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Product Developer Resume Samples
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6-10 years of experience
Responsible for developing store plan, including interior design and set-up as well as production of 30% of inventory
- Developed and implemented store design for women’s accessory retail store; execute bi-annual resets
- Created and established business plans with owner resulting in sales increases of 35% yearly since 2004
- Assisted in purchasing gift and women accessory product lines at national trade shows
- Conducted market research through yearly trunk show, retail store visits and trade publications
0-5 years of experience
Invented a patent-pending wearable system for competition horses that notifies the owner of potential injury
- Built prototypes that measured physiological data on horses for a clinical study to be published
- Programmed the prototype’s microcontroller to send sensor data to a device that would receive, parse, and store the data to an SD card via wireless
- Researched horse industry in order to evaluate market opportunity and competitors
- Promoted company to potential customers and existing horse equipment companies to gauge interest and for potential partnerships
- Presented company and prototype at multiple startup expos for publicity and potential investment
- Finalist of 2014 MassChallenge Accelerator; 2nd Prize MIT de Florez Award Competition
10+ years of experience
Created a family-owned limited liability corporation that designs and develops fly fishing tools.
- Designed and developed The Eye Tie Threading Tool, a magnetic fly threading tool.
- Oversaw the engineering and creation of the magnetic fly threading tool.
- Secured contracts for distribution of the fly threading tool with major national distributors ORVIS, Dr. Slick, Dan Bailey, Wapsi, Angler Sport Group, and Feather-Craft. International distributors include Rudi Heger, Sportfish and Glasgow Angling Center.
- Developed a marketing plan based on two years of comprehensive market research for the fly threading tool.
- Three-time winner of the Vice President’s Council, the highest sales award in the company.
- Selected for a 15-year Hospital Sales Award by the Great Lakes Region.
- Awarded National Hospital Representative of the Year.
10+ years of experience
Extensive experience designing, coding, testing, debugging and supporting competitive products in a Windows client/server environment
- Developed communications agent that enabled the SureSync file replication and synchronization product to synchronize files located anywhere in the world
- Developed kernel-mode file system minifilter driver to intercept and report the low-level file I/O requests that enabled the distributed file locking feature of the SureSync product
- Supported and enhanced legacy kernel-mode file system filter driver
- Designed, coded, tested and supported interface to NTFS Change Journal that enabled real-time file monitoring
- Developed and implemented GUIs with both WinForms and WPF
- Quickly diagnosed and corrected numerous problems for customers and potential customers
0-5 years of experience
Partnered with design and merchandising to develop sportswear and technical activewear
- Sourced fabric and trims with overseas vendors from concept to production
- Issued and tracked sample PO’s corresponding with vendors ensuring timely delivery of samples
- Negotiated costs with overseas vendors in order to achieve marginal goal
- Provided detailed submit comments, visual comments and approvals to overseas vendors assuring next sample reflected
- Created, maintained and prepared style folders for production handover
0-5 years of experience
Designed, implemented, and deployed the technical aspect and automation of a cloud based next generation sequencing pipeline.
- Was instrumental in the Illumina IGN whole genome POC leading to a favored vendor services partnership.
- Designed, implemented several NGS input normalization modules.
- Maintained, refactored and provided support to the operations group in running the NGS pipeline.
- Evaluated tools and technologies relating to NGS and how they could fit into our pipeline.
0-5 years of experience
Managed product development from inception through delivery on up to 90 SKUs simultaneously for licensed video game and mobile electronics accessories, accounting for $21MM+ in annual revenue. Trained, mentored and indirectly managed two product development associates. Facilitated weekly meetings to ensure that workloads were evenly distributed and that development was on schedule to meet target delivery dates. Researched and created competitive landscapes to find and fill gaps in market with new innovative product at competitive MSRPs. Presented and sold product lines and vision to both internal teams and external retail buyers. Traveled domestically and internationally for licensor visits, retail line reviews, trade shows and vendor visits.
- Increased margins by up to 20% on 80% of all Fall 2013 SKUs by sourcing new factories and negotiating new pricing. Successfully moved the sampling and production of product lines to new factories while still keeping delivery deadlines.
- Created and implemented an on-boarding training program for new hires joining the product development team.
