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Job Description
Modern Sprout LLC (MS) is a Chicago-based design shop and manufacturer that launched via Kickstarter in 2013 and has become a leader in the grow-your-own movement with its innovative indoor and outdoor garden-focused lifestyle goods. Our portfolio currently includes app enabled grow lights, grow kits, gift sets, candles, and an exciting line of new plant care accessories. Our collection of over 150 SKUs has introduced a new and highly sought-after category to home and gift retailers across the continent – gifts that grow. Modern Sprout can be found on the shelves at national retailers such as Target, World Market, Container Store, and at over 2,000 independent retailers across the country.
We are seeking a bright, energetic and trend forward Director of Product Development who can work flexibly in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment. This role will work directly with company co-founders to drive the product development process from conceptualization to commercialization. A background in design, manufacturing and a passion for plants is preferred. This position will work closely with the entire team including sales, marketing, operations and purchasing departments to ensure new products are launched on brand, on time and on cost. This role will work closely with sourcing partners both domestic and overseas to sample, quote and purchase components required for all new products. The right candidate for this role will be passionate about the customer experience and dedicated to creating great products that allow people to successfully grow plants from seed. It is important to also have a grasp of the execution side or a willingness to learn about our various customers and sales channels to better inform the product design from brief to case pack.
This position will have significant key responsibilities, opportunities for professional development, and the chance to play a vital role in contributing to the brand’s continued successes in the plant care and gift market. This role also has access to an entire prototype lab and will be provided with any tools needed to execute on job responsibilities.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Drive the creation of innovative new products; working directly with co-founders, lead graphic designer and manufacturing partners to translate directives and mood boards into finished products.
• Work directly with the internal manufacturing team to make sure labor and margin goals are achieved on new product launches
• Must have excellent skills in the core Adobe Creative Suite (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) as well as proficiency in a 3D CAD software (Solidworks, CREO or other) and a strong grasp of rendering software such as Keyshot in order to create concept sketches and product visuals to present to co-founders for review. A desire to learn new technology using AI will be supported and encouraged (Midjourney, Vizcom, etc.).
• Select color and material finishes for new products and create in depth request for quote documents to share with manufacturing partners for quoting and sampling.
• Collaborate with sales and marketing to research and understand market price points and develop products that meet cost targets. Create the initial bill of material for new products to analyze the cost, margin and MSRP.
• Monitor the general competitive landscape of consumer products. Be on top of the market and design trends.
• Identify new manufacturing partners and suppliers.
• Ensure components and assemblies adhere to applicable industry standards and follow industry compliance regulations. Oversee product safety testing with 3rd party independent testing labs as required.
• Develop and manage new product timelines by efficiently driving products through design, prototyping, testing, and launch.
• Be the liaison between sales, marketing, production and customer service teams on product deliverables.
• Consistently and thoroughly communicate product status updates to team. Provide product updates at weekly meetings.
• Create exciting renderings of new concepts for customer pitches showcasing the product’s user experience and value proposition.
SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Collaborate with co-founders and art director on product packaging design/labeling, retail merchandising, and trade show displays.
• Work with leadership team to identify and execute continuous margin improvement projects that help achieve business goals
• Manage internal SKU and costing databases.
• Work with production and suppliers to design product-specific protective shipping packaging.
• Develop and maintain an organized, comprehensive library of current product components, specs, packaging, labels, etc., as well as reference samples of new raw materials to be considered for future projects.
• Create build sheets to ensure products are assembled correctly.
• Actively testing products and new growing methods, monitoring and troubleshooting results.
OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE:
• Minimum 7 years of experience in consumer product design or related field
• BS Industrial Design or equivalent work experience
• Intermediate 3D modeling and 3D printing experience
• Demonstrated self-starter with strong organizational skills and project timeline management experience
• Strong critical thinking, research and analysis skills
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Thrives in an entrepreneurial and fast-paced environment and understands that comes with ambiguity
• Is able to succeed in a dynamic environment and produce multiple deliverables within tight timeframes
• Understands of the economics of the consumer products industry including: quotes, costing, sales channels and margins
• Has an impeccable eye for design and operates with a high attention to detail
• Is eager work in a cross-functional team, working with sales, marketing and operations to bring a product to life
• A green thumb is a plus but not a requirement
BENEFITS:
• Full-time, salaried. Competitive compensation based off experience.
• Benefits includes medical and vision insurance, 401K contributions, flexible working hours, unlimited paid vacation time and the ability to work from home