Product Research and Development Specialist

TL;DR

Product Research and Development Specialist (Manufacturing/Sourcing): Identifying market trends and creating detailed product specifications to develop innovative physical products with an accent on vendor coordination and technical requirements. Focus on managing the end-to-end prototyping phase and aligning product development with business goals.

Location: Remote (Philippines)

Company

A remote staffing and virtual assistance provider specializing in connecting businesses with global talent.

What you will do

• Conduct in-depth market research to identify consumer trends and competitor offerings.
• Translate customer needs into viable product concepts and comprehensive technical specifications.
• Liaise and negotiate with manufacturers and factories to ensure production quality and design alignment.
• Collaborate with cross-functional design, marketing, and sales teams to synchronize product strategies.
• Monitor prototyping and testing phases to ensure aesthetic and functional requirements are met.
• Analyze data and prepare recommendations for the leadership team.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Product Development, or a related field.
• Proven experience in product research, development, or sourcing.
• Strong analytical skills for interpreting market data and consumer trends.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills for managing suppliers.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and data analysis tools.
• Ability to work across time zones, preferably overlapping with Chinese and NY time zones.

Nice to have

• Experience in manufacturing, sourcing, or product design.
• Knowledge of supply chain processes and vendor management.
• Familiarity with regulatory standards in product development.