- Organized and managed the “Day of Difference†charity event at Seattle Union Gospel Mission for over 25 employee volunteers, as well as an all company sock and coat drive.
0-5 years of experience
- Liaised with Quaker US team to develop a process to launch three sku’s as a test market for new categories. Increased the innovation target by 2%.
- Evaluated marketing research reports to create new brands.
- Collaborated directly with Sales and Finance divisions to analyze both product and raw material costs to guarantee profitability.
- Negotiated contracts for product development and intellectual property in Mexico, Colombia and Switzerland.
- Identified state-of-the-art technologies to be applied in new product developments; participated in creative consumer studies worldwide to identify key insights and translate into product prototypes.
0-5 years of experience
Managed the development for handbags, small leather goods, luggage and travel accessories.
- Communicated daily with overseas vendors to negotiate costing, delivery dates, lead times; sample execution, and minimum order quantities
- Influenced design and production partners to ensure development process was moving forward and meeting
- Compiled and issued tech packs to manufacturers for development.
- Prepared costing charts and created proto development charts.
- Documented proto review meetings and communicated comments to manufacturers.
- Collaborated with quality assurance to identify any potential quality issues during the development process
0-5 years of experience
Developed and commercialized yogurt formulations from benchtop to implementation at the industrial scale
- Optimized and investigated manufacturing process with plant quality
- Worked closely with project cross-functional teams to ensure short and long term objectives have been delivered
- Partnered with suppliers to testing new ingredients in different food applications
- Researched and leveraged innovation by working closely with consumer insights groups and utilizing suppliers’ resources and tools
- Managed supply and demand of the Dannon Yogurt Store (food service)
0-5 years of experience
Skills used: JSP, HTML, JavaScript, Ext JS, jQuery, CSS, JSON, JAVA, Antlr, Lex, YACC, Struts, Hibernate, PostgreSQL.
- Designed and developed dynamic user interfaces for Application Quality Management module of the Application Analyzer.
- Implemented parsers for JSP and JS to extract web components’ information in an application.
- Revamped Application Analyzer’s existing database in PostgreSQL to improve the performance of the application.
- Maintained the middle tier application used for analyzing JAVA applications.
0-5 years of experience
Led a project team by relaying information from upper management, assisting other team members, and training new-hires
- Monitored and improved operational performance of digital media through proprietary software tools and trouble tickets
- Created and maintained the team’s SOP documents
- Protected and enhanced revenue by ensuring high quality media content to Amazon’s digital stores
- Attended meetings to report findings and express new project ideas
0-5 years of experience
Collaborated closely with cross-functional client and team successfully delivered superior results
- Participated in strategic food innovation sessions and played a key role in identifying culinary solutions and growth platforms
- Initiated and completed ingredient contextual research for key global client on plant protein
- Managed and drove development of a wide variety of products including shelf stable, fresh, frozen, canned, baked goods and beverages
- Prepared food at the pilot level with the intent and ability to scale-up to full production
- Performed nutritional analysis in order to meet the clients’ specific nutritional guidelines
- Focused on developing products with quality ingredients at a low product cost
- Managed and executed multiple consumer research tests to understand relative appeal of potential products
- Worked alongside the Trend Department to translate forthcoming trends into realistic food concepts
- Created various multimedia presentations and presented to clients
0-5 years of experience
Assisted Designers in revising fit and trims
- Communicated with manufactures in China and Vietnam
- Responsible for revising the Tech Packs to keep manufactures current on prototype revisions
- Produced and revised Adobe Illustrator sketches to communicate with manufactures on changes to garments.
- Reviewed and revised all F13/S14 BOM’s to ensure consistency throughout
0-5 years of experience
- Created prototypes for multiple Nature Valley products in order to overcome various hurdles & meet strict deadlines
- Analyzed multiple food characteristics utilizing MVAC, NIR, colorimeter, RoTap, pH meter, calipers & water activity meter
- Formulated & developed line extensions for new snack products utilizing creativity, innovation & problem solving skills
- Nominated for the Crunchy Dependability Award
0-5 years of experience
Directly planned all daily and weekly activities of all shipping and logistic functions to complete on-time with accuracy, and with compliance.
- Develop new business opportunities within existing customer base, and helped in organizing a new division for Phison.
