent. Strong problem-solving skills and relentless attitude.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Vietnamese.
- Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
- Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment.
- Proficient with G-suite / Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
- Experience with PLM (or similar) software is a plus.

**Perks & Benefits**:
**Life**:

- 15 days of vacation*
- 11 National Holidays & 1 extra day for Christmas
- 6 well-being (sick) days*
- 1 Inclusion and Diversity Day

**Health**:

- Excellent extended health care benefits packages (dental, health check, mental health )

**Company & Office Space**:

- State-of-the-art laptops with the tech and tools to easily collaborate
- Be a part of a dynamic company and an internationally recognized brand

**About Article**:
Hi there, we’re Article. Since 2013 we’ve been redefining the furniture industry one sofa at a time.
- Vancouver, Canada is home to our HQ (and our first retail store)
- Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam is home to our Asia HQ
- Our US and Canadian logistics network serves our customers coast to coast.