Product Development Assistant

Northern Lights Enterprises, Inc., a Zippo Company, and leading designer of luxury candles and artisan made accessories, is seeking qualified candidates for a full-time hourly opportunity as a Product Development Assistant – responsible for assisting in the development, operational and administrative functions relating to the product development process.

 

Duties & Responsibilities:

Project Management:

· Manage and communicate the details of each project assigned using project management software

· Organize project information by customer/vendor

· Communicate vendor updates with internal departments as needed

· Create Calendars for upcoming projects and share calendars

· Push forward assigned tasks/projects

· Other duties as assigned

 

Design:

· Assist in the design and development of candle products

· Continually research home décor and candle market trends

· Surface or pattern decoration development

· Pantone selection

· Design within project limitations i.e. price, size, wax content, season, trend, etc.

· Other duties as assigned

 

Development:

· Research and evaluate manufacturers, vendors and materials

· Create quotation sheets based on project requirements

· Create costing sheets and grids based on project requirements in Google Sheets

· Maintain costing database/files of quality spec information and quotes with vendors

· Correspond with vendors regarding projects, samples and quality information

· Review vendor solicitation catalogs and request additional dimension and costing information and recording information in costing database

· Communicate all sample quality measures with Purchasing and QC to establish requirements and create Spec Sheets to ensure these measures

· Submit and track fragrance sample requests

· Maintain the organization physical fragrance samples

· Track and communicate sample progression throughout the process up to sending to a customer

· Unpack, label, and maintain the organization of physical samples

· Digital Product photography for product development, sample and QC purposes

· Follow up with Testing Dept. on testing potential/current products

· Follow up with QC dept on results of inspection process

· Other duties as assigned

 

Qualifications:

· Office experience required

· Excellent computer skills using email, google drive sheets, basic Excel, Word, PowerPoint, project management software.

· Photoshop and Illustrator skills required

· Excellent research skills via internet and phone calls

· Must have high color sensitivity

· Use of Skype/FaceTime/Teams and other media communications programs required

· Intermediate Photography skills

· Must be creative, detail oriented and highly organized

· Must be flexible to switch tasks quickly, change requirements, or rush tasks if needed

· Must be a tenacious question asker who does not wait for information

· Professional, career oriented and self-motivated

· Ability to work independently within rigid time constraints within a team environment

· Must be a creative problem solver within a group offering on the spot insight and solutions if needed

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills especially with people of different cultures, religions and levels of English speaking.

· Basic understanding of materials like glass, ceramic, wood, metals, paper.

· Project Management skills required

· Must be able to lift 35lbs

 

*If interested, please send cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to employment@zippo.com