- Identified and evaluated special shipment needs and made on the fly routing decisions to accommodate customers.
- Coordinate and prepare scheduling for all shipments, along with material conditions, and per product manager’s instruction.
- Handled all customer service inquires and assist with compliance in regards to shipment deviations, damages, and error
- Monitored in transit shipments and communicated all progress to all concerned parties
- Made calls into existing customer base to introduce pricing promotions, and cost effective shipping methods.
0-5 years of experience
Specialized in Mainframe and AS/400 application development in Insurance domain.
- Involved in gap analysis, development, implementation and system testing stages of newly acquired client; resulting in targeted deployment.
- Employed sophisticated programming skills and system analysis to devise solutions for critical problems.
- Experienced in working in small teams and adapting to different cultural backgrounds; leading to augmented support for application enhancement and reduction in high severity issues.
- Broader responsibilities undertaken include working in onshore/offshore model, client requirement Implementation, component definitions, system development and project coordination.
6-10 years of experience
Manage development of foreign language products, curricula, lessons, and objectives in support of Global Language Online Support System (GLOSS) Project.
- Quality control team member: reviewed and provided recommendations on curricula and lessons created by colleagues.
- Evaluated target language peers’ products to ensure compliance with the objectives and methodology.
- Identified required material to support prompt production progress.
6-10 years of experience
Created a company that manufactures bath and body products including hand lotions, body creams, soy candles, natural eau de perfumes, sea salt body scrubs and bubble baths
- Grew the company to more than 300 retailers worldwide including Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, Walgreens
- Managed up to 14 employees at a time
- Responsible for securing editorial content in Vogue Magazine, O, The Oprah Magazine, Vanity Fair, Daily Candy, Teen Vogue, and various TV Segments
- Selected National and International Vendors and Manufacturers for various product lines and their packaging
- Negotiated cost breakdowns and finalized pricing strategies
- Developed sales materials, quarterly seasonal catalogs, website templates and POS displays
- Lead, oversaw and initiated private label products department for select clients
- Organized and participated in the largest gift tradeshows throughout the country
- Initiated marketing strategies for stores and recommended suggested pricing and sales models
- Executed a 3000+ database of prospective clients and used it in highly successful email marketing campaigns
0-5 years of experience
Communicated with overseas vendors, managed over 700 styles, and ensured that all developments were executed correctly and in a timely manner.
- Created tech packs for vendors to follow thoroughly in order to make future production samples.
- Met bi-weekly with buyers to discuss any product development concerns.
- Prepared and submitted over 1,200 prototype samples for weekly buying reviews.
- Reviewed developments daily with head buyer to ensure all production requirements were met.
- Attended vendor meetings to discuss on-going and future developments.
- Created personal tracking systems to follow-up accordingly with vendors.
0-5 years of experience
Developed Educational Products
- Managed several products simultaneously through multiple departments
- Wrote rigorous instructional guides
- Presented product details to CEO(s)
- Created and aligned products to meet Common Core Standards
- Researched best practices and current educational trends
- Conducted onsite observations through various classrooms and educational conferences
0-5 years of experience
Utilized trend analysis to develop new styles in order to fill the Open-to-Buy assortment and further fulfill the customer’s needs.
- Researched and acquired inspiration from various mediums based on the young, contemporary demographic.
- Tailor trends to fit the specific image of Forever 21 while keeping the style demographically appropriate.
- Collaborated with upper management to establish area of opportunity within the open-to-buy and assortment.
- Extensively worked alongside vendors to design and produce new styles.
0-5 years of experience
- Oversaw production and managed over 100 employees
- Designed innovative handbags and accessories from recycled materials
- Played key role in company reorganization in Uganda
- Created programs with volunteers to meet the specific needs of our employees
0-5 years of experience
Primary liaison between men’s division import operations, merchandising, Target Corporation and overseas offices.
- Responsible for all production management within the men’s knits and woven’s categories.
- Developed product tracking documents that were implemented company wide.
- Wrote the training documents that were used during training of new employees in how to use the product tracking documents.
- Worked with the overseas vendor to create backup inventory plans for the men’s division biggest program – knit polos.
- Trained and developed new import coordinators as they were hired.
