At GOJA, we create, acquire, and scale great brands on Amazon. Our people, the proprietary technology we develop, and our 12-years of experience have helped us become one of the best and most successful in the business.

The Sr. Director of Product Development (PD) is responsible for developing and leading GOJA’s Design and Product Development Team, their effectiveness, and their execution on product development for both new products and existing. The Sr. Director of Product Development oversees the Design and Development Team’s work, building out processes, empowering the team to maximize their contribution to the business while providing any necessary support required to ensure projects meet category goals.

This role works closely with the Operations Team, Product Launch professionals, the Product Design Team, Supply Chain, and QA to ensure the appropriate balance of design, commercialization, and business needs for each project, and to prioritize with the objective to allocate resources appropriately for new product development.

This role is located in GOJA’s HQ, Miami, Florida. The Director of PD should be eager to simultaneously run many projects in virtually all consumer product categories and be willing to learn about new industries and processes. The Sr. Director of PD will also need to communicate regularly with team members overseas and have the flexibility to meet early and/or late in the day and be willing/able to travel internationally.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the Product Launch team to make sure the category vision and goals are established and well communicated to the product development and design teams.
• Develop and manage the PD and ID staff, including hiring, conducting performance reviews, mentoring, goal setting, coordinating training activities, and facilitating individual project progress.
• Work with each Industrial Designer, Engineer, and Product Developer to support and empower them to perform their individual work function to the best of their ability, along with efforts to continuously improve.
• Provide mediation during the product creation process to ensure the project outcome aligns with the project brief and the Product Launch Team’s overall strategy and mission.
• In consultation with the Director of Product Launch and category PLM(s), assign appropriate Product Development resources to new product projects, including coordinating work with outside design consultants when necessary.
• Analyze resources needed for new and ongoing Product Launch Team issues; report to, advise and update senior leadership appropriately.
• Work closely with Sourcing and Supply Chain to identify and onboard new vendors to support product innovation when necessary.
• Ensure the Product Development Team is in alignment with GOJA’s strategic goals.
• Aid in the recruitment of new Product Launch team members.

Education & Knowledge:

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or related field; Master's Degree, preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in the design, development, or manufacturing of consumer products, especially consumer products in multiple categories.
• Strong experience building and leading a team, required.
• Comprehensive understanding of product design and global manufacturing enterprises combined with the leadership traits and communication skills required to excel in this environment.
• Demonstrated technical proficiency and direct management and/or project leadership skills.
• These will include personal success in product creation and positive leadership experiences in directing and mentoring other skilled product teams.
• Extensive knowledge of specific manufacturing techniques such as, injection molding, stamping, extrusions, blow molding, vacuum forming, die casting, glass blowing, cut/sew, PCB/electronics, machining, and more.
• Experience with product design, cost management, quality processes, lean manufacturing techniques, vendor qualification, and functional knowledge of global logistics is preferred.
• Strong leadership, collaboration, and negotiation skills are required.
• Must be able to understand the product and provide critical feedback on product function.