About us:

From our humble beginnings in 1964 as a traditional furniture store in Windhoek, Namibia, Weylandts has grown into South Africa’s leading furniture and homeware retailer with 9 stores nationwide. Chris Weylandts inherited his father’s eye for extraordinary furniture and an appreciation for good living in its broadest sense. Under his leadership, the brand evolved into one that is synonymous with bold, confident aesthetics and timeless taste. At the heart of Weylandts’ vision is a unique fusion of clean, contemporary design with the soul of natural material.

Role Overview

We are looking for a strategic and technically astute Technical Manager to lead our technical team in delivering premium, design-led furniture. This role requires a hands-on leader with deep industry knowledge who can drive innovation, operational efficiency, and cost-effectiveness—while ensuring that quality and craftsmanship remain uncompromised.

You will lead a team of Draughtsmen and technical specialists, taking full ownership of the design-to-production process. You will report directly to the CEO and play a key role in shaping the technical roadmap aligned with business goals.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Strategy

• Translate the CEO’s directives and business objectives into actionable technical strategies.
• Lead, mentor, and manage the technical team.
• Build a performance-driven culture centered on innovation, quality, and accountability.
• Ensure all technical outputs align with the brand’s design vision and manufacturing capabilities.

 Project & Product Development

• Lead the technical execution of projects from concept through to production.
• Address design inefficiencies and cost drivers (e.g., reducing material cost in a sofa range).
• Work closely with Product Development, Buying, and Production to ensure feasibility and alignment.

 New Plant Investment  

• Prior to investment, responsible for technical motivation for new equipment/machinery in partnership with Production Manager.
• Ensure capital investment decisions support future growth and efficiency.

 Technical Oversight

• Approve and supervise the production of technical drawings, BOMs, and prototypes.
• Set and enforce technical standards and best practices across the department.
• Guide material selection, joinery solutions, and production methodology enhancements.
• Facilitate accurate handover and communication between technical and production teams.

 Process & Innovation

• Identify and implement improvements in technical workflows and CAD/CAM tools.
• Drive adoption of advanced technologies (e.g., CNC integration, parametric modelling).
• Develop and oversee digital libraries, SOPs, and knowledge-sharing systems to support scalable growth.

 What You Bring:

• Degree or diploma in Industrial Design, Furniture Design, Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 7+ years’ experience in a technical role within furniture or joinery manufacturing.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a leadership or management capacity.
• Deep understanding of wood materials, manufacturing processes, CNC operations, and joinery techniques.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Fusion 360, SolidWorks, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and deliver on time and within budget.

 Competencies & Behaviours for Success:

• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Outstanding project management and organisational abilities.
• Strong leadership and people development skills.
• Detail-oriented with a commitment to precision and quality.
• Collaborative and adaptable – able to work across creative, commercial, and operational teams.
• Passionate about craftsmanship, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Clear and confident communicator, able to simplify complex technical information for stakeholders.