Williams-Sonoma, INC.
Founded in 1956, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the premier specialty retailer of home furnishings in the United Statesand Canada. Our brands are among the best known and most respected in the industry; and we successfully marketthem through all three major channels — retail stores, catalogs, and the Internet.
We also provide home furnishing categories, including furniture, textiles, decorative accessories, lighting, and tabletop items under the West Elm brand name; bed and bath products under the Pottery Barn brand name; and children's furnishings and accessories under the Pottery Barn Kids brand name.
We operate nearly 600 stores located in 44 states of the United States; Washington, D.C.; Canada; and Puerto Rico.
We invite outstanding candidates, with a positive attitude and a strong desire to succeed to apply for the following positions at Williams-Sonoma Vietnam Limited Liability Company.
Position Title : Director - Product Quality & Assurance/Testing (01 position)
Reporting to : Country Manager
Work location : Binh Duong Province, Vietnam
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
1-Develop in-line and final furniture inspection procedures that effectively reduces each factory’s furniture returns and improves their on-time deliveries.
2-Develop a technical and business rapport with factory management, staff, and personnel.
3- Anticipate and correct furniture product issue(s) during the development stage.
4- Build both a strong Internal testing and quality assurance team.
5-Insure proper WSI QA coverage at all factory locations.
- Train, schedule and coach staff.
- Insure staff is properly equipped to perform their jobs effectively.
- Ensure Product Data Sheets/MCS/MCP/Test Reports are in place and updated.
- Evaluate Quality team performance on a quarterly and annual basis.
- Understand and train staff in furniture testing and regulatory requirements.
- Assist factories to develop their own in-house quality control processes and testing systems.
- Ensure all production corrective/preventive action plans are implemented in a timely and effective
manner.
- Work closely with the furniture technical development team to anticipate and correct issues before
production begins.
- Ensure on-going furniture products are tested annually.
- Know the manufacturing strengths and weaknesses of each vendor/factory.
- Know WSI ISTA Packaging Testing.
- Know WSI furniture testing protocols.
- Provide Quality statistical information as required.
- Develop next level of Management staff.
JOB HOLDER’S COMPETENCIES & EXPERIENCE:
Basic Skills required:
- Review business statistics.
- Understanding of furniture manufacturing and development.
- Understanding of quality control processes and systems.
- Ability to establish key metrics.
- Experience with product design interpretation and communication to the supplier
- Able to read and understand engineered drawings.
- Skilled in Auto Cad.
- Experienced in developing furniture color and finishing systems.
- At least 15 years experience in a management with a senior role in product development and/ or product
engineering/ quality control/ or furniture manufacturing roles.
- Ability to understand and implement various furniture testing protocols (ANSI, ASTM, BIFMA, AATCC,
ISTA, etc.).
- Able to manage a product testing lab.
General Skills Required
- Effective communication & report writing skills in English. Some Vietnamese is helpful.
- Good negotiation skills with customer-oriented attitude
- Excellent analytical abilities to grasp the key points from complicated details
- Good leadership capabilities to drive projects to successful completion
- Familiarity with the tools, concepts and methodologies of quality management
- Good interpersonal skill, team player, excellent responsibility and initiative.
- Able to develop Quality team/testing lab team.
- Good analytic and solving skills.
- Creative
Position Title : Quality Control Manager (03 positions)
Reporting to : Director - Product Quality & Assurance/Testing
Work location : Binh Duong Province, Vietnam
JOB PURPOSE:
This job holder is responsible for the implementation and management of WSI’s furniture quality assurance processes and systems. This includes the hiring and development of staff. The scheduling of QC production coverage; as well as, problem solving both production and quality issues as they arise.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
1-Ensure adequate QC coverage for all factories under his control.
2-Establish a technical and business rapport with factory management, staff, and personnel.
3- Schedule staff in accordance with company policy and overtime procedures.
4-Solve construction, finishing, and quality issues as they arise.
5- Ensure all QC’s are properly equipped to perform their jobs.
- Provide accurate and timely quality control and/or reports to immediate superior.
- Keep the QA Director well informed of any potential issues that will effect quality or delivery
- Monitor weekly and daily factory production schedules to ensure adequate manpower coverage.
- Ensure Product Data sheets/MCS/MCP/Test Reports are in place and updated at factory.
- Train, schedule, and coach staff.
- Evaluate his/her direct reports on a quarterly and annual basis.
- Ensure all production corrective actions are implemented in a timely and effective manner.
- Know WSI ISTA packing requirements.
- Know WSI furniture testing protocols.
- Guide and train QC and vendor in product testing requirements.
- Improve factory quality control procedures.
- Responsible for control and distribution of inspection tools to his/her staff.
