Product Development Associate

Product Development Associate - Promotional Products

Position Overview

We are seeking a detail-oriented and creative Product Development Associate to support the development, sourcing, and execution of promotional products across hardgoods, edible products, apparel, packaging, and branded merchandise categories .

This role will manage product development activities from concept through delivery by working closely with sales, design, sourcing, production, compliance, and vendor teams. The ideal candidate will have experience with product development, sourcing, supplier coordination, costing, and production processes while maintaining quality, timelines, and customer expectations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage promotional product concepts across hardgoods, edible items, apparel, packaging, and custom branded programs.
• Coordinate with domestic and international suppliers for quotes, samples, product specifications, lead times, compliance documentation, and production updates.
• Manage product information, costing, vendor details, sample tracking, and project timelines.
• Work with internal teams and external partners to communicate project updates, resolve issues, and ensure successful product execution.
• Support product launches by coordinating sourcing, sampling, revisions, and final production.

Qualifications

• Experience in product development, sourcing, production, procurement, or merchandise development within promotional products, consumer goods, apparel, food gifting, retail products, or related industries.
• Understanding of supplier communication, product specifications, quoting, sampling, and production timelines.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail.
• Comfortable working with Excel, spreadsheets, product databases, costing sheets, and Bill of Materials (BOM).
• Strong mathematical and analytical skills with the ability to understand product costs and pricing.
• Problem-solving mindset with the ability to identify issues and drive solutions.

Preferred Experience

• Experience with promotional products, branded merchandise, or custom product development.
• Knowledge of hardgoods such as drinkware, bags, tech accessories, desk items, lifestyle products, kits, and packaging components.
• Experience with edible promotional products including candy, snacks, baked goods, food gifts, labeling, and packaging requirements.
• Familiarity with apparel decoration methods including embroidery, screen printing, heat transfer, patches, trims, and sizing.
• Knowledge of product safety, compliance, import processes, and packaging requirements.

Preferred Backgrounds Candidates with experience as a Product Development Specialist, Product Development Coordinator, Merchandise Developer, Product Sourcing Specialist, Buyer, Promotional Product Developer, Consumer Goods Product Developer, or Apparel Product Developer are encouraged to apply.