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
42
42
years of professional experience
Work History
Product Development Manager
Vision Contract Manufacturing/Revival American Contract Manufacturing
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.
Senior Project Manager
Vision Contract Manufacturing
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
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 Administrative Assistant
Klaussner Furniture Industries, Inc.
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.
Executive Office Assistant
Klaussner Furniture Industries, Inc.
04.1991 - 03.2011
- Assisted company Owner, President/CEO, CFO and VP of Sales in daily office routine.
- Assisted CFO with maintenance of financial accounts of owner and company philanthropic foundation to include monthly maintenance of various banking accounts as well as real estate holdings in the United States.
- Processed travel expenses and reimbursements for executive team and senior management group.
- Organized and coordinated conferences such as furniture markets and monthly meetings.
- Answered high volume of phone calls and email inquiries.
- Screened calls and emails and initiated actions to respond or direct messages for managers.
- Supported business and hospitality needs of corporate partners and staff during meetings and company events.
Customer Service Account Executive
Klaussner Furniture Industries, Inc.
09.1989 - 04.1991
- Assisted sales representatives for an 11 state territory plus two major retail chains in the Midwestern United States.
- Utilized proper telephone etiquette and asked in-depth questions to expedite solutions to issues for customers.
- Responded to customer requests for products, services, and company information.
Children’s Division Manager
Belk Yates Department Store
09.1986 - 09.1989
- Responsible for overall management of infant/toddlers, girls and boys clothing departments.
- Purchased all merchandise, planned marketing and visual display of merchandise, and coordinated special event sales whether store wide or departmental.
- Planned purchasing budgets for division made up of thirteen departments to include all buying plans and sales plans to meet overall margin and profit goals for the store.
- Managed 20 full and part time employees to achieve division objectives.
- Achieved best sales growth (10-15%) in store for two consecutive years.
Assistant Buyer Ladies’ Division
Belk Yates Department Store
07.1984 - 09.1986
- Assisted division manager in overall management of all ladies clothing departments.
- Attended merchandise shows and assisted in selection of merchandise for 5 departments
- Created visual displays of merchandise
- Scheduled department employees
- Assisted in all sales and special event planning and implementation.
Education
B.A. - Economics
University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC06.1984
Skills
- Product issue resolution
- Vendor relations and negotiation
- Manufacturing expertise
- Cost estimations
- Design thinking
- Project management
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 Administrative Assistant
Klaussner Furniture Industries, Inc.
03.2011 - 12.2016
Executive Office Assistant
Klaussner Furniture Industries, Inc.
04.1991 - 03.2011
Customer Service Account Executive
Klaussner Furniture Industries, Inc.
09.1989 - 04.1991
Children’s Division Manager
Belk Yates Department Store
09.1986 - 09.1989
Assistant Buyer Ladies’ Division
Belk Yates Department Store
07.1984 - 09.1986
B.A. - Economics
University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill