Options Manager

Role Overview

The Options Manager leads the development, management, and continuous evolution of Blue Heron’s company-wide options program across all product types. Working in exceptionally close partnership with Architecture, Interior Design, Estimating, Purchasing, Marketing, and Sales, this role ensures that all offered options are:

• Aligned with client preferences
• True to Blue Heron’s brand and design integrity
• Supportive of profitability and operational efficiency
• Positioned for future market needs as the company grows

The Options Manager owns the interior finish options program and serves as a collaborative partner for architectural, interior design, furnishings, and outdoor categories. This role is highly data-driven and innovation-focused, maintaining robust analytics and continuously scanning the market for trends, materials, and technologies that keep Blue Heron’s options suite modern, cohesive, and high-performing.

Key Responsibilities

Program Ownership & Strategy

• Lead the vision, structure, and ongoing evolution of Blue Heron’s options program across all product lines.
• Develop and maintain an options roadmap that supports company strategies, brand standards, and margin goals.
• Serve as a key voice in options catalog decisions, jointly stewarding what is included, evolved, or retired.
• Ensure all options are curated to present a cohesive, modern, and “on-brand” offering that reflects Blue Heron’s design leadership.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Architecture and Interior Design to ensure options support design intent and future product plans.
• Collaborate with Estimating and Purchasing to validate feasibility, cost accuracy, lead times, and supply chain reliability.
• Work with Sales and Design Studio/Client Experience teams to ensure offerings are compelling, clear, and easy to present to clients.
• Facilitate feedback loops across teams to continuously refine the options catalog based on real-world experience and results.

Catalog Development & Maintenance

• Own the interior finish options catalog, including flooring, tile, counters, cabinetry, fixtures, and other related finishes.
• Act as a partner and influencer for architectural, interior architectural, furnishings, and outdoor options, ensuring strong alignment.
• Establish and maintain clear standards, naming conventions, option levels, and “good-better-best” structures.
• Oversee lifecycle management of options, including introductions, refreshes, and discontinuations.
• Ensure all options are accurately documented in systems and tools used by Estimating, Purchasing, Sales, and Design.

Analytics & Performance Management

• Build and maintain robust analytics around option take rates, profitability, pricing sensitivity, and selection trends.
• Translate data into clear, actionable recommendations for leadership and cross-functional partners.
• Regularly review option performance to identify underperformers, margin risk, and opportunities for simplification or expansion.
• Develop reporting that helps the business understand how options are impacting revenue, margin, cycle time, and client satisfaction.

Innovation, Trends & Competitive Intelligence

• Continuously research design trends, client preferences, emerging materials, and relevant technologies.
• Benchmark competitive builders and design-led firms to understand how Blue Heron can differentiate and lead.
• Pilot new concepts and option offerings in collaboration with design and product teams, measuring impact and client response.
• Ensure future-focused thinking is incorporated into the options roadmap as Blue Heron expands into new markets and product types.

Process, Systems & Governance

• Partner with internal stakeholders to build efficient, scalable processes for option creation, approval, maintenance, and communication.
• Ensure all changes are controlled through a clear governance process, with appropriate review and sign-off.
• Support the implementation and ongoing optimization of any systems (ERP, estimating, configuration, or design tools) used to manage options.
• Maintain clear documentation and training materials so teams can confidently present and execute options.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design, Architecture, Construction Management, Business, or related field; or equivalent experience.
• 5–8+ years of experience in one or more of the following:
• Homebuilder options management / design center management
• Interior design with a strong focus on product standards & finishes
• Purchasing/estimating in residential construction with exposure to client options
• Experience in luxury or high-end residential construction and design is strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of residential construction, interior finishes, and architectural components.
• Comfortable working with estimating, ERP, or configuration tools; strong Excel/Smartsheet skills.
• Proven ability to interpret and act on data (take rates, margins, cost trends, etc.).
• Ability to read and understand architectural and interior design drawings/specifications.

How Success Will Be Measured

• KPIs
• Options take rates
• Options margins
• Days to sign off for Community Homes
• ID EPOs
• A cohesive, modern, on-brand options suite that is easy for clients and internal teams to understand and use.
• Improved option take rates and margins, with clear analytics and insights regularly shared with leadership.
• Strong feedback from Architecture, Interior Design, Estimating, Purchasing, and Sales regarding collaboration and clarity.
• Demonstrated innovation in offerings and processes that support Blue Heron’s growth and reputation as an industry leader.