Director of Product Development

ccaandb; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lumistella Company is seeking a Director of Product Development in Atlanta, Georgia. This leader will ensure the successful execution of product portfolios, managing a team to bring innovative storytelling to life through consumer products.

The ideal candidate should have 8–10 years of experience, a strong technical background, and exceptional cross-functional communication skills. This role plays a vital part in executing high-quality products for iconic brands like The Elf on the Shelf.

Qualifications

• 8–10 years in product development, engineering, or related roles.
• Deep understanding of product development lifecycles including feasibility.
• Experience with consumer play-pattern insights and global child safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end product execution from concept through pre-production.
• Translate design concepts into detailed, production-ready documentation.
• Oversee sampling, feasibility, iteration, and vendor alignment.

Skills

Product development lifecycles

Cross-functional communication

Technical literacy in materials

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD software

Job description

JoinusinTellingtheStoriesofSanta’sNorthPole!

The Lumistella Company is a global intellectual property company dedicated to bringing Santa’s North Pole to life for children around the world through consumer products, original entertainment and brand experiences. We are home to the most iconic and beloved Christmas brands of this generation including The ElfontheShelf, ElfPets, and Elf Mates.

Director of Product Development

The Director of Product Development will lead the cross‑category execution of Lumistella’s physical product portfolio, ensuring that every product and packaging design is translated into a technically feasible, vendor‑ready solution that meets cost, quality, safety, and customer expectations. This role manages 2-3 category‑specific product development managers and the product engineer to deliver high‑fidelity execution for core and licensed products across plush, toys, books, and hybrid formats.

This leader is the bridge between creative vision and manufacturing execution, finalizing tech packs, managing vendor sampling, and coordinating with project management, sourcing, costing, compliance, brand integrity, and design teams to bring Lumistella’s storytelling to life through physical goods.

Projects include, but are not limited to, elf dolls, elf clothes and props, plush characters, reading and activity books, plus a variety of toys with varying play patterns for multiple age groups. Each season can have upwards of 50 unique and innovative items for new development, in addition to 100+ products sold globally year after year requiring product and/or packaging updates from previous seasons.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end‑to‑end product execution from concept through pre‑production across all product categories.
• Translate design concepts into detailed, production‑ready engineering and tech documentation.
• Oversee sampling, feasibility, iteration, and vendor alignment to meet quality, cost, and performance targets.
• Manage and mentor a team of Product Development Managers and Product Engineers.
• Balance workloads, timelines, and support professional growth and risk mitigation.
• Drive cross‑functional alignment with Creative, Packaging, Costing, Sourcing, Legal/Compliance, Marketing, and Program Management.
• Ensure products meet safety, regulatory, durability, and usability standards.