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.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions

1. Designs products for approved concepts
2. Develops specifications for new products to ensure manufacturability and acceptable quality at the target price point
3. Evaluates toy, game and book submissions from authors and inventors, possibly in a lead capacity
4. Troubleshoots ways to improve functionality, marketability or affordability of internally developed concepts or external submissions with adequate potential
5. Works with Buyers, Product Development Manager, Inventors, Package Designers, Copywriters and Editors to make revisions/improvements to products and package designs until approved
6. Works within established timeframes for each project and meets departmental and Merchandising deadlines
7. Generates new product concepts based on department performance trends, market opportunities and trends, assortment gaps and identified key occasions, themes and cross-departmental concepts
8. Collaborates regularly with other departments, including Merchandise Buying, Brand Merchants, Sourcing and Creative
9. May also be a key liaison between mass retailers and Product Development
10. Communicates effectively with our overseas vendors regarding new artwork, samples, required revisions and production processes
11. Stays abreast of market trends, themes, materials, techniques and competition by local competitive shopping, reviewing industry publications, on-line research, etc.
12. Brings pertinent information and concept ideas to weekly Innovation League meetings
13. Market shops, locally and regionally, collecting ideas and reference samples that can be used as inspiration for new products or designs
14. Proofs puzzles, packaging copy, card content and rules
15. Abides by all policies and procedures of MindWare and Oriental Trading Company
16. Maintains regular, predictable attendance
17. Must be able to attend face to face meetings on short or little advance notice
18. Work in the MindWare Department office environment requires in-person collaboration among colleagues and contractors

Marginal Functions

1. Reviews new item pre-production and production samples to ensure samples match artwork and specifications, function properly and are acceptable quality for our customers
2. Prepares mock-up products and finished craft projects for play testing and photography
3. 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
4. Performs other related duties and projects as assigned

Here’s what you need to join the fun:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• 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

Education

• A four-year degree with at least eight years experience in a product development role or equivalent work experience.

Experience

• Minimum of eight years experience in a product development role

What’s in it for you:

• Comprehensive wellness and employee assistance programs
• Medical, dental, vision coverage options
• Company 401K matching program
• Basic life insurance
• Parental leave
• Medical and family leave
• Paid Time Off
• Employee discount
• Company events and more!

For Minnesota, we expect the base pay for this role to fall between $84,000–$97,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications. The wage range provided represents MindWare’s good faith estimate of possible compensation at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience and other factors permitted by law.

Join us at MindWare, part of the Oriental Trading family of brands, where fun means business!

MindWare (www.mindware.com) is the award-winning creator, manufacturer and distributor of Brainy Toys for Kids of All Ages. Founded in 1990, the company started out as a small retail store in Minneapolis, later evolving into a catalog, website and wholesale business that delivers toys and games to customers' doorsteps, classrooms, neighborhood toy stores and the world's largest retailers. In 2012, MindWare was purchased by Oriental Trading Company, the nation's largest direct retailer of value-priced party supplies, arts and crafts, school supplies, toys and novelties. With a corporate vision to “Make Life More Fun,” Oriental Trading (a Berkshire Hathaway company) spreads joy and smiles to millions each year through a robust family of brands; Oriental Trading, Fun Express, MindWare, SmileMakers, Morris Costumes and halloweenexpress.com.

EOE