Vice President, Product Development & Production - International (Candidates may be based in Vietnam, Indonesia, or the Philippines)

Who We Are
As a family-owned company, PALECEK values integrity, loyalty, and strong partnerships. We are driven to improve, innovate, and inspire. We bring our personal best to every aspect of our business, from our design and craft to our internal teamwork and customer service. We are passionate about creativity and believe that beautiful spaces enhance the quality of life.
Summary The Vice President, of Product Design & Production - International will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing PALECEK's design vision, working closely with the Chief Creative Officer (CCO), Executive VP of Product & Brand Strategy (EVP), and the Product Development (PD) team to drive innovative and aesthetically compelling furniture collections. This role will create key synergies between the US product development team, the PALECEK overseas offices, and the PALECEK vendor partners.
In addition to being a Vice President in the design process, the Vice President of Product Design & Production, International will be one of the key decision-makers in material selection, supplier partnerships, and production processes, ensuring high-quality standards and cost-effective solutions that support the company's growth objectives. Reporting directly to the Chief Creative Officer and the EVP, this role requires a deep understanding of market trends, consumer preferences, and competitive positioning.
Description & Responsibilities
Lead strategic product-development and operational initiatives that improve workflow efficiency, shorten development cycles, and support successful transitions from concept through sampling and production
Proactively identify development bottlenecks, production risks, and process inefficiencies, partnering with internal teams and vendors to implement solutions that improve sampling accuracy, quality, lead times, and production efficiency
Maintain flexibility and responsiveness as product requirements, business priorities, sourcing conditions, and production needs evolve
Establish clear approval processes and provide timely feedback on product feasibility, construction, materials, cost, quality, and production readiness
Oversee sampling to ensure requirements, quality standards, and deadlines are met, proactively identifying and escalating final-sample and production issues
Build strong vendor partnerships through consistent communication, clear expectations, performance accountability, and collaborative problem-solving
Evaluate vendor capabilities, capacity, responsiveness, technical expertise, and quality performance to ensure alignment with current and future product needs
Clearly communicate product-development objectives, operational priorities, and business expectations to overseas teams and manufacturers to streamline sampling, minimize revisions, and resolve development issues
Participate in company-sponsored travel to trade shows and international factories to strengthen vendor relationships, evaluate manufacturing capabilities, address development and production concerns, and identify sourcing opportunities
Identify and evaluate business-development opportunities involving expanded product categories, new materials, alternative sourcing channels, and vendor capabilities
Facilitate and implement mutually agreed-upon vendor and sourcing strategies in coordination with the CCO, EVP, and VP of International Supply Chain
As a remote employee, proactively maintain strong working relationships across offices and time zones, including availability for scheduled calls outside standard local business hours when needed
Key Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design, Furniture Design, Interior Design, or a related field is required; a Master's degree is preferred
A minimum of 20+ years of experience in high-end furniture design, development, and production, with a strong background in luxury and custom furnishings
Extensive knowledge of sourcing, supply chain logistics, product introduction, and the full design lifecycle, from concept to market launch
Deep understanding of materials, furniture construction techniques, and finishing processes to ensure high-quality craftsmanship
Demonstrated success in leading product design and supply chain development, with the ability to make strategic, data-driven decisions
Ability to work autonomously while keeping senior leadership informed on project progress, performance, and key business initiatives
Strong sense of urgency in executing business goals, taking calculated risks, and translating sales data into actionable design and sourcing strategies that enhance profitability and brand positioning
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with internal teams, overseas vendors, external partners, and key stakeholders at all levels
Bilingual proficiency in English and Bahasa Indonesia, with excellent written and verbal communication skills
Skilled in navigating complex disagreements and facilitating resolution, ensuring trust, alignment, and a shared company vision among internal and external teams
Desire to seek feedback and commit to continuous improvement of product lines based on team insights, customer feedback, product performance, and market changes
Willingness to travel internationally for product development trips and domestically for trade shows, vendor meetings, and industry events
Willingness and ability to travel frequently throughout Indonesia, Southeast Asia, the United States, and internationally, including manufacturing facilities, supplier locations, customer visits, and domestic and international trade shows
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook), Adobe Creative Suite, and AutoCAD
Physical Requirements
Extensive travel across the APAC region (estimated to be 50%)
Acclimating to different cultures
Must be able to navigate the buildings and terrain of various APAC vendors who may not have the same building requirements as those in the US
Travel to the US several times per year
Visual acuity to assess product details, colors, and finishes accurately
Frequent use of hands and fingers for computer work, sketching, and handling material samples
Occasional bending, kneeling, or reaching to inspect products or review sample
Exposure to high levels of noise
Must be able to occasionally lift, pull, push and move up to 30 pounds
Must be able to walk a minimum of 10k-15k steps per day
Must be able to climb stairs
Must be able to sit at a desk and work on a computer for extended periods
Pay & Benefits
Pay: $200,000 - $250,000 per year
Performance-based bonus structure
Health and wellness benefits
Professional growth and leadership development opportunities
Dynamic, collaborative, and entrepreneurial work environment
Relocation assistance (if applicable)
Opportunity to play a key leadership role in a growing international organization