Reports to: Founder & Creative Director
Hours: Part-time (with the opportunity to transition into a full-time position)
Location: Melbourne Showroom, with flexibility for hybrid working

About Zenn Design

Zenn Design is a Melbourne-based furniture brand specialising in highly crafted furniture for residential and commercial interiors.

Alongside our established made-to-order furniture and upholstery offering, we are expanding our Ready-Made collections through carefully considered design collaborations, strategic supplier partnerships, and a combination of overseas manufacturing and local finishing.

We are entering an exciting stage of growth and are seeking a highly experienced design, sourcing and production professional to lead this evolving area of the business.

About the Role

The Ready-Made Collections, Sourcing & Production Manager will lead the development and delivery of Zenn Design's Ready-Made furniture collections.

Working closely with the Founders, external designers, manufacturers and the wider Zenn team, you will oversee the complete product lifecycle—from concept development and technical refinement through to sourcing, sampling, production, quality assurance and final delivery.

This role requires someone who is equally comfortable in design conversations, factory meetings and commercial discussions. You are an exceptional communicator with strong relationship-building skills, a polished and professional manner, and the ability to confidently manage multiple stakeholders across Australia and internationally.

As the Ready-Made category continues to grow, you will play a key leadership role in shaping supplier relationships, production systems and future collections while ensuring every product reflects Zenn Design's commitment to quality, craftsmanship and thoughtful design.

This role will involve occasional interstate and international travel to visit manufacturers, suppliers, production facilities, trade fairs and industry events.

Key Responsibilities

Product Design & Development

• Lead the development of Zenn Design's Ready-Made collections from concept through to production alongside our collaborating designers.
• Work closely with the Founders, internal team and external collaborators to refine product concepts, materials, finishes and construction details.
• Translate design concepts into technical drawings, specifications and production-ready documentation.
• Review product proportions, functionality, construction methods and commercial viability.
• Coordinate prototypes and product samples, providing detailed feedback and managing revisions through to final approval.
• Ensure every product aligns with Zenn Design's design language, quality standards and commercial objectives.
• Contribute ideas for future collections, product categories and ongoing designer collaborations.

Sourcing & Supplier Management

• Identify, establish and maintain relationships with local and overseas manufacturers, suppliers and production partners.
• Source materials, components, finishes, hardware and packaging that align with Zenn Design's aesthetic, quality standards and commercial objectives.
• Request, review and negotiate quotations, lead times, minimum order quantities and supplier agreements.
• Maintain clear, professional communication with suppliers throughout development and production.
• Evaluate supplier capability, quality standards, production capacity and long-term suitability.
• Build and maintain an organised supplier and material database. Identify alternative suppliers, materials and manufacturing solutions to improve quality, lead times and commercial outcomes.

Production Management

• Manage approved products from sampling through to bulk production and final delivery.
• Prepare and oversee production schedules, critical paths and project timelines.
• Issue and manage purchase orders, specifications and production documentation.
• Monitor production progress and proactively resolve quality, manufacturing or timeline issues.
• Coordinate freight, logistics, warehousing and local finishing to ensure products arrive on time and to the required standard.
• Work closely with the operations team to coordinate product arrivals, stock allocation and launch timelines.
• Support landed-cost analysis, production budgeting and product margin planning.
• Maintain visibility across production quantities, inventory levels and future ordering requirements.

Quality Assurance

• Establish and maintain quality standards across all Ready-Made products.
• Review samples, finishes, materials and production units prior to approval.
• Conduct quality control inspections and document defects or production inconsistencies.
• Work with suppliers to resolve manufacturing issues and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure packaging meets Zenn Design standards and adequately protects products during transport.
• Continually review production processes and identify opportunities for quality and efficiency improvements.

Commercial & Strategic Leadership

• Work alongside the Founders to develop the long-term strategy and product roadmap for the Ready-Made division.
• Support pricing strategy, product margins, forecasting and collection planning.
• Provide accurate product information, specifications and timelines to the Sales, Marketing and Operations teams.
• Coordinate product launches by ensuring samples, imagery, stock and technical information are delivered on schedule.
• Monitor global furniture, manufacturing and material trends to identify future opportunities.
• Help develop scalable systems and processes to support the continued growth of the Ready-Made division.
• Represent Zenn Design in meetings with suppliers, collaborators, designers and key industry partners.

About you

You are a highly experienced furniture design, sourcing and production professional who thrives on bringing exceptional products to market.

You are equally comfortable discussing design concepts with creative collaborators as you are negotiating with manufacturers and solving production challenges. You have excellent commercial awareness, exceptional attention to detail and understand how every decision—from materials and construction through to packaging and logistics—contributes to the final customer experience.

You are proactive, organised and solutions-focused, with outstanding communication and relationship-building skills. You enjoy working collaboratively, take ownership of your projects and are excited by the opportunity to help build and lead a growing product category within an ambitious Australian design brand.

You are also willing and able to travel internationally when required to build supplier relationships, oversee production, attend trade fairs and support the ongoing growth of Zenn Design's global manufacturing network.

Experience & Skills

• Demonstrated experience in furniture, interiors, product design, sourcing, manufacturing or production management.
• Proven experience working with local and overseas manufacturers and suppliers.
• Strong understanding of furniture construction, product development, sampling and production processes.
• Experience preparing or interpreting technical drawings, specifications and production documentation.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience negotiating pricing, lead times and supplier agreements.
• Excellent project management and organisational skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, stakeholders and deadlines simultaneously.
• Willingness to undertake occasional interstate and international travel.

If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, we'd love to hear from you.

Please email your resume and a brief cover letter to careers@zenndesign.com.au with the subject line Design Consultant.

Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.