- Responsible to calibrate the inspection tooling and equipment annually or as needed.
- Monitor and coordinate any annual product re testing plan with vendor/factory.
- Conduct in-house WSI ISTA Packaging Test when required.
- Provide constructive finishing advice to vendor/factory when necessary.
- Work closely with the Merchandiser /Furniture Technical team at product handover.
JOB HOLDER’S COMPETENCIES & EXPERIENCE:
Basic Skills required:
- Able to understand business statistics.
- Understand furniture manufacturing and product development.
- Understand quality control processes and systems.
- Experience with product design interpretation and communication to a supplier.
- Able to read and understand engineered drawings.
- Experienced in developing furniture color and coating systems.
- At least 10 years experience in a management or supervisory role in product development and/or product
engineering / Quality Control roles.
- Ability to understand various furniture testing protocols (ANSI, ASTM, BIFMA, AATCC, ISTA, etc.)
- Able to provide positive coaching and positive energy to team.
General Skills Required
- Effective communication and report writing skills in English. Verbal Vietnamese is recommended.
- Good negotiation skills with customer-oriented attitude
- Excellent analytical abilities to grasp the key points from complicated details
- Good leadership abilities to drive projects and inspire people.
- Familiarity with the tools, concepts and methodologies of quality management.
- Good interpersonal skills.
- Able to develop, train and coach.
- Enthusiastic, prepare to work in a high pressure working environment.
- Self starter.
- Team Player.
- Responsible.
- Excellent problem solving skills.
Position Title : Test Lab Manager—Furniture and Packaging (01 position)
Reporting to : Director - Product Quality & Assurance/Testing
Work location : Binh Duong Province, Vietnam
JOB PURPOSE:
The Furniture Test Lab Manager will be responsible for operating and maintaining the WSI furniture testing facility.
He/she will manage all aspects of this testing lab to include: actual testing, test reports, and recommended corrective actions for failures.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
- Coordinate and perform protective package testing in accordance with ISTA testing protocols on new sku’s, and sku’s with in-transit damage history.
- Required to provide corrective actions to improve any failed packaging.
- Responsible for generating various reports on package testing failures with recommendations for improvement to the vendor as well as various departments at both the DC and Corporate level.
- Coordinate and perform furniture testing in accordance with WSI furniture testing protocols based on
ANSI, BIFMA, ASTM, AFMA , CSI and EN testing standards.
- Required to provide corrective actions or construction changes to improve any failed items.
- Responsible for generating various reports on furniture testing failures and reworks to the vendor as well
as various departments at both the DC and Corporate level.
- Must have the ability to lead, mentor, and guide up to 5 lab personnel thru these test methods and
testing processes .
JOB HOLDER’S COMPETENCIES & EXPERIENCE:
- Needs a BA or MA in Engineering.
- Have worked for last 5-10 years in an accredited lab specifically in hard lines testing with a focus on
international test standards for furniture.
- Working knowledge of ISO, EN , CSI and US test standards and test equipment is a must.
- Must be able to keep abreast of changes to these standards as outlined by these accrediting scientific
bodies or governmental rule changes
- Exemplary working knowledge of Microsoft Office (including Word, Excel and working knowledge of Access) and Outlook.
- Possess exceptional communication skills and personify professionalism
- Demonstrated Leadership Experience
- Some travel may be required
Position Title : Packaging Engineer (01 position)
Reporting to : Vice President of Engineering in Corporate Office
Work location : Binh Duong Province, Vietnam
JOB PURPOSE:
The Packaging Engineer is responsible for the specification, quality and testing of packaging for Decorative
Accessories, Functional Accessories, Table Top items, Food Products, and Bake/Cookware products. He/she supports Textile and other Soft-Line products. Develops reporting tools to track DC operation costs associated to package integrity
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
- Develop and maintain general and specific packaging specifications that meet transportation and optimal distribution flow requirements for all Decorative Accessories, Functional Accessories, Table Top items, Food Products, Bake/Cookware products, Soft-lines and Textiles Products
- Support the development and implementation of package-testing standards in our two in house package testing labs where testing is based on method of transportation and distribution environment (ISTA-3A).
- Review package test reports for compliance, taking corrective action as necessary.
- Research, designate, and approve packaging suppliers worldwide.
- Analyze damage reports on products and take appropriate corrective actions to eliminate future problems.
JOB HOLDER’S COMPETENCIES & EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelors Degree preferably in packaging or technically related field.
- Minimum 5 years protective packaging experience. Extensive experience in dealing with soft-line/hardline goods and furniture packaging, ISTA-3A packaging experience required
- Project Management experience essential.
- Quality Management experience preferred.
