Senior Product Developer, Plastics - Lakeshore Learning Materials, LLC

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.

In a time of unprecedented expansion, we’re looking for a Senior Product Developer to join our RD&D New Product Development team. This role is responsible for the end-to-end ideation, development, and launch of educational products. The ideal candidate should have strong communication skills, a solution-oriented mindset and a keen attention to detail to drive quality products. The Product Developer should have a solid understanding of cross-functional teamwork and possess proficiency in data analysis and customer perspective to drive decisions. Our team environment is fun, fast-paced and deadline-driven.  

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 
• Conduct User Research to inform design decisions.  
• Collaborate effectively with cross functional team, including Engineering, Sourcing, and Quality to ensure designs are manufacturable and meet deadlines.  
• Mentor and train new team members by modeling and coaching best practices.

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

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• 5+ years experience in Product Development
• 5+ years experience in Early Childhood or Elementary teaching
• Experience successfully executing development of physical products from ideation to launch
• Implementation of human-centered innovation/design thinking in previous development roles
• Experience presenting projects to Executive leadership
• Highly detail-oriented, hardworking 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 with the ability to work in a fast-paced dynamic environment
• Strong MS Office and Excel skills

And here’s our end of the bargain! 

• Salary: $100,000-$120,000 with an annual bonus of up to 10%
• Paid leave for new parents to support work/life balance and family bonding
• 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
• 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-to-earth professional who shares our desire for making a difference, we’d love to hear from you. 
 
To learn more about Lakeshore, visit www.lakeshorelearning.com/careers 
 
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
People are selected to become members of the Lakeshore family based on skill, merit and mind-boggling talent—not based on race, color, creed, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, marital status, domestic partnership status, military status, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, alienage, AIDS or AIDS-related complex status, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, status as a victim of domestic violence, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If things aren’t equal, we all lose.

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