Senior Product Developer (STEM Toys)

Our Story:

Blue Marble was the brainchild of Jordan and Katie Willing. Jordan is an explorer and a lifelong rockhound and Katie is a preschool teacher. For over 15 years we’ve proudly produced the most innovative science kits on the market. Each aimed at inspiring a love and exploration of the wonders of the natural world. Our products are now distributed to millions of children every year in over 60 countries around the world.

Blue Marble was founded in 2008 as JMW Sales, a consumer products company fostering exploration through play, learning and the outdoors. As owner of Discover with Dr. Cool, an award-winning educational toy brand, JMW Sales grew a small product line to a popular offering of over 100 products with wholesale retail partners all over the world. In 2015, we established a partnership with National Geographic, the 130-year-old science and conservation initiative, to create educational toys that inspire children to interact with and explore the natural world. In 2020, JMW Sales became Blue Marble, marking a renewed focus on creating environmentally sustainable products so that today’s young scientists inherit a vibrant, healthy planet in the future. Headquartered in Ashland, Oregon, Blue Marble also operates a 10,000 square foot factory in Xiamen, China where over 50 employees manufacture and assemble several products, including educational science kits.

Our Mission

Inspiring the next generation of scientists with really cool science kits!

What we Believe

True Discovery is a Magical Feeling that Never Goes Away!

What We Do

We Deliver Real Learning and Discovery through authentic experiences.

We use exciting science toys to inspire a lifelong love of learning.

Company Values

We care about the world and how we do things matters to us.

We exist to make thoughtful, purposeful products that Inspire.

Who We Are

We are people with Curious Minds who love to learn and share that knowledge.

We are parents who want our kids to appreciate science and world around them.

Position Summary

Our Sr Product Developer leads product development from concept through production, working with internal and overseas teams and licensors to deliver consumer-ready products.

This is a “hands-on” role where you work with Production, Design, Engineering, Graphics, Marketing, Sales, Compliance and Executive Management to represent the voice and needs of our customers. The Sr Product Developer captures the product vision, performs market and competitive research, gathers legal and IP feedback and ensures approval on concepts before moving forward with the product. They manage the product through the product development life cycle to generate all marketing materials and packaging for the product, product samples for testing and photography, product cost engineering and details for operations set-up and ultimately lead delivering the product to market.

The Sr Product Developer follows standards and processes, contributing to continual process improvement for our product development workflow and the development of our team. They use our project management and workflow tools for inter-departmental collaboration and lead product-briefing meetings with all internal stakeholders. The Sr Product Developer on-boards and mentors junior level team members.

Our Sr Product Developer is a skilled communicator, organized leader and creative problem-solver with a positive attitude and the ability to thrive in an ever-changing and fast paced work environment.

Please Note: This is not a product design position.

Responsibilities

· Lead toy products through the entire lifecycle from early concept to launch by working closely with the creative teams and other business stakeholders to execute on product opportunities & develop product briefs.

· Develop cross functional work plan; track & communicate progress across departments

· Provide leadership and direction to overseas manufacturers to achieve product development goals

· Mentor, train and direct more junior staff

· Responsible for executing consistent quality, product testing guidelines, and meeting Licensor standards/requirements

· Initiates, oversees and reviews procurement of new product and sales samples while managing the timeline for development calendar.

· Maintains Bill of Materials on all Products to ensure products are engineered to cost standards. Negotiates cost through order placement in line with margin expectations. Confirms the final cost.

• Communicates throughout the organization as necessary by participating in meetings, presentations, one-on-one dialogue, etc. Provides formal written communication as necessary and/or required.
• Organize product research and user / mom testing activities
• Anticipate, identify & proactively resolve development issues

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience within a consumer products toy field in product development; sports/entertainment licensor or licensee (Toy Manufacturer)
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously with superior attention to detail while managing to the big picture with diverse groups.
• Team player who is also on independent thinker, self-motivated, self-starter, analytical thinker and a creator
• Strong organizational, communication, interpersonal, time management and relationship-building skills
• Ability to work in a global environment
• Ability to communicate complex concepts, projected performance, and risks to team and senior management.
• Extensive knowledge of toy categories including manufacturing techniques, materials and technologies
• Strategic vision for overall business and category
• Proven ability to negotiate and exert influence without authority
• Creative flair both in generating ideas and execution
• Good command of Microsoft Office Suite applications; Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Experience with PDM, PLM systems and Project Management (Stage Gate process) preferred.
• Able to work flexible hours including some nights and/or weekends based on business needs and travel overseas as needed.

To Apply:

· Please send your resume with the following naming conventions: “Your Full Name_ Resume.”

Reports to:

Director of Product Development

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Relocation assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

COVID-19 considerations:
Currently all employees are working from home until determined otherwise. In office; all federal and state health and safety guidelines are to be followed such as distancing, mask wearing, sanitizing etc.

Experience:

• Product Development: 5 years (Required)

Location:

• Ashland, OR 97520 (Required)

Pay frequency:

• Monthly

Paid Training:

• Yes

Pay Frequency:

• Monthly

Work Remotely:

• No