MW Sr Product Developer

MindWare•Roseville, MN

18h•$84,000 - $97,000•Onsite

About The Position

As our MindWare Senior Product Developer , you will be responsible for developing products from concept to finished goods for all departments and business units with minimal guidance and instruction from management. You will draw from extensive market experience and industry knowledge to generate new product concepts that will appeal to our customers and achieve or exceed sales expectations. This position is a key role for the department in areas such as competitive shopping/vendor sourcing, mass retailer relations and/or initial concept screening. This position is onsite in Roseville, MN.

Requirements

Good sense of color and attention to detail
Ability to work creatively within the pressure of deadlines
Excellent organizational, communication and time management skills
Must have an excellent attitude and be receptive to art direction and input from others as part of the product development team
A good understanding of pre-press and print processes
Ability to perform job in a safe manner
Proficiency in Microsoft Office with strong analytical skills
A four-year degree with at least eight years experience in a product development role or equivalent work experience.
Minimum of eight years experience in a product development role

Responsibilities

Designs products for approved concepts
Develops specifications for new products to ensure manufacturability and acceptable quality at the target price point
Evaluates toy, game and book submissions from authors and inventors, possibly in a lead capacity
Troubleshoots ways to improve functionality, marketability or affordability of internally developed concepts or external submissions with adequate potential
Works with Buyers, Product Development Manager, Inventors, Package Designers, Copywriters and Editors to make revisions/improvements to products and package designs until approved
Works within established timeframes for each project and meets departmental and Merchandising deadlines
Generates new product concepts based on department performance trends, market opportunities and trends, assortment gaps and identified key occasions, themes and cross-departmental concepts
Collaborates regularly with other departments, including Merchandise Buying, Brand Merchants, Sourcing and Creative
May also be a key liaison between mass retailers and Product Development
Communicates effectively with our overseas vendors regarding new artwork, samples, required revisions and production processes
Stays abreast of market trends, themes, materials, techniques and competition by local competitive shopping, reviewing industry publications, on-line research, etc.
Brings pertinent information and concept ideas to weekly Innovation League meetings
Market shops, locally and regionally, collecting ideas and reference samples that can be used as inspiration for new products or designs
Proofs puzzles, packaging copy, card content and rules
Abides by all policies and procedures of MindWare and Oriental Trading Company
Maintains regular, predictable attendance
Must be able to attend face to face meetings on short or little advance notice
Work in the MindWare Department office environment requires in-person collaboration among colleagues and contractors
Reviews new item pre-production and production samples to ensure samples match artwork and specifications, function properly and are acceptable quality for our customers
Prepares mock-up products and finished craft projects for play testing and photography
Travels to industry tradeshows for market research , possibly in a leading role by attending international and national trade shows and arranging appointments and company visits with potential vendors.
Reports pertinent information back to Innovation League
Performs other related duties and projects as assigned