Joan Malmo Howard
Asheboro,NC
Summary
Seasoned furniture industry associate with a mixed skill set in administrative tasks, merchandising, product development, and project management in both residential manufacturing setting and contract residential and hospitality sectors. Talented department manager well-versed in product research, design and development. Hardworking and focused professional with in-depth understanding of market, customer, and business needs. Top-notch team leader and complex problem-solver.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Product Development Manager
Vision Contract Manufacturing/Revival American Contract Manufacturing
High Point, NC
08.2025 - Current
- Oversee the entire process of creating 15-20 new products monthly for residential and hospitality clients - from the initial concept specs to the final prototype and on to the production phase. Key responsibilities include setting up new models, coordinating line drawings between engineers and customers, leading design with four pattern developers on the prototypes, ensuring quality assurance, and finally creating bills of materials and working through the costing with suppliers to ensure profit margins are attainable. Work to manage product timelines, and ensure products meet both customer needs and business goals.
- Conducted product inspections to meet organizational and industry standards and requirements.
- Identified opportunities for new products and improvements to existing products to fulfill client requirements.
- Led cross-functional teams to drive product development initiatives and enhance collaboration.
- Streamlined product lifecycle processes to improve efficiency and reduce time-to-market.
- Implemented quality assurance protocols, ensuring compliance with industry standards and client specifications.
- Developed strategic product roadmaps aligning with market trends and customer feedback.
- Mentored junior team members, fostering skill development and knowledge sharing within the department.
- Established vendor relationships to optimize supply chain operations for new product launches.
- Coordinated project timelines and deliverables, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives and stakeholder expectations.
- Oversaw development of more than [75] new products each year.
- Maintained internal product knowledge database.
- Improved internal collaboration between departments such as engineering, design, manufacturing, marketing using effective communication strategies.
- Coordinated with suppliers and vendors to negotiate contracts, ensuring cost-effective sourcing for materials and components.
- Championed a culture of innovation, encouraging team members to explore new ideas and challenge conventional approaches.
- Distinguished product issues and gathered information on customer experiences.
Senior Project Manager
Vision Contract Manufacturing
High Point, NC
05.2023 - 07.2025
- Managed project orders from the point of receipt through new product development and on to production, shipping and invoicing phases of the entire project. Worked with customers on receipt of fabric and finishes as well as step by step development from line drawings through development to the final product. Worked with multiple retail customers in the initial development of new product lines for April and October 2025 furniture markets. Continue to assistant the newer project manager when necessary.
Design Administrator
Charter Furniture
Liberty, NC
01.2016 - 04.2023
- Coordinated the workflow of Product Development/Engineering Department from sales order entry to shipment of all new development and custom hospitality furniture and new senior living product lines. Created 75-100 model worksheets weekly for customer approval to include model orientation, COM placement & direction, dimensions & quantities to ensure accuracy of customer orders. Initiate product development process for custom models and hotel brand new program models. Ensured all spec information and customer renderings were collected from customer and sales staff to aide CAD engineers in line drawing process. Worked with customer service (CSR)/project managers (PM) for line drawing approvals and confirmed fulfillment dates with CSR/PM to execute on time shipments of samples to customers. Resolved fabric/finish issues between developers and CSR/PM. Worked with sales & hotel brand managers to finalize brand program models to provide appropriate info/model numbers for BOM & model setup. Maintained import QC reports & sample photo files for correct model posting to website. Evaluated line drawing info, model description setup in Epicor system, model descriptions on company website, and brand program quotes to ensure all align with correct product info.
- Created and managed project plans and timelines..
- Collected, arranged, and input information into database system.
Comfort Design Marketing & Design Assistant
Klaussner Furniture Industries, Inc.
Asheboro, NC
03.2011 - 12.2016
- Assisted Division Vice President in all aspects of Comfort Design Furniture including style selection, fabric and leather selections, and merchandise sales support to sales representatives.
- Coordinated with the product development department for new styles introduced at the furniture markets and accurate and profitable margins.
- Ensured an accurate price book compilation, distribution of price books, all pre-market sales aids, promotions and swatches to sales representatives and dealers.
- Maintained website updates and intensive work to correct manufactured product quality issues.
- Coordinated development of marketing materials for market showrooms ad retail sales floors.
- Assisted showroom designer with showroom set up bi-annually at the International Home Furnishings Market in High Point and the World Market Center in Las Vegas.
- Contributed to exceeded planned sales growth of $26 million in only 6 years from the division startup.
- Coordinated marketing campaigns across digital platforms to enhance brand visibility.
- Developed promotional materials to support product launches and events.
- Analyzed campaign performance metrics to optimize future strategies.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure project alignment and execution.
- Managed inventory of marketing collateral and ensured timely distribution.
- Input new data, updated old records and cross-checked information to keep marketing database up-to-date.
- Assisted in developing design concepts and layouts for various projects.
- Collaborated with senior designers to refine design elements and ensure project alignment.
- Managed project timelines, ensuring timely delivery of design materials and resources.
- Organized design files and resources, facilitating easy access for team members.
- Assisted with the creation of visually appealing presentations to effectively communicate design concepts and ideas.
- Enhanced design project efficiency by streamlining communication between team members and clients.
- Provided valuable input during brainstorming sessions, contributing to the development of creative design solutions.
- Worked with vendors and showrooms to produce quotes.
- Visited job sites to take notes and record space measurements to create floor plans.
- Participated in client meetings, presenting design concepts confidently and professionally while addressing feedback constructively.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Economics
University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NCSkills
- Vendor relations and negotiation
- Manufacturing expertise and design thinking
- Data-driven decision making
- Risk assessment and competitive analysis
- Product roadmapping and launch planning
- Project management
- Production expertise
- Supply chain coordination
- Cost estimations
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Reliability
- Excellent communication
- Organizational skills
- Team leadership and collaboration
Timeline
Product Development Manager
Vision Contract Manufacturing/Revival American Contract Manufacturing
08.2025 - Current
Senior Project Manager
Vision Contract Manufacturing
05.2023 - 07.2025
Design Administrator
Charter Furniture
01.2016 - 04.2023
Comfort Design Marketing & Design Assistant
Klaussner Furniture Industries, Inc.
03.2011 - 12.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Economics
University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill