Senior Product Developer

Company Description

At Lakeshore, we create innovative learning materials and world-class guest experiences for teachers, parents and children. Since 1954, we’ve grown into a global community—with a thriving e-commerce business, multiple catalogs, 60+ retail stores, a peerless national sales force, plus international offices that support our preeminent supply chain division. But today we’re working better, smarter and faster than ever—and setting our sights even higher. We’re building an infrastructure designed for scalability, embracing data-driven decision-making and using technology to improve efficiency and ensure the best tools for the best work. Most importantly, we continue to invest in a diverse team of inquisitive top talent who fuel each other’s passions and curiosity, take risks, try new things, and believe that every new day brings opportunities for growth.

Job Description

In a time of unprecedented expansion, we are seeking a Senior Product Developer to join our RD&D New Product Development team. In this role, you will be responsible for the end-to-end ideation, development, and launch of educational furniture products. The ideal candidate should have strong communication skills, a solution-oriented mindset, and a keen attention to detail to drive quality products. The position also requires a solid understanding of cross-functional teamwork and proficiency in data analysis and customer perspective to drive decisions. And we’re here to help you succeed—in 2022 Lakeshore earned its Great Place to Work® Certification™ and is proud to put its associates first. 

A day in the office looks like this: 

• Driving product ideation with data that supports customer needs and company growth opportunities.
• Generating and pitching product concepts to executive leadership.
• Providing clear direction and collaborating with cross-functional teams, including designers, engineers, and our Asia team, to ensure successful execution of products.
• Conducting market research and gathering customer insights to inform product development decisions.
• Ensuring that target price and product functionality expectations are met.
• Ensuring that all products meet the highest standards of quality and safety, with a focus on attention to detail.
• Utilizing effective communication skills to appropriately inform various levels of the organization and team members of project progress, and to report any concerns or project risks.

Qualifications

Got the skills and experience? Here’s what we’re looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 5+ years experience in Product Development.
• Experience successfully executing development of physical products from ideation to launch
• Strong MS Office and Excel skills
• Experience working in Furniture
• Implemented Human Centered innovation/ Design Thinking in previous development roles
• Highly detail oriented, hardworking, and professional with excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and deliver reliable and expeditious results across multiple parallel priorities
• Ability to analyze complex problems and provide solutions
• Positive “can-do” attitude, self starter, and ability to work in a high pace dynamic environment
• Superb attention to detail and follow-through
• Experience presenting projects to Executive leadership

Additional Information

And here’s our end of the bargain! 

• Salary: $100,000-$120,000 with an annual bonus of up to 10%
• Excellent medical/dental and vision coverage—EPO, PPO and HSA
• 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution (because you will retire someday)
• Flexible benefits—choose what you like, ignore the rest
• On-site preschool for our employees’ children
• On-site employee gym for all levels/fitness needs
• Generous employee discount on products that make you smarter
• Casual dress…and we really mean it

At Lakeshore, we know our diversity makes us stronger, and when everyone feels included and valued, we all win. We strive to embrace our differences and create an intentionally diverse and inclusive community that is representative of the teachers, families and children we serve.

We know we couldn’t do the extraordinary things we’re doing without the people on our team. Thanks to the passion and enthusiasm of this spectacular group, Lakeshore is more than a great place to work—it’s a great experience to be part of. Day in and day out, we give everything we’ve got to create products that instill a sense of wonder and foster a true love of learning. To help maintain this high bar for success, we’re constantly on the lookout for people to join us. So if you’re a down