0-5 years of experience
- Communicated lingerie product specifications, color, print, quality and fitting results daily with Asian vendors
- Coordinated fabric and trim selection with designers and sales
- Collaborated with sales, purchasing and technical designers
- Managed the sample room and the swatch library
- Researched on trends through online and offline sources
0-5 years of experience
- Facilitated the transition of apparel styles from design concept to a final production ready to sample.
- Pre-cost garments from trims and fabrics to labeling and packaging.
- Ensure the new appropriate fabrications were coordinate with designs & that all appropriate development documentation is maintained for assigned styles.
- Collaborated with category product team to understand and accomplish season product concepts.
- Ensure the overall fit, fabric, and silhouette are consistent to the market trends as well as business strategy.
- Sourced, developed and priced materials at suppliers and/or through Reebok offices or agents. Coordinated all information and test samples for materials approval.
0-5 years of experience
Managed team and company operations
- Oversaw site-wide content, grew social media platforms (0-700k+ likes on Facebook)
- Managed Facebook advertising campaigns
- Project managed mobile app development & launch including official press release
- Designed front-end of BN iOS app, UI/UX of website, & promotional materials
- Hired new employees to the firm as Lead Recruiter
- Consulted with business strategy & company goals
- Researched and wrote content pieces
0-5 years of experience
Managed product creation and communication from design hand-off to production
- Ensured products are engineered to cost standards and negotiated cost through order placement in line with margin expectations
- Executed placement of adopted styles in accordance with the sourcing strategy and the social responsibility strategy
- Coordinated and monitored proto samples for fit, quality, execution & construction
- Coordinated all samples for buy meetings, photo shoots and Direct to meet calendar dates
- Communicated changes to achieve final fit and construction to meet Brand requirements
- Executed consistent product quality, testing and the care/content label
- Established strong collaborative relationships with cross-functional teams to insure product success
- Managed the time line for development calendar and color management
- Managed work in progress (WIP) tracking and reporting for product development
- Initiated vendor set-up in accordance with system requirements and social responsibility compliance in partnership with all cross-function NPG teams
0-5 years of experience
- Developed a West-African style peanut sauce and marinade for frozen food product.
- Researched viability of mass production of product.
- Mastered understanding of USDA/FDA standards.
- Arranged Scheduled Process with Cornell University with the food venture Department in order have product approved for regulatory needs.
6-10 years of experience
- Performed daily product implementations whilst providing superb customer support.
- Executed and presented product-reengineering evaluations in regards to: user friendliness, client accessibility, and the improving real estate market.
- Worked closely with business and IT teams in evaluating product expansion.
- Conducted market research for innovative ways of attaining competitive advancement.
0-5 years of experience
In this research development role, I built a nano scaled light detecting sensor based off of existing light detecting resistors.
- Executed a working model of the prototype sensor, by demonstrating its uses in streetlights, and security systems.
- Implemented two samples of the same compound, which was differentiated by their reactions. Each reaction returned a different sized particle.
- Used xrds, uv spectroscopy, photo luminescence and SEMs to check the different orientation of the compounds, its’ particle size and shapes.
0-5 years of experience
- Developed and designed new RFID technology product (Patent Pending)
- Collaborated with manufacturers, technologists, and other vendors to create 3D drawings, design, and develop product prototype
- Wrote company business plan and manual, outlining company policies from product development phase, to marketing, to retail phase and sustainability
0-5 years of experience
In charge of producing for licensed products, including: Nerf, Thomas The Train, Spiderman TMNT, Hot Wheels, and several
Nickelodeon lines, Mattel Lines, Hasbro Lines
- Created Packaging, graphics, 200+ package mock ups, displays
- Interacted and collaborated with upper level management as well as sales team on a day to day basis in order to complete various
- Created product lines that are set to hit shelves in 2013-2014
0-5 years of experience
- Analyzed each subclass category with Category Managers to review and develop new additions and improve existing products to reach a goal of increased margin and sales
- Analyzed and negotiated product cost and quotes submitted by global suppliers to ensure competitive pricing and to achieve on time delivery, inventory turns and exceed budget cost savings target
- Managed product sourcing process by reviewing factory profile and working with Quality Assurance to perform factory audit
- Participated in product and packaging design, developed product specifications and collaborated with suppliers to develop prototypes and finished samples that meet strict product requirements and consumer needs
- Managed project timelines to achieve on time delivery on new items by collaborating with suppliers, Category Managers, Quality Assurance, Schawk packaging, Replenishment and Logistics Team
- Evaluated lab testing results with vendors / factories and addressed quality issues if needed
- Determined proper copy points and obtained die-lines for new items, generated work order to Schawk packaging, and participated in Schawk on-line proofing and approved press proofs on new packaging
- Worked with replenishment team to communicate initial forecasts and orders to factories to ensure on time delivery.
