Product Development Manager

We are looking for a Product Development Manager to join our client, an established company in the e-commerce industry. This role will lead the development of new physical products from concept to commercialization, ensuring products align with market trends, customer needs, brand direction, and business objectives.

• Develop product strategies aligned with business and brand objectives.
• Translate product strategies into quarterly Product Development Roadmaps across product lines.
• Lead New Product Development (NPD), including new series, bundles, collections, and product line extensions.
• Identify portfolio expansion opportunities based on market research, consumer trends, and business potential.
• Prioritize product development initiatives based on commercial potential, execution capabilities, and available resources.
• Manage the product lifecycle from development through post-launch improvement.

• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and consumer behavior across the US and European markets.
• Track relevant e-commerce platforms including Amazon, Walmart, Etsy, and TikTok Shop, particularly within Art & Craft, DIY, and Activity Kits categories.
• Research new materials, production methods, and product finishing techniques.
• Build and manage an innovation pipeline.
• Translate market and customer insights into new product opportunities and clear product directions.

• Develop frameworks and processes for product concept development.
• Evaluate and validate product concepts before moving into development.
• Ensure product concepts meet requirements for customer experience, functionality, quality, cost, timeline, and manufacturability.

• Own the end-to-end product development process, including Research, Ideation, Brief, Design, Prototyping, Sampling, Validation, and Launch.
• Establish quality and testing criteria at each stage of development.
• Manage multiple product development projects simultaneously.
• Maintain product specifications and documentation.
• Develop and monitor project timelines, milestones, resource plans, and quality standards.
• Proactively identify risks, bottlenecks, and execution issues and drive appropriate solutions.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align on product objectives, quality, cost, and implementation plans.
• Work closely with Supply Chain and external suppliers throughout product development.
• Evaluate materials, packaging, manufacturing feasibility, supplier capabilities, and cost optimization opportunities.
• Ensure products meet relevant quality, safety, e-commerce platform, and intellectual property requirements in target markets.

• Partner with Marketing to develop Go-to-Market plans.
• Support the preparation of product information and materials for sales and marketing activities.
• Monitor post-launch performance, including sales, conversion, customer reviews, return rates, and contribution margin.
• Gather customer feedback and identify opportunities for product improvements, bundles, and product line extensions.

• Lead, manage, and develop the Product Development team.
• Assign and monitor team responsibilities and project progress.
• Set development goals and capability-building plans for team members.
• Provide coaching and training on product development processes and best practices.
• Develop and standardize SOPs, templates, and frameworks to improve product development efficiency.
• Ensure product data is accurate, complete, and up to date.

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Product Design, Industrial Design, Engineering, Supply Chain, Marketing, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in Product Development, Product Management, Category Management, or New Product Development (NPD).
• 3+ years of experience managing a Product Development team.
• Proven experience developing physical products from concept to commercialization.
• Experience managing multiple product development projects simultaneously.
• Hands-on experience working with factories, suppliers, or manufacturing partners.
• Experience developing products for international markets and/or e-commerce platforms, such as Amazon, Shopify, Walmart, or TikTok Shop.
• Experience in Art & Craft, DIY Products, Stationery, Lifestyle & Creative Hobbies, or Home Decor is a strong plus.
• Strong understanding of product development processes, manufacturing, materials, and cost optimization.
• Ability to translate market and customer insights into compelling product value propositions.
• Strong understanding of e-commerce requirements, market regulations, and intellectual property considerations.
• Good English communication skills for working with international partners and reviewing technical and market research materials.
• Certifications in Product Management or Project Management are a plus.

• Product Development
• Market & Consumer Research
• Project Management
• Data & Business Analysis
• Strategic Thinking
• Leadership & Team Management
• Coaching & Mentoring
• Stakeholder Management
• Customer-centric Mindset
• Creative Problem Solving
• Critical Thinking
• Negotiation
• Presentation & Communication
• Time Management
• Adaptability
• Cross-functional Collaboration

Experience with the following is preferred:

• Microsoft Excel / Google Sheets
• Notion / Asana
• AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, or Perplexity for research and product development