Product Development Manager

Product Development Manager

We are an importer/agent of Seasonal décor and lighting, General merchandise, Small Electronics and Hardware products in Arlington, Texas for the past 19 years selling to major retailers in US, and Canada. As our company growing, we are looking for the Product Development Manager that can work in our company for long term and willing to grow. The position will involve the interaction contacting our factories and branch in China and other Asia countries. We are looking for a stable person that looking for career advancement in our small company at this point. 

Position Summary

Responsible for conceptualizing, communicating, and executing the direction and development of assigned buying projects from inception to completion.  Works closely with CEO, Sales/Marketing, Product Development Assistant, Import Account Coordinator and designers to gain knowledge of opportunities in the marketplace and propose solutions to fit with the marketing direction and the brand strategies considering price points and marketing mix.  Project coordination will include both assisting and managing. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities of the position:

• Developing a strategic plan to penetrate existing accounts. Working with CEO, Designers, Product Development Assistant and China office very closely as well on samples follow-up and preparation. Meeting deadlines for our collections and new products to show to our customers for review in terms of catalogs and samples.
• Creating and completing programs for different product lines within assigned time frame. Complete the product catalog and sell sheets for each season in different lines within company deadline.
• Actively assisting with finding new categories and maintaining current categories as well. This will include market research comparisons with the current and future markets and create trend guides based on market research.
• Actively source new suppliers to increase the market competition in terms of quality and pricing.  This will require analyzing the suppliers’ quotes.
• Work with cross-functional teams to identify and resolve issues for the customers.
• Quickly learn the product lines, study market trends, and stay current on company competitors and any opportunities which includes “comp shops” – taking pictures at retail stores.
• Liaison between our CEO, Designers, Import Account Coordinators and sales team.
• Working with Import Account Coordinators and China office manager on existing and new products for customers including cost negotiation to gain better margin.
• Follow-up on projects after meetings with China’s staff, offshore designers, and factories sometimes during off working hours.
• The capability to use photoshop and illustrator is a must. Required basic design skills.
• Review product development sample quality, give feedback and work with China team or suppliers to complete product development.
• We will review your performance quarterly with your direct supervisor and top management.
• We also will have book review as a company every 4 months.  
• Position may require up to 30% domestic/international travel for factories visit, trade show and meetings.
• Performance review – 60% is based on margin and sales growth for the overall business, 20% is based on teamwork performance, and 20% is whole company growth.

Physical Demands:

•   Sit mostly throughout the day
•   Use a computer/keyboard/phone throughout the day
•   Ability to move/lift 30lbs.
•   Ability to use land/air transportation for out of office travel as required.
•   Ability to set up and attend various trade shows when need it to.

Work Conditions:

•   General office conditions 
•   Health, dental and vision insurance will be provided at 100% paid by the company after 3 months of work.
•   Simple IRA plan after 6 months of work.

Forever Gifts, Inc