Job Description

Creative Product Developer for Innovative Classroom Educational Products

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Product Developer to join our team, playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of early childhood education through the creation of engaging and innovative classroom products. As a Product Developer, you will be responsible for driving the development and manufacturing of cutting-edge educational materials, from concept to completion, ensuring they meet the highest standards of quality, safety, and functionality.

Key Responsibilities:

• Innovative Concept Development: Bring new and exciting early childhood product concepts to life, providing valuable input on design, functionality, and aesthetics. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to refine and enhance product ideas.
• Market Insight and Trends: Stay at the forefront of industry trends by analyzing market competition, sales data, and emerging educational needs. Identify new opportunities to enhance our product assortment and maintain a competitive edge.
• Effective Communication: Clearly communicate product concepts through well-articulated written and verbal communication, supported by recognizable sketches. Work closely with Buyers, Category Managers, and Management to ensure a shared vision for product development.
• Supplier Collaboration: Manage relationships with domestic and foreign vendors, ensuring clear communication of product construction details and expectations. Negotiate prices and minimum order quantities to meet company and department goals.
• Quality Assurance: Collaborate with internal Quality Assurance teams to uphold safety and quality standards during the development process. Evaluate product samples and prototypes, providing constructive feedback to vendors while staying on budget and deadline.
• Project Management: Handle multiple projects at various stages of development, meeting web and catalog deadlines. Utilize organizational skills to track and manage product details through regular status reports.
• Team Collaboration: Work both independently and collaboratively, contributing expertise to the team, actively participating in discussions, and accepting guidance when necessary. Foster a positive and collaborative working environment.
• Representative Role: Represent the Product Development and Merchandising departments in product presentations, sales meetings, and trade shows. Contribute to marketing strategies and occasional trade show set-ups.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated on retail trends, including retail math concepts of cost, retail, and margin. Actively engage in professional development to enhance skills and knowledge.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in the early childhood market (ages 0-8).
• Experience in product design and development, preferably with materials such as wood, wood laminates, fabric, molded plastics, metal tubing, paper, and chipboard.
• Degree in business administration, merchandising, marketing, early education, or related fields is highly desired.
• Knowledge of Head Start and Common Core State Standards is a plus.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and MAC Photoshop, along with strong Excel skills.
• Familiarity with US safety standards for children's products.

Join us in creating a positive impact on early childhood education by bringing your creativity, expertise, and passion to our innovative product development team. If you are excited about shaping the future of learning, we invite you to apply and be a part of our dynamic and collaborative work environment.

Excelligence is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees, employment applicants and other covered persons without regard to unlawful considerations of race, color, religion or creed, gender, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship status, genetic information, military or veteran status, age, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws

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