- Evaluated and approved control samples and addressing quality / packaging issues if needed
0-5 years of experience
Receive order information to enter into Oracle Software, build order sheets that follow each order throughout the entire production process.
- Communicate with customer service representative and directly with clients to retrieve all information required by production.
- Send all new order requests to the Art Department to create the production art for each individual item.
- Relay any art issues to the customer service representative and/or the customer.
- Once art is completed and approved by the customer, send it to the supply team through Oracle to begin production.
- Maintain records of all art from the previous year in an organized fashion for future reference.
0-5 years of experience
Receive order information to enter into Oracle Software, build order sheets that follow each order throughout the entire production process.
- Communicate with customer service representative and directly with clients to retrieve all information required by production.
- Send all new order requests to the Art Department to create the production art for each individual item.
- Relay any art issues to the customer service representative and/or the customer.
- Once art is completed and approved by the customer, send it to the supply team through Oracle to begin production.
- Maintain records of all art from the previous year in an organized fashion for future reference.
0-5 years of experience
Support two Account Executives with trim development for 9 accounts, including Aeropostale and Ann Taylor.
- Collaborate with HK partners to manage sampling, negotiate best pricing, maintain target CM% and business analysis
- Present trend forecasts and in depth marketing and branding presentations in conjunction with creative team.
- Manage timelines for artwork creation/revisions, sample approval and testing in order to hit in-factory dates.
- Consistently exceeds monthly sales goals and maintain sampling budget.
0-5 years of experience
Design and develop new office products and implement product improvements of existing products for Staples global affiliates
- Collaborate with Product Management, Merchants, Product Designers, Quality Control, and Sourcing groups to define products that meet our customers’ performance and cost targets
- Develop engineering product specifications using Marketing/Product Briefs as input. These specifications must meet Staples’ strict quality requirements and performance thresholds
- Insure test protocols are developed that effectively confirm the specifications are met. Work with independent testing labs to test products against these protocols. Manage risk associated with new product testing to insure launch dates are met
- Assist in cost negotiations and global contract manufacturer selection process
- Manage manufacturing start-up and pilot run process with selected factories.
0-5 years of experience
- Managed a team of four that drove year-long project from design idea to deployable prototype.
- Planned weekly team meetings and encouraged members to meet weekly deadlines.
- Utilized and configured XBee Pro 900HP transceiver to successfully interconnected wireless nodes via mesh.
- Setup and configured MySQL database using WAMP (Windows, Apache server, MySQL, PHP).
- Developed JAVA software to handle custom network packets sent from sensors and stored data to MySQL database.
- Designed web interface utilizing Google Maps API with Visual Studios 2013 and C++.
- Device troubleshoot and debugged both hardware and software (white/black box testing) including but not limited to: sensor algorithm, capacitive coupling, wireless network, SQL queries, and web interface debugging.
- Consulted with California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to ensure product reliability.
- Wrote product documentation including design idea contract, work breakdown structure, PERT charts, project timeline, product risk assessment, product market review and potential, circuit schematics, block diagrams, user’s manual, and weekly reports.
0-5 years of experience
Purchased full range of materials and products (auto after-market, auto accessory, auto beauty, auto electron accessory, and other auto products)
- Managed all aspects of RFQ the competitive bidding process and negotiation and award of contracts to vendors worldwide
- Excellent negotiation with a proven history of attaining best price and best delivery
- Calculated price breakdown, discounts, and freight charges prior to generating and processing purchase orders; follow-up with credits and resolution of invoicing discrepancies
0-5 years of experience
Developed and wrote standard operating procedure manuals for company software and product development department
- Manage a weekly newsletter for the Product Development Department
- Manage 5 sales reps for several retailers such as Walgreens, CVS, and Publix
- Maintained inventory and monitored product resale capabilities to ensure maximum profit margins
- Determined cost based on quality of products and negotiated pricing for the purpose of forecasting
- Established and maintained strong relationships with vendors
- Developed concepts and programs for graphic tees for SeaWorld parks, Walgreens, SpaceX, and Hudson Stores while working directly with the buyers on approvals for purchase orders to meet ship dates
- Planned and performed new trend presentations for new products
- Keeps records with licensors such as CLC, SMA and LRG. Submit Quarterly reports and maintain licenses.
