Product Development Assistant

ABOUT THE ROLE

Our designs are already complete. This role exists to turn them into physical products. The Product Development Assistant will work directly with our Head of Product to manage projects from sampling through delivery, keep product lifecycle documentation on track, and serve as the day-to-day bridge between our US product team and our manufacturing partners in China. Success in this role means smooth vendor communication, consistent product quality, and on-time launches. Existing relationships with or exposure to Chinese manufacturers is a strong plus.

Location & Language Requirements (Critical)

Mandarin and fluent English are both required. This person will communicate directly with manufacturers and vendors in China, and with our US-based team.

• Our main manufacturing locations are Shenzhen, Dongguan, and Guangzhou . We work with two main vendor relationships, but those vendors manage a wider network of manufacturers, potentially 10+ locations.

Travel

Travel to manufacturers is expected, though not constant:

• Roughly 2–3 trips per month as a baseline, more during busier periods.

• Most day-to-day communication happens remotely, but the candidate needs to be comfortable going onsite when projects require it.

• We're prioritizing China-based candidates who can travel regionally, are comfortable visiting factories, and have a flexible attitude toward travel.

Working Hours

• Approximately 30–35 hours/week .

• The person can generally work within their own timezone, but some regular overlap with the US team is required. Our US team works until around 10pm China time, giving a couple of hours of daily overlap.

• This is a flexible-hours role, not a night-shift role.

Essential Duties Include, but Aren't Limited to

• Research market trends, competitor products, materials, and manufacturers/suppliers to inform product strategy.

• Work with vendors to turn completed designs into physical products.

• Review and proof product files and samples for accuracy prior to vendor submission and production.

• Manage the full product lifecycle — sampling, approvals, production, and delivery.

• Communicate proactively across time zones and cultures to keep projects on track.

• Coordinate with international vendors on specs, costs, timelines, and quality standards.

• Stay current on tariff changes and import rules, processes, and documentation.

• Support vendor negotiations and maintain records of terms and pricing.

• Prepare and track purchase orders, following up to ensure accuracy and timeliness.

• Coordinate development timelines, ensuring key milestones are met.

• Monitor quality control, flag issues, and help ensure corrective action is taken.

• Anticipate and troubleshoot supply chain disruptions, shipping delays, and vendor challenges.

• Work with design, procurement, and operations teams to keep product details aligned and deadlines on track.

• Maintain product data and organize workflows using Notion or a similar project management tool (experience with an ERP such as GoodDay is a plus).

• Support the Head of Product with reports, documentation, and project tracking.

• Direct product development experience is preferred but not mandatory — someone with 0–2+ years and the right mindset, organization, and exposure to manufacturing or supply chain can be a great fit. Experience with luxury goods, stationery, office supplies, or consumer products is a plus, but not a hard requirement.

Personality & Culture Fit

We're looking for someone who is:

• Highly organized and detail-oriented

• Proactive

• Confident, yet humble and willing to learn

• A strong communicator

• Analytical, with good problem-solving instincts

• Comfortable dealing directly with vendors

• Comfortable working across cultures and time zones

• Comfortable in a fast-moving, shifting-priorities environment

• Able to manage multiple priorities at once

• Able to work without needing everything spelled out for them

Above all, we need someone who can genuinely bridge the US product team and our Chinese manufacturing partners.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Confident, yet willing to learn and adapt.

• Ability to simplify and solve complex problems through creative and analytical thinking.

• Excellent organizational skills with a keen eye for detail.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills in both Mandarin and English.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.

• Understanding of product lifecycle management and quality control.

• Experience with vendor management and negotiation.

• Proficiency in Notion and Excel; experience with ERPs like GoodDay preferred.

Qualifications & Basic Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.

• 0–2+ years of experience in product development, supply chain, or operations (luxury goods or stationery/office supplies preferred, not required).

• Fluent in Mandarin and English.

• Based in China, ideally in or around Shenzhen, Dongguan, or Guangzhou.

• Reliable internet access.

• Willingness and ability to travel regionally to visit manufacturers (approx. 2–3 trips/month).

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive holidays.

• Employee discount on all products.

• Opportunity to grow within a rapidly expanding, design-forward company