Product Development Specialist

Job Title: Product Development Specialist

Department: Global Sourcing

Reports to: Director – Global Sourcing & Product Development

Hours Available: M-F 8:30am-5:30pm EST (1-hour lunch break)

FLSA Class: Exempt

EEO1 Classification: Professional

Physical Address: 200 Sea Ln, Farmingdale, NY 11735

Salary Range: $53,818 - $98,880 (Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law)

Grade: 3

Why Work @ BEDGEAR?

If you’re looking for a career and not just a job, BEDGEAR provides a work environment that accelerates growth for all its team members. Keeping up with the everyday challenges of a fast-growing consumer goods company demands a team of all-in players, who are focused on continuous improvement, collaboration, leadership, and have a growth-mindset. If you want to elevate yourself personally and professionally, surrounding yourself with others that share the same values, beliefs, and behaviors will provide the support and extra push to reach new heights and smash new goals. At BEDGEAR you can expect to find successful teammates who exemplify our core values of being:

HUNGRY - HUMBLE - CURIOUS - CLEVER - COMMITTED - HUMANITARIAN

About BEDGEAR® PERFORMANCE®

Launched in 2009, BEDGEAR® is the brand of Performance® that provides innovative bedding by focusing on an active lifestyle and well-being. BEDGEAR’s sleep solutions are engineered with Performance fabrics that are temperature neutral and instant cooling and maximizes airflow to allow the body to naturally regulate its temperature. With a core belief of One Size Does Not Fit All™, BEDGEAR has redefined the way people view sleep by developing interactive in-store experiences and breathable bedding products that are personally fit to a consumer based on specific factors, including body type, sleep position and temperature. BEDGEAR is dedicated to integrating environmental responsibility into product development to ensure less returned goods are being sent to landfills. BEDGEAR is essential to the rest and recovery routines of professional athletes and active people who need to maximize their sleep. A proud manufacturer in the USA, BEDGEAR offers mattresses, pillows, sheets, blankets, pet beds as well as travel, kids and baby products that often feature removable and washable covers to maintain a clean and healthy sleep environment. BEDGEAR is represented in more than 4,000 retail stores across the globe and has earned more than 220 U.S. and worldwide patents, trademark registrations and pending applications. Sleep Fuels Everything®!

Learn more at bedgear.com.
 

Summary: The Product Development Specialist will be responsible for supporting the design, sourcing, and delivery of high-quality products and raw materials. Some key duties include collaborating with cross-functional teams to source and develop new product concepts/raw materials, conducting market and supplier research, negotiating contracts with vendors, and ensuring cost-effective procurement strategies. The Product Development Specialist oversees the product development timeline to meet quality standards and deadlines while managing budgets and optimizing supply chain processes. Strong organizational, analytical, and follow-up skills are essential for success in this role.

Essential Functions (include but not limited to):

Product Development

• Collaborate with design, marketing, and production teams to conceptualize, source and develop new products / raw materials.
• Conduct market research to identify trends, customer needs, and competitor products.
• Conduct market research on a regular basis to find new raw materials, components, trims, technologies etc. essential to continuously innovate and develop new products.
• Create and maintain product library, specifications and documentation.

Vendor Management

• Source and evaluate suppliers to ensure alignment with quality, cost, and delivery standards.
• Negotiate contracts, pricing, and delivery schedules with vendors.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to foster collaboration.

Quality Assurance

• Oversee product sampling and testing to ensure quality standards are met.
• Address any production issues and work with suppliers to implement corrective actions.
• Conduct audits of suppliers to ensure compliance with company policies and industry standards.

Project Management

• Track project timelines to ensure on-time product launches.
• Coordinate with internal teams to streamline workflows and communication.
• Analyze and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to product development and procurement.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to enhance product performance, reduce costs, or improve supply chain efficiency.
• Stay informed on industry trends, new materials, and technologies to drive innovation.
• Contribute to sustainability initiatives in sourcing and product development processes.

This job description is intended as a general guideline and should not be considered an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The Product Development Specialist may be required to perform additional duties, as well as be tasked with special projects as needed.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• HS Diploma or GED
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States and have IDs needed to verify.
• English proficient (reading, writing, speaking, comprehension)
• Computer savvy; proficient with Microsoft Office

Education/Experience/License Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from accredited college in textiles, merchandising, fashion, or closely related field.
• 1 years’ experience in product development, procurement, and sourcing, preferably within the bedding or related industry.
• 1 years’ experience in research or production/manufacturing; consumer durable goods highly preferred.
• 1 years’ experience of sourcing materials and vendor research (international and domestic).
• 1 years’ experience of proven successful project management.
• Excellent organizational and project management abilities
• Ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in procurement and inventory management software
• Strong analytical and negotiation skills and the ability to manage supplier relationships effectively.
• Understand styles and design trends in home furnishings and fashion. Experience within an active lifestyle brand is highly preferred. Familiarity with Bedgear branding and products is a plus.
• Knowledge of quality assurance processes and standards.
• Proficiency in data analysis and reporting.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Must have a strong aesthetic sense and great eye for design.

MUST HAVE:

Ability to drive the development and sourcing of high-quality products. This position requires expertise in market research, product development and supplier negotiation to ensure cost-effective procurement and timely delivery. The ideal candidate will have a strong passion in new product research and development, understanding of supply chain processes, and cross-functional collaboration, with excellent follow-up and communication skills to support seamless product development and procurement operations.

Sensory Requirements: Should have working use of hearing and vision with or without the use of corrective lenses/hearing aids to be able to read paperwork, work on a computer screen for an extended period of time, and frequently speak on the phone.

Environmental: N/A - indoor office environment

Language Skills: English proficiency required (reading, writing, speaking, comprehension). Proficiency in Chinese language would be preferred, but not a must.

Mathematical Skills: Basic arithmetic and algebra

Reasoning Ability: Strong analytical skills to evaluate supplier proposals and assess market trends effectively. Capable of making data-driven decisions and identifying cost-saving opportunities while balancing quality and supplier reliability. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are essential for navigating complex procurement scenarios and optimizing sourcing strategies. Excellent planning and problem-solving skills with limited resources; ability to effectively prioritize and project manage multiple assignments at any given time. Ability to use judgement to make important decisions.

Work Environment:  Indoor office environment most times.

Physical Demands:

Key:

N-Never

O-Occasional; 1-33% of time

F-Frequent; 34-66% of time

C-Constant; 67-100% of time

BEDGEAR® is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer that participates in the E-Verify program!

Salary : $53,818 - $98,880