- Process Management experience preferred.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Proficiency in computer applications such as MS Office and Visio. AutoCAD and/or Inventor preferred, WMS knowledge, Access and Crystal knowledge a plus.
- Domestic and International Travel up to 25%
Position Title : Merchandise Manager/ Associate Merchandise Manager (04 positions)
Reports To : Brand Sourcing Director
Work location : Binh Duong Province, Vietnam
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES
1. Product Development:
- Work with SF team on seasonal placement strategy to ensure right product, right vendor
- Fully versed on master calendar and all key dates. Alert Sourcing team when falling off calendar.
- Manage spec packet hand off with factories and furniture technicians
- Communicate target costs and sample ETD’s to vendors, and follow up with customer service teams on weekly progress
- Communicate program approval to vendors and ensure that the factory has an MCS and approved color panel before they go into production
- Ensure vendors are staying on track for testing
- Troubleshoot any issues that come up in production and work with factory to ensure on-time delivery and notify sourcing if there are any major delays.
2. Negotiate costs and MOQs
- Partner with SF team and factories to achieve target retails and margins for seasonal developments
- Obtain agreement on initial and reorder MOQs
- Manage quarterly Master Cost/MOQ file with program updates
- Address factory upcharges as they arise and work with the brand to drive agreements
3. Vendor relations and capacity management
- Align with corporate sourcing teams on short and long term sourcing strategies
- Facilitate On-boarding of new vendors
- Create strong relationships with all of our key vendors
- Conduct monthly capacity forecast and scorecard discussions
- Stay on top of factory issues (strikes, holidays, etc) and communicate as needed to the SF team
4. Sourcing
- Consult with SF sourcing team to understand the material/product needs of approaching seasons
- Visit trade shows in Asia to source new factories as well as network within the furniture industry
- Understand where our competitors are producing their product in your country and understand the capabilities of all of our factories
- Provide quarterly updates on your market
5. Development Trips
- Coordinate development trips with corporate sourcing team
- prepare all documents and samples for team’s visit
6. Manage Furniture Technician
- Prioritize and maintain technician schedule across factories
- Monitor performance and develop goals/growth plan
JOB HOLDER’S COMPETENCIES AND EXPERIENCE
Knowledge
The incumbent must have proficient knowledge in the following areas:
- 8 years of practical experience including 5 years of additional management responsibility
- Knowledge of overseas sourcing and product development
- Knowledge of furniture manufacturing operations
- Preferred experience working with or for a Retailer
Skills
The incumbent must demonstrate the following skills:
- excellent interpersonal skills
- team building skills
- analytical and problem solving skills
- decision making skills
- effective verbal and listening communications skills
- attention to detail and high level of accuracy
- very effective organizational skills
- effective written communications skills
- computer skills including the spreadsheet and word-processing programs, and e-mail at a highly proficient level
- stress management skills
- time management skills
Postion Title : Furniture Engineer (04 positions)
Reporting to : Merchandise Manager
Work location : Binh Duong Province, Vietnam
JOB PURPOSE:
This Furniture Engineer must develop furniture samples from WSI engineering CADs or design sheets that meet or exceed WSI product and packaging testing requirements. He/she must also incorporate the appropriate color development panel or pieces into these furniture samples. He/she supports the Merchandiser Manager and QA production team by providing complete and detailed product information throughout the furniture product development cycle until final approval.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
- Construct furniture samples that meet all the WSI testing requirements.
- Establish a business and technical rapport with factory management and R&D staff.
- Trouble shoot technical issues that arise during furniture sample development.
- Conduct sample testing during development to solve problematic material or construction issues.
- Work with vendors, merchandisers, and US counterparts during sample reviews by providing detailed product data sheets, sample review forms, cost sheets, color panels, and test results to achieve target costs and insure manufacturing efficiency, as well as product quality.
- Communicate and document all sample changes and call outs thru the product design system (PDS or Share point).
- Verify all Product Information Sheets (PIS) are 100% correct before being sent to WSI marketing.
- Conduct pre-production meetings at each vendor; and handover to both the vendor and WSI production teams all final approved sample details, to include; final product data sheet, final sample review form, a signed MCS, a signed MCP, packaging BOM, CAD, any approved step panels or production control panels (PCP…usually distressing white wood panels).
- Supervise any first pilot run with the vendor and WSI production teams.
- Know WSI ISTA packing requirements.
- Know WSI furniture testing requirements.
- Know CPSIA safety requirements for children’s furniture.
JOB HOLDER’S COMPETENCIES & EXPERIENCE:
- Excellent communication and technical skills.
- Able to simplify complex technical information for non-technical individuals.
- Able to work under high pressure environment (seasonal developments).
- Ability to pay close attention to details and provide accurate information to all parties.
- Manage multiple projects and tasks.
