Product Development Specialist-Molded Products

Our Toronto-based niche products client requires a highly-talented cadidate with MOLDED PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE.
The Product Development Specialist – Molded Products is responsible for the end-to-end development of molded niche products, ensuring they meet safety, durability, performance, and brand standards from concept through production. This role focuses on managing the raw material, prototype sampling, and production of molded products, including tooling, material selection, and quality, while collaborating closely with design, sourcing, quality controller, and overseas suppliers to deliver innovative, safe, durable and high-performing products.
Key Responsibilities:

Manage the full product development lifecycle for molded products, from brief and concept through prototyping, SMS/PP, and bulk production.

Create, maintain, and update tech packs, BOMs, and specifications, including materials, construction methods, and measurements specific to molded products.

Partner with the Design team to evaluate 2D and 3D product specifications and drawings, raw material selections, colours, coating and prototype samples.

Closely work with Design team to translate line plans into commercially viable products that align with brand aesthetics, quality standards, and margin goals, while identifying cost-saving opportunities without compromising safety or durability, and ensuring there are no manufacturing constraints.

Serve as the main day-to-day contact for overseas suppliers, coordinating sample rounds, managing submission updates, tracking T&A calendars, and ensuring development and production milestones are met on time. Provide regular updates and proactively flag any potential delays or risks to the Director and key stakeholders.

Actively participate in cross-functional meetings with design, marketing, sales, and operations to align timelines, priorities, and risk mitigation.

Create care labels and barcode sticker artwork for their own category and coordinate with the Design and Brand team on packaging guidelines for new products.

Manage product testing, ensure compliance with safety standards and recommended specifications, and troubleshoot any failed test results.

Support product line reviews and weekly production meetings, providing clear updates on sample readiness, mold & tooling issues and resolutions, testing outcomes, production status, and potential risks.

Monitor production quality with the quality controller, review inspection reports, and provide timely feedback.

Lead pre-production and post-production review meetings with factories and overseas quality control teams.

Monitor product performance post-launch, propose enhancements based on data and feedback, and prepare monthly defect reports.

Educate internal teams (customer service, sales, marketing) on molded product features and benefits, supported by data-driven insights.

Prepare any product documentation, reports, and presentations for stakeholders when needed.

Perform other administrative duties as needed.

Qualifications & Skills:

3 to 5 years of experience in molded product lifecycle management.

Strong proficiency in 2D and 3D design software such as Solid Works, Key Shot, Rhino, and AutoCAD, with basic knowledge of Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

Advanced understanding of molded materials (silicone, TPR, TPE, metal, natural rubber) and injection molding processes, including tooling and efficiency considerations.

Solid knowledge of product testing, safety standards, and manufacturability specifically for molded products.

Excellent project management, analytical, and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams and overseas factories

Detail-oriented, organized, and a team player, able to work collaboratively while managing multiple priorities

Degree or diploma in Industrial Design, Product Design, Mechanical/Materials Engineering, or a related field, with strong knowledge of molded materials, tooling, and manufacturing processes.

Proficient in Excel and timeline tracking tools such as Asana.