- Manage SKUs for Walgreens, CVS, and Publix
- Run marketing campaigns for buyers for retailers utilizing Constant Contact
0-5 years of experience
Appointed APD of the Special Event account for our top theme park client, which included ensuring all needs and standards are met
- Partnered with production team to approve product and ensure it is up to client’s standards of quality and timeliness
- Develop and oversee production of product from beginning stages to date delivered
- Partnered with various artists both in house and freelance to give art direction for creation following direction given by client
- Understanding of screen printing and embroidery processes as well as multiple treatments for apparel of various fabric contents
0-5 years of experience
Designed, illustrated and developed a variety of formats ranging from apparel,
consumer goods, and accessories for small start up companies.
- Handled client consultations, contact and negotiations.
- Performed concept development and trend research
- Executed all designs, illustrations and specs for products.
- Chose color palettes, fabrics and trimmings.
- Illustrated labels and packaging as needed.
0-5 years of experience
- Designed and implemented a new asset allocation module as a compliment to FactSet’s returns based analysis product suite
- Researched current models and statistics and incorporated them in the asset allocation product
- Managed a team of software developers as they executed the product plan
0-5 years of experience
Effectively researched on innovative styles of lighting, ambiance, materials, and products and their effects on people in order to create a revolutionary system of lighting for the company.
- Developed the concept and design of a lighting system marketing high-end restaurants with tight deadlines and working with budgets.
- Produced a fully functional and operational final product prototype.
- Successfully managed to work with a multicultural team from the origin to the final product
- Created a showroom to exhibit the final product to the company and others related with the industry.
0-5 years of experience
Manage the product development and line plans for licensed product in the USA and Europe
- Establish and maintain multiple development and delivery calendars
- Monitor development and ensure timely delivery to market
- Maintained sample library and approved all samples for final production
- Document and present all sell thru and product feedback
- International travel to factories and business partners
0-5 years of experience
- Promoted to Senior Product Developer of the Target Ladies account, acquiring additional responsibilities and taking on a new management role
- Manage product development process of Target Ladies account from concept to production for the Junior and Missy brands
- Track all sample, trim, fabric, strike off developments to ensure all are received by the Target Development team according to due dates
- Selected by top management to be a team leader on Delta Galil’s Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) team
- Traveled overseas to train Delta Galil’s international employees, both China and Bangladesh divisions, on Target’s current development process. Composed training manuals and guidelines
0-5 years of experience
Manages the development process of company product lines as assigned([company name])
- Creates the specifications for the products, publishes, and maintains all records, style files, and samples associated with the product and related programs
- Plans and tracks the development schedule of all products to ensure a timely completion following the predetermined product development calendar
- Ensures both the technical superiority and the product quality/integrity of all product falling under my responsibility
- Develops products that meet or exceed predetermined gross margin targets
- Partners with Sourcing/Product Acquisition to ensure the superior quality and timely delivery of sales samples each season.
- Interacts with Product Director, Product Manager, Design, Marketing, Sales, and Quality Assurance to distribute product technical details and assure the accuracy, legality, and integrity of all product performance
0-5 years of experience
- Helped develop and maintain POINT IN J software
- Utilized Eclipse IDE to code and debug POINT IN J system in Java programs, JSP pages, XML, XSL, and Hibernate mappings, along with Tomcat 7
- Maintained development databases through MS SQL Server
- UX project working with Spring, JS, JQuery, CSS3, HTML5, JSON
0-5 years of experience
Manage and monitor the development of new products from concept through launch, including idea generation, bench-top formulation, initial plant assessment of process feasibility and final commercialization.
- Lead project to improve processing of current products through formula and process changes.
- Troubleshoot and perform root cause analysis for customer complaints. Make recommendations for corrective actions and draft response to customer. Audit processes to ensure compliance with corrective actions.