- Must have extensive PC experience, and know Microsoft Excel, Word, Power Point and Access.
- Must know Auto-CAD.
- Must know digital photography and photo file management.
- At least 5-10 years relevant working experience as a furniture engineer, furniture technician or furniture production manager in an international company. Product development experience is a must.
- Good understanding of upholstery issues, as it pertains to leather and fabrics.
- Experienced with furniture hardware, glass, resin, and custom metal designs.
- Good written and spoken English/Chinese skills. Verbal communication in Vietnamese language is desired.
- Independent, flexible and hard working
- Systematic approach and good planning skills required.
- Self Starter, Good Initiative, Team Player.
Position Title : Furniture Finish Engineer (01 position)
Reporting to : Country Manager
Work location : Binh Duong Province, Vietnam
JOB PURPOSE:
Develop and oversee WSI furniture finishes in your assigned Asia region. Establish and maintain WSI’s quality standards and procedures, as it pertains to finishing development, vendor production setup and the actual execution of approved finishes ( to include step panel and master control panel approvals), as well as finish testing.
Work with vendors and coating suppliers to reduce furniture returns for quality and damage issues throughout Asia. Educate WSI personnel and coating suppliers, as to what constitutes an acceptable WSI finish.
Explore new coating technologies: low VOC and Water Base systems in Asia.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
- Partner with SF Product Development on developmental furniture finishes (DCP’s), considering such elements as substrates, veneers, distressing and color schemes.
- Keep abreast of finishing trends seen in manufacturing.
- Develop clear understanding of WSI finish needs with product design, coating suppliers, and vendors accordingly.
- Enforce the finish approval processes in Asia to consistently carry out these required tasks across all furniture items. These processes will:
1. Insure all furniture finishes can be manufactured.
2. Insure that the finish approved can meet the WSI brand's legal and quality standards; plus meet customer reliability expectations.
3. Insure that furniture finish specifications given to our furniture vendors and coating suppliers contain detailed technical guidance.
4. Improve on our current MCP and MCS approval processes.
5. Develop a close working relationship with coating suppliers and manufacturers.
6. Develop and use consistent methods of communication to keep all parties informed as to the WSI finishing status by region (vendor production finish data bases, new finish development tracking reports, etc.).
- Recommend effective processes and procedures to improve finish production workflow and results.
- Evaluate and appraise both coating supplier and vendor finish performance.
- Ensure same coating system in multiple vendors within same region all match.
- Review and approve refreshed finish samples, master control samples (for finish and distressing execution).
JOB HOLDER’S CONPETENCIES AND EXPERIENCES:
- Must have 3-5 years experience working within or managing a color lab to develop or test finishing materials.
- Minimum 3-5 years experience as a colorist developing furniture finishes for designers or R&D.
- Minimum 3-5 years experience setting up and managing production finish lines at a furniture factory.
- Preferably chemical engineering degree or 6-10 years experience working with a large international coating company.
- Complete familiarity with hanging line, pallet line, and roller line finishing systems.
- Knowledgeable with NC, PU, Modified PU, AC, UV and water based systems.
Position Title : Business Systems Analyst (01 position)
Reporting to : Country Manager
Work location : Binh Duong Province, Vietnam
JOB PURPOSE:
The Business Systems Analyst’s main responsibility is to build Access database applications and reporting formats to support country performance management objectives, commission reporting and factory inspection certifications. The business analyst will help the Country Manager analyze performance results and implement continuous improvement in reporting methodology.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
- Building databases for
1. Evaluating vendor, country and individual team performance
2. Collecting actual performance against set milestones
3. Collecting shipping information for commission reporting
- Evaluating the data collected and building actionable reports for country manager and US business partners.
- Documenting the acquired results of analysis and workflows as well as obtaining sign-off from the appropriate client.
- Coordinating with the groups of business unit who test, validate, evaluate new applications and functions, and determine issues in services and software.
- Preparing accurate and detailed requirement specifications documents, user interface guides, and functional specification documents.
JOB HOLDER’S COMPETENCIES & EXPERIENCE:
- Advanced skills in MS Access Database Application Development.
- Proficient in SQL queries, VBA programming language.
- Proficient in MS Office.
- Solid mathematical aptitude and effective project management skills.
- Ability to analyze and document complex business processes.
- Ability to think analytically and should be a problem solver.
- Ability to gather and interpret relevant data and information.
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Information Systems or any related field from an accredited institution.
- 2-3 years experience in logistics or supply chain
These are excellent career opportunities for high performing individuals. Salary will be commensurate with experience. If you are interested to be a member of a world-class organization, please email your resume in English to: recruitment@wsgcvn.com
We regret that only short-listed candidates will be notified.
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