Job description

Position Summary

Imagine working for a company where you can help make a difference in the world and inspire the next generation of scientists and adventurers. Blue Marble is an educational toy company committed to bringing purposeful products to the world. We strive to empower parents so that they can raise thoughtful, confident kids. We are looking for a Product Manager who can help us bring even more fantastic products to families around the world.

Job Functions

Our Product Manager is responsible for managing an efficient product development process, overseeing sample accuracy, achieving preliminary cost margin targets and on-time calendar management through final pre-production approvals to deliver product execution true to Design aesthetic intent.

This is a “hands-on” role where you work cross-functionally with our Creative, Marketing, Sales, and Compliance team. You’ll also work with our overseas team and our Executive Management to ensure that every product represents the values of our company and inspires our customers. The Product Manager manages the product through the product development life cycle to generate all marketing materials and packaging for the product, product samples for testing and photography, documentation in our PLM system, and details for operations set-up and ultimately lead delivering the product to market.

The Product Manager follows standards and processes, contributing to continual process improvement for our product development workflow and the development of our team. They use our project management and workflow tools for inter-departmental collaboration and lead product-briefing meetings with all internal stakeholders.

Please Note: This is not a product design position.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead toy products through the entire lifecycle by working closely with business stakeholders to execute product opportunities, track progress, and support current and future new business systems management.
• Organize all required requests including product details and approvals to meet calendar due dates. Ensure all development and product sampling activities are tracked and delivered on-time for briefs, protos, salesman, pre-production size sets approvals to final manufacturing-ready product.
• Track & communicate progress across departments.
• Provide leadership and direction to overseas manufacturers to achieve product goals.
• Manage development timelines for multiple products per our annual calendar.
• Maintain Bill of Materials on all Products to ensure products are engineered to cost standards.
• Confirm the final cost with overseas partners; meeting target costs and timelines.
• Communicate throughout the organization as necessary by participating in meetings, presentations, one-on-one dialogue, etc.
• Anticipate, identify & proactively resolve issues.

Qualifications

• 2+ years’ experience within a consumer products toy field in product development; sports/entertainment licensor or licensee (Toy Manufacturer)
• Experience with PDM, PLM systems and Project Management required.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously with superior attention to detail while managing to the big picture with diverse groups.
• Team player who is also on independent thinker, self-motivated, self-starter, analytical thinker and a creator
• Strong organizational, communication, interpersonal, time management and relationship-building skills
• Ability to work in a global environment
• Good command of Microsoft Office Suite applications; Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Able to work flexible hours including some nights and/or weekends based on business needs and travel overseas as needed.

Our Story

Blue Marble is a consumer products company with a focus on developing exceptional STEM toys for families around the world. Simply put, we believe quality educational products inspire kids and instill in them a lifelong love of learning. We believe that foundation will serve them throughout their entire lives and will benefit their future and our community.

We are National Geographic’s largest licensee and have created hundreds of products under their brand which we sell in over 60 countries around the world. We also created products for NASA, and we have developed our own brands: Discover with Dr. Cool, and Blockaroo Magnetic Foam Builders www.blockarootoys.com.

We have been in business for over 15 years and our headquarters is in beautiful Ashland, Oregon. Our products are the gold standard of quality when it comes to educational toys. Look at our brand store on amazon (search: National Geographic Toys, or visit our company website www.thinkbluemarble.com  and you will quickly see the Blue Marble difference. From real dinosaur fossils, to amazing gemstones from around the world, we love making products that inspire, and we think you will feel the passion, excitement, and innovation that our company is known for in every product we make.

What’s it like to work here?

Blue Marble is a special work environment. It has a family-style atmosphere and there is always a buzz of activity and inspiration in the air. Our team is made up of people with high character. To work here you need to be talented, bring a positive attitude, and be a great human being. This is a place where our team supports each other and wins together.

As a company, we care about our employees, our community, and the world around us. How we do things, and how we treat each other matters to us. We exist to make thoughtful, purposeful products, but we also value a good balance between work and life, and we want to enjoy how we work together all along the way. Our team is like no other, and if you share our values, we believe you will agree that this is one of the best places to work on the planet.

If you think this is the place for you and if you want to join a company that aims to make a positive impact in the world, then we look forward to hearing from you!\

Blue Marble is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We offer a place free of discrimination and harassment for all employees and applicants, no matter their race, age, religion, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by Federal, State, or Local law. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Blue Marble's Human Resources department.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Relocation assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Compensation package:

• Performance bonus
• Retention bonus

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• PLM or PDM: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Ashland, OR 97520

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