- Validate changes to ingredients to maintain or improve quality of final products while improving processing and ingredient availability and decreasing cost.
- Perform regular plant cleanliness, food safety and maintenance inspections as part of a team designated by quality assurance.
- Evaluate and source ingredients to be both cost effective and deliver consistent quality.
- Research and analyze items on slow moving inventory reports to recommend rework, storage or disposition.
Product Developer Duties and Responsibilities
Based on job postings that we analyzed, most product developers share several core duties:
Create and Improve Products The foremost responsibility of a product developer is creating and improving products that fill a niche in the market or allow their employers or clients to remain competitive. Product developers use specialty software to design and engineer products and components or make improvements to existing designs to enhance performance or cut down on manufacturing costs.
Determine Specifications Product developers determine product specifications based on a number of different factors and use cases. In this aspect of the role, the product developer may work closely with clients to determine their goals and expected functionality for a specific product. They also develop guidelines for developers, designers, and engineers who work on bringing the product to life.
Develop Prototypes Many product developers support manufacturing and design activities by developing prototypes for products in development. Typically, product developers use a number of different tools and machines to develop prototypes, such as CNC machines and 3D printers. Product developers may also collaborate with manufacturing personnel to create prototypes.
Consult with Engineers and Supervisors Throughout the design and development process, product developers work closely with engineers, product managers, and project supervisors. This aspect of the role can involve tracking changes to client specifications, identifying manufacturing issues that arise from design elements, and ensuring that electrical components are able to operate safely within a provided design.
Review Market Research To ensure that products are viable and competitive, product developers may also consult market research materials and sales data. This part of the job generally includes analyzing research and sales data to identify trends and determine areas where a new product may provide competition or disrupt a market to provide a high return on investment. This tends to be a collaborative element of this role, as the product developer may provide sales and marketing teams with prototypes to gather customer feedback.
Product Developer Skills and Qualifications
Product developers design, engineer, and prototype products for a wide variety of industries. Workers in this role tend to have at least a bachelor’s degree and the following skills:
- Engineering and design knowledge – product developers should have strong design skills and should understand how product components and materials work together both functionally and aesthetically
- Creative skills – creativity is also central to this role, as product developers need to conceptualize new products and improvements and determine the look and feel of a product’s design
- Prototype development – product developers should also have extensive familiarity with prototyping processes and best practices using a variety of rapid prototyping tools and machinery
- Problem-solving skills – in this role, product developers frequently need to assess issues with products and develop solutions, so effective problem-solving skills are vital
- Team collaboration – product developers work with manufacturing, engineering, and sales teams, so they should be able to effectively coordinate activities between teams and personnel
- Communication skills – effective written and verbal communication is important in this role, since product developers need to provide instructions and reports to team members and supervisors
Product Developer Education and Training
Product developers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in a closely related field, such as industrial design or engineering. Additionally, job seekers looking for product developer positions should have strong portfolios that highlight their design and development skills. Academic programs in industrial design usually provide students with opportunities to build and improve their portfolios through internships and classroom projects.
Product Developer Salary and Outlook
While the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not provide salary estimates specifically for product developers, its data for industrial designers may provide a helpful starting point because of the significant overlap between these roles. According to the BLS, industrial designers earn a median annual salary of $65,970. The highest-paid 10 percent of workers in this role earn more than $106,950 per year, while the lowest-paid 10 percent earn less than $36,430 per year. The BLS expects employment of industrial designers to grow at a slower-than-average rate of 4 percent through 2026.
Helpful Resources
If you’re interested in starting a career as a product developer, we found many helpful resources on the web for further reading and information:
Product Development and Management Association – PDMA is a professional organization for product developers and other professionals, providing networking opportunities, publications, and educational resources
The Lean Product Playbook: How to Innovate with Minimum Viable Products and Rapid Customer Feedback – read this book to learn about the principles of lean product development for both small and large companies and manufacturers “5 Best Practices for Successful Product Development & Innovation” – this blog post focuses on how to effectively develop new ideas and innovate existing designs to create products that consumers love
Visible Knowledge for Flawless Design: The Secret Behind Lean Product Development – this book explores the principles of visible knowledge and how they fit into product development and innovation