The Hospitality R&D Manager is responsible for leading the technical design development of hospitality products, ensuring customer requirements and design intent are translated into functional, durable, manufacturable, and production-ready solutions.

This role owns construction development, technical detailing, feasibility review, drawing quality, and technical validation through sampling and pre-production. The role works closely with the Hospitality Product Development Manager to ensure technical solutions are also cost-aware, well-coordinated, and ready for smooth production handover

R&D Leadership

• Lead the Hospitality R&D team in developing practical, innovative, and production-ready technical solutions for hospitality projects.
• Manage and prioritize R&D workload in line with project schedules, customer requirements, and department priorities.
• Ensure design intent is translated into clear and technically correct solutions that balance aesthetics, function, durability, manufacturability, and quality expectations.
• Build and improve R&D standards, technical working methods, and development discipline for hospitality projects.
• Support the Vice Director Hospitality in strengthening technical capability and design development quality across the department.

Design Development & Technical CoordinationOversee technical development of hospitality furniture, millwork, fixtures, lighting, artwork, and accessories based on customer requirements and design specifications.

• Review design concepts and technical details to ensure alignment with:
  • functionality
  • aesthetics
  • manufacturability
  • durability for hospitality use
  • required quality standards
• Coordinate closely with Sales, Project Managers, Product Development, Draftsmen, Engineering Technical, and external designers / architects to refine technical solutions.
• Lead technical review of construction details, dimensions, materials, finishes, and assembly methods before release to sample or production stages.
• Ensure all technical outputs are properly documented, including:
  • drawings
  • specifications
  • material requirements
  • finish requirements
  • compliance requirements
• Drive timely resolution of technical issues during development and pre-production stages.

Construction Standards & Technical FeasibilityDevelop and maintain standard construction guidelines for hospitality products to ensure strength, durability, consistency, and technical reliability.

• Review construction methods, thickness standards, joint details, and material applications to support long-term hospitality use.
• Define technical rules and best practices for loose furniture and related products to reduce risk of design weakness or inconsistency.
• Support Product Development and Costing teams by providing technically sound construction options and feasibility feedback.
• Ensure R&D outputs reduce risk of technical failure, repeated revisions, and production inefficiencies.

Sampling & Prototype Technical Validation

• Support technical coordination of samples and prototypes required for design validation, construction testing, customer approval, and internal review.
• Ensure sampling supports:
  • technical validation
  • material and finish feasibility
  • construction verification
  • quality expectations
• Coordinate with Sample Workshop, Product Development, QA, and related departments to ensure samples are technically correct and completed on time.
• Review and approve technical readiness before samples are released for customer evaluation or internal sign-off.
• Ensure lessons learned from sample and prototype stages are captured and reflected in final drawings, specifications, and development standards.

Production Handover & Technical Support

· Ensure all R&D outputs are technically complete and accurate before handover to Engineering Technical and Production teams.

• Confirm technical packages include all required design and construction information for downstream execution.
• Support pre-production reviews, technical clarification, and problem-solving to reduce risk during production launch.
• Ensure design changes are technically reviewed, documented, and communicated before production release.
• Support Product Development in confirming that technical content within the handover package is complete and reliable.

Process & Systems Improvement

• Develop and improve standard procedures for hospitality R&D activities, including:
  • design development workflow
  • drawing review
  • sample validation
  • technical approval
  • change management
  • production handover support
• Support clear control of design revisions and technical changes in coordination with PM, Sales, Product Development, and Engineering Technical.
• Support integration and accuracy of R&D information in ERP and related tracking systems.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance technical quality, documentation accuracy, and coordination efficiency.
• Standardize technical documentation, drawing review practices, construction rules, and approval discipline across hospitality projects.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop the Hospitality R&D team.
• Assign responsibilities clearly and ensure accountability for technical deliverables and deadlines.
• Conduct regular performance review, feedback, and capability development for team members.
• Build a team culture focused on technical excellence, responsiveness, problem-solving, and collaboration.
• Support capability building in furniture construction, hospitality materials, finishes, technical detailing, and development standards.

Cross-Functional Collaboration Requirement

• Work in close coordination with the Hospitality Product Development Manager throughout the full project lifecycle.
• Support Product Development by providing technically correct solutions, feasibility review, drawing accuracy, and technical validation.
• Cooperate with Product Development to ensure technical solutions are aligned with project timing, cost expectations, sample needs, and production readiness