Location: Detroit, Michigan
Reporting to: Senior Product Development Manager

About Shinola:

Join us at Shinola, where our dedication to crafting timeless, quality products meets the vibrant spirit of Detroit. We take pride in our craftsmanship and our community, and we're on the lookout for passionate individuals to join our team. As a Product Development Associate, you'll be at the heart of our mission, ensuring that every product that reaches our customers is nothing short of exceptional. If you thrive in a dynamic environment and are driven by innovation and excellence, this is the place for you.

Why You'll Love This Job:

At Shinola, we believe in the power of creating beautifully designed, high-quality products that stand the test of time. You’ll be part of a collaborative and creative team that’s committed to pushing boundaries and setting new standards. Your work will directly contribute to the products that define our brand and delight our customers.

Key Responsibilities:

Sample Coordination

• Order and manage the receipt of all development and sales samples.
• Coordinate sample distribution to cross-functional teams and assist Product Development Manager with managing the sample archive.
• Manage wear testing samples and surveys.
• Maintain both physical and digital reference libraries for colors, materials, and components.

Product Specifications Assistance

• Assist the Product Development Manager in creating and maintaining product specifications.
• Ensure cross-functional teams have all necessary technical and aesthetic details for new products.
• Help maintain and create seasonal linesheets.
• Support AX item creation, BOM validation, and PLM management.

Collaboration and Vendor Communication

• Communicate daily with factories and component suppliers to track project status and resolve open issues.
• Assist the Product Development Manager in the official pass-off to quality and production teams.
• Develop and maintain relationships with factories.

Qualifications:

• College degree in business, fashion merchandising, or design, or 1-2 years of related experience (required).
• Product Development experience (preferred).
• Working knowledge of product development, design, merchandising, and retail.
• Knowledge of leather and textiles (preferred).
• Excellent organization and collaboration skills.
• Must be detail oriented.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Self-starter with a proactive attitude.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
• Familiarity with PLM systems (preferred).
• Proficient in the Microsoft Office suite.

Our Commitment to Diversity:

At Shinola, we're committed to fostering an inclusive community within our company and industry. We believe in cultivating diverse teams that bring together the best and brightest from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Research shows that women and minority groups often only apply to roles if they meet 100% of the criteria. We encourage everyone to apply for our positions, even if they don't check every box on the job description.