Product Merchandising & Development Specialist

Location: On‑Site — Santa Ana, California

Department: Product / Merchandising

Salary Range: $70,000 - $80,000

Company Overview

eJam is a fast‑growing consumer products brand incubator specializing in direct‑to‑consumer e‑commerce, third‑party marketplaces, and retail distribution. We focus on building innovative products consumers love—supported by strong performance, fast execution, and a data‑driven approach. As a lean start‑up, every team member plays a meaningful role in our growth.

Position Summary

The Product Merchandising & Development Specialist supports the full product development lifecycle—from market research, product briefs, and vendor coordination to packaging input, QA, and launch readiness. This role is ideal for someone who loves consumer products, enjoys researching trends, thrives in fast‑paced environments, and has hands‑on experience bringing physical products to life. You will work closely with sourcing, operations, marketing, and creative teams to ensure products move smoothly from concept → development → launch → optimization.

This role reports to the CEO and works closely with Operations and Creative teams in our Santa Ana, CA office.

What Your Day Will Look Like

• Research consumer trends, competitive products, and category opportunities
• Create product briefs including specs, packaging ideas, benchmark comparisons, and target pricing
• Support sourcing and compliance partners to ensure products meet quality and regulatory requirements
• Assist marketing and creative teams with product positioning, storytelling, and launch preparation
• Monitor performance of products post‑launch and provide recommendations for improvement
• Maintain product documentation and assist in organizing assets through PIM or internal systems
• Help coordinate timelines and keep cross‑functional teams on track across multiple projects

Merchandising & Market Research

• Conduct ongoing category and competitor analysis to identify new product opportunities
• Compile trend reports and testing ideas to support product decision‑making
• Assist in preparing merchandising strategies aligned with brand goals

Product Development Support

• Draft detailed product briefs outlining features, materials, packaging direction, and pricing targets
• Help manage the product development calendar to ensure key deliverables stay on time
• Coordinate sample reviews, organize feedback, and document changes

Sourcing & Compliance Coordination

• Work with operations teams to obtain quotes, samples, and certifications from suppliers
• Assist with product testing requirements and track compliance documentation
• Maintain communication with vendors and track progress across multiple SKUs

Launch & Go‑to‑Market Collaboration

• Partner with marketing and creative teams to support product positioning, imagery needs, and launch assets
• Assist in assembling product listings, packaging details, version tracking, and sales documentation

Lifecycle Management

• Review product performance data and support recommendations for improvements, optimizations, or retirements
• Track customer feedback and market changes to recommend product enhancements

Requirements

• 3‑5+ years of experience in product merchandising, product development, sourcing, or a related role in consumer goods, retail, or eCommerce
• Experience researching competitive products and identifying market trends
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects with shifting priorities
• Familiarity with packaging basics, sourcing workflows, or compliance processes is preferred
• Experience working with vendors (domestic or overseas) is a plus
• Knowledge of PIM systems is helpful but not required
• Strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a proactive, solution‑oriented mindset
• Passion for consumer products and creating items customers love

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Support launch of 8‑12 new products annually with complete briefs, samples, and documentation
• Maintain accurate product documentation and deliverables with 95% on‑time task completion
• Provide quarterly merchandising insights with trend reports and product suggestions
• Deliver post‑launch performance summaries within 45‑60 days
• Achieve 100%…