Job Summary:
The Director of Product Development and Production will lead and manage the entire product lifecycle, from conceptualization and design through production and launch. This role is pivotal in ensuring that products meet market demands, quality standards, and are delivered on time and within budget. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in product development, production management, and a deep understanding of market trends. Private Label experience is a must
Key Responsibilities:
1. Leadership & Strategy:
- Develop and implement product development and production strategies aligned with the company's goals.
- Lead a cross-functional team of product managers, engineers, designers, and production staff.
- Collaborate with senior leadership to set priorities effectively.
2. Product Development:
- Oversee the entire product development process from ideation to launch.
- Ensure that products are designed to meet customer needs, industry standards, regulatory requirements.
- Collaborate with R&D, design, and marketing teams for innovation.
3. Production Management:
- Manage production processes for efficiency, quality assurance, cost-effectiveness.
- Work closely with manufacturing partners/suppliers for timely delivery of materials/products.
- Implement quality control standards/processes.
4. Market Research & Analysis:
-Conduct market research to identify trends/needs/opportunities for new product development.
-Analyze competitive products/market dynamics to inform strategy.
-Gather/interpret customer feedback for continuous improvement.
5. Stakeholder Communication:
-Serve as primary point of contact for all product development/production-related matters.
-Discuss progress/challenges/solutions with internal/external stakeholders.
-Build/maintain strong relationships with key partners (suppliers/distributors/clients).
Qualifications:
Education:
-Bachelor's degree in Product Development/Engineering/Business Administration or related field (MBA or advanced degree is a plus).
Experience:
-8+ years of experience in product development and production management, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
-Proven track record of successfully bringing products from concept to market.
-Experience in managing cross-functional teams and working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Skills:
-Strong leadership and team management skills.
-Excellent project management and organizational abilities.
-In-depth knowledge of production processes, quality control, and supply chain management.
-Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
-Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
-Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams/stakeholders.
Technical Proficiency:
-Familiarity with product lifecycle management (PLM) software/tools.
-Proficient in project management software
-Knowledge of CAD and other design software is a plus.
Working Conditions:
-Occasional travel may be required to visit manufacturing sites, suppliers, industry events.
-Mainly office-based with some time spent in production facilities.
