Director of Product Development & Innovation

Horizon Group USA, Inc. • New Providence, NJ

4d • $130,000 - $170,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Product Development & Innovation is responsible for driving the product development and innovation strategy for assigned categories. This includes trend identification and translation, developing product assortments and custom programs, rationalizing go-forward products, and driving category growth by identifying new, adjacent opportunities within the Kids Craft & Activity areas. The role requires a passion for product, an entrepreneurial spirit, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Requirements

• At least 8 years of product development/merchandising/brand management experience, ideally within a very fast-paced, quick turnaround industry.
• Experience with custom product development is required.
• Must be a dynamic, passionate leader with ability to multi-task amidst shifting priorities.
• Must have strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively present in front of large audiences.
• Must have the ability to work in a hybrid capacity from our New Providence, NJ office at least twice per week.

Nice To Haves

• Toy, Tween or Craft experience is HIGHLY preferred.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the vision of designated brands, including driving the development and execution of products that align with assigned brands/programs.
• Oversee the creative product development process, enforcing key milestones from product conceptualization to merchandising pass-off, working alongside senior cross-functional leadership.
• Drive new product execution while maintaining the existing portfolio of products and leading white space due diligence efforts to identify growth avenues.
• Mentor the creative development team on the connection between ideation, marketability, sales generation, and profitability.
• Work alongside merchandising teams to ensure all projects align with divisional strategic goals.
• Strategize with sales and merchandising leads on quantifying and prioritizing new category growth opportunities.
• Collaborate with design and engineering team members to generate and execute new product and packaging concepts.
• Communicate with overseas offices on existing brands, new product development, and global sourcing initiatives; lead strategic sourcing/negotiations efforts.
• Proactively work alongside product safety and compliance teams to ensure a consistently high level of quality for all kids product categories.
• Lead regular competitive landscape reports, identifying key market and product gaps and opportunities.
• Collaborate with internal teams to prepare for retail presentations and industry trade shows.
• Partner with merchandising leads on strategic costing negotiations in collaboration with global sourcing and overseas merchandising teams.
• Understand POS data and identify plans to capitalize on trending products and categories, as well as identify gaps in distribution and retail laddering.
• Collaborate across the organization to lead product vision alongside design execution, and provide product development leadership to all segments of the business.
• Professionally train, develop, and mentor members of the product development & innovation team.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed