The Product Development Director is responsible for leading the product development team and managing the development process from concept to launch.  

PRODUCT ROADMAP & BRAND MANAGEMENT

•          Work closely with product roadmap with the Chief Marketing Officer, which keeps the core brands fresh with new product launches while continually improving the existing product lines.
•          Create and maintain brand development calendars that align with key sales channel presentations, ensuring quality product offerings that fulfill key clients' needed pricing, value, and category requirements.
•          Keep a pulse on worldwide competitive activity and trends to ensure our products surpass the competition
•          Manage overseas team in maintaining updated competitive pricing on existing product lines.
•          Work with customer service, production, and quality control teams to ensure consistently high quality on existing product lines.

NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

•          Lead Product Development and oversee the entire development process from concept to launch.
•          Lead product brainstorming events and process of continual conceptualization of new product ideas.
•          Work closely with the sales team on a client presentation. Develop customer-specific product concepts, address costing & value, and deliver sales materials that exhibit product concepts.
•          Maintain tight development & production schedules, meet all ensuring product milestones and delivery.
•          Conduct market research to ensure product recommendations are at the leading edge of the market.
•          Oversee prototyping and pre-production sample process to assure quality, value, and functionality before production approval.
•          Collaborate closely with oversees team on quoting new products, maintaining detailed specs and factory costs, ensuring that MSRP and product margins reflect high value.

LEADERSHIP

• Implement an agile way of working and drive continuous improvement
• Identify and implement process improvements & troubleshoot challenges, and remove roadblocks
• Manage outside freelancers in the creation of design and 3D drawings as needed.

•          6+ years of the toy industry or closely related consumer product industry
•          Experience working with a global supply chain and overseas vendors
•          Expert skills in Adobe Creative Suite & Microsoft Office; familiarity with PLM systems; CAD design a plus.
•          Strong leadership, passionate about collaboration and developing exciting play opportunities for kids
•          A highly organized individual who can handle multiple concurrent projects working cross-functionally with many teams
•          Proven track record in people management and continual process improvements
•          Must be a driver of results, ensuring that all key milestones are met timely.
•          Deep understanding of product design and manufacturing methods.

Ability to quickly learn company products while staying current with competitive products and markets