Product Development Manager
About The Position
Calyan Wax Co. is a mission-driven candle company committed to becoming the top 100% soy candle brand in the United States. We are known for our product reliability, exceptional customer service, and unwavering dedication to funding the fight against human trafficking. Since our founding in 2017, we have achieved considerable growth, establishing ourselves as a key player in the soy candle market nationwide. The Product Development Manager will oversee the full product development lifecycle, including ideation, market research, prototyping, testing, and product launch. They will identify trends and opportunities through data and consumer insights, ensuring our product offerings meet customer needs and stand out in the marketplace. This role will also manage ongoing product improvements, monitor the performance of existing products, and provide recommendations based on KPI tracking and analysis. A strong candidate will have experience in consumer goods, an understanding of fragrance or lifestyle products, and a blend of creative vision and operational expertise.
Requirements
- 5+ years Project management experience
- Strong organizational skills
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to write and execute detailed SOPs
- Design experience (ideally Adobe suite and Canva)
- Willingness to continuously learn and improve skills
- Ability to collaborate and consistently work cross-departmentally
- Experience in consumer goods
- Understanding of fragrance or lifestyle products
- Blend of creative vision and operational expertise
Nice To Haves
- Experience working with fragrance products
Responsibilities
- Oversee the full product development lifecycle, including ideation, market research, prototyping, testing, and product launch.
- Identify trends and opportunities through data and consumer insights, ensuring product offerings meet customer needs and stand out in the marketplace.
- Manage ongoing product improvements and monitor the performance of existing products.
- Provide recommendations based on KPI tracking and analysis.
- Analyze sales data and market trends.
- Research, develop, and test new potential products.
- Source new items with suppliers and set up new items in the inventory system.
- Create and manage Bills of Materials (BOMs) for all items in inventory software.
- Maintain the new product calendar and develop new products 12 months or more in advance of launch date.
- Create physical prototypes and digital mockups of new products, including designing print-ready labeling.
- Ensure all aspects of new product launches are delegated and executed at correct times.
- Create new product/product changes debriefs and lead debrief meetings with Sales and Ops teams.
- Collaborate on developing shipping solutions with partner suppliers to minimize breakage in transit.
- Create new shipping supply items in the inventory system.
- Seek out new supplier relationships for current and new raw materials.
- Ensure new suppliers complete supplier agreements.
- Hand off new suppliers/products to the Purchasing Manager.
- Consistently test products to ensure quality.
- Manage every product BOM.
- Troubleshoot consistent negative feedback from customers.
- Ensure all products are produced according to spec and system BOM, collaborating with the Production Manager on any process changes.
- Manage the company product catalog, ensuring all product data is accurate.
- Collaborate with the Marketing Manager on digital assets.
- Manage outsourced catalog designer and printing company.
- Submit new products to customer’s data software partners.
- Create and manage private label brands from concept to production.
- Develop and manage private label accounts.
- Ensure the new product development process is documented via SOPs and held accountable.
Benefits
- Unlimited PTO
- 10 paid holidays per year
- 401K Plan – Available after 3 months
- Profit Sharing Plan
- Health, Dental, Vision Benefits - 60% company/40% employee split (available on the first of the month after start date)
- Employee Recognition programs
- Employee discount of 50% and free breakfast on pay days!
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
Education Level
No Education Listed
