Product Development Manager

PLEASE READ:

Did you know that 95% of applicants will not read this section? We receive hundreds of applications, so why not write a thoughtful cover letter and put your application at the top of the list? In fact, applications without a cover letter AND answers to the 5 screening questions below are automatically disqualified. But shhh... this is a test

THE FIVE SCREENING QUESTIONS FOR YOUR COVER LETTER:

1. Are you legally able to work in Canada?

2. What languages are you fluent in (reading and writing)?

3. What is your favourite product from our stationery collection?

4. Pick one of our core values and tell us how you've demonstrated it in your life.

5. Tell us the one thing that makes you the perfect fit for this role.

OUR CORE VALUES

These values guide our team, shape our culture, and form the foundation of who we are. Every member of FWP strives to:

• Learn new things – Take on new challenges with enthusiasm.
• Pursue mastery – Relentlessly improve your skills.
• Own your sh*t – Apologize without ego.
• Be a part of the solution – Bring a solution for every problem.
• Put in the work – Do whatever it takes to get extraordinary results.

About Us

Our mission is simple: We Make Fancy Fun. Ferris Wheel Press is a global premium stationery brand dedicated to bringing magic back to writing. We create the world's most sought-after collectible stationery—fountain pens, inks, notebooks, and writing accessories—and proudly collaborate with beloved global franchises such as Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Batman, Superman, and more.

We design Pantone-perfect character inks, beautifully crafted fountain pens, immersive packaging, and premium stationery collections that celebrate iconic worlds and bring creativity to life.

As we continue expanding our licensed product division, we are searching for a vibrant and highly organized Product Development Manager to help bring our creative visions into reality.

Our Long-Term Vision

Ferris Wheel Press aims to become the #1 premium collectible stationery brand in the world, building a legacy of craftsmanship, storytelling, and licensed product excellence that inspires generations of creators and collectors.

THE JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Project & Team Management (Primary Responsibility)

• Serve as the central leader of the Product Development department, responsible for managing workflows, schedules, priorities, and output across an 8–10 person cross-functional team.
• Oversee end-to-end project timelines for all licensed and non-licensed stationery products— ensuring milestones are met, teams stay aligned, and deliverables are completed on schedule.
• Coordinate daily and weekly task assignments, manage workload capacity, and proactively resolve bottlenecks.
• Implement structured development processes, including checklists, approval workflows, communication protocols, and project documentation.
• Facilitate clear communication between design, production, marketing, and external partners.
• Lead project review meetings, monitor progress, identify risks early, and execute corrective action plans.
• Ensure all product development activities align with brand standards, licensor requirements, and company objectives.

Licensing Coordination

• Act as primary liaison for licensed product development (e.g., Warner Bros.).
• Prepare artwork submissions, packaging files, colour proofs, and samples for approval.
• Interpret and enforce licensor brand guidelines, story requirements, and creative restrictions.
• Manage revision cycles professionally and ensure all assets remain compliant.

Manufacturing & Vendor Management

• Coordinate sampling, prototyping, and production with in-house and global manufacturing partners (pens, inks, packaging, accessories).
• Prepare and submit technical packages, artwork, and specifications.
• Review samples for colour accuracy, finish integrity, performance, assembly quality, and overall craftsmanship.
• Track production timelines and proactively mitigate risks (holiday shutdowns, delays, vendor capacity constraints).
• Communicate clearly with overseas partners—Mandarin/Cantonese proficiency is a significant advantage.

Budgeting & Cost Management

• Work closely with suppliers to obtain quotations, negotiate costing, and evaluate price breaks for materials, components, and production methods.
• Review the Bill of Materials (the complete list of every component, material, process, and cost that goes into producing a product), packaging specs, production estimates, and freight costs to ensure all SKUs meet margin requirements.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality, storytelling, or licensor standards.
• Track development spend, sampling costs, and tooling investments; calculate and manage cost structures and gross profit expectations for product collections; provide forecasts and budgeting updates to leadership.
• Oversee the placement and management of finalized purchase orders with vendors, ensuring accuracy of quantities, specifications, pricing, and delivery timelines.
• Collaborate with Finance to support annual budgeting, SKU profitability analysis, and long-term product planning, including presenting insights, risks, and recommendations to leadership to guide decision-making.

CORE TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Strong project management capabilities, including scheduling, milestone planning, and workload management, and cross-functional coordination.
• Experience coordinating onshore and offshore teams, including designers, suppliers, licensors, and manufacturing partners across multiple time zones.
• Solid understanding of budgeting, cost evaluation, Bill of Materials review, supplier quotations, and margin analysis.
• Working knowledge of physical product development, especially in categories such as fountain pens, inks, packaging, and stationery accessories.
• Ability to read, interpret, and create technical documents, including spec sheets, deadlines, production artwork packages, sampling reports, and manufacturing documentation.
• Familiarity with materials, components, and production methods used in writing instruments and stationery products is an asset.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to maintain structured documentation, version control, and process workflows.
• Clear, confident communication skills when collaborating with overseas suppliers; Mandarin/Cantonese proficiency is a significant asset.

Education Background

• Bachelor's degree in Product Design, Industrial Design, Business Management, Operations, Project Management, Supply Chain, Finance/Accounting, or a related field.
• Additional education or certifications in project management, operations leadership, finance/accounting, or product development are valuable but not required.
• Strong practical experience in managing product lifecycles, coordinating teams, working with manufacturing partners, and handling budgets is considered equally important as formal education.

Additional Courses & Training (Assets)

• Project Management certifications (PMP, Agile, Scrum, Lean)
• Leadership or People Management courses (team dynamics, coaching, conflict resolution)
• Operations Management or Supply Chain courses (procurement, vendor coordination, production planning)
• Budgeting, forecasting, or financial analysis coursework
• Courses in consumer product development or licensing
• Training in cross-cultural communication or managing offshore/onshore teams

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Has 5–7+ years of experience in product development environments, with a strong emphasis on project management, workflow leadership, and cross-functional coordination.
• Demonstrates proven ability to lead and mentor an 8–10 person team, ensuring clarity, accountability, and momentum across diverse roles (design, production, coordination, and vendor communication).
• Brings deep experience in managing complex product timelines, balancing multiple projects at various stages, and proactively identifying risks and solutions.
• Understands how to operate within a licensed product framework, including managing approvals, brand guidelines, storytelling elements, and external stakeholder communication.
• Possesses working knowledge of physical product development, especially fountain pens, inks, packaging, or adjacent consumer goods, and can confidently guide teams through concept-to-production workflows.
• Has strong organizational systems, documentation discipline, and a continuous-improvement mindset toward team processes and operational efficiency.
• Communicates with clarity, confidence, and diplomacy—especially when coordinating across licensors, factories, leadership, and internal creative teams.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment and embraces the Ferris Wheel Press ethos of creativity, craftsmanship, and storytelling.
• Appreciates beautifully designed objects, stationery, and collectible products, and understands the emotional experience behind premium goods.

Ferris Wheel Press is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $65,000.00-$85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company events
• Dental care
• On-site parking
• Vision care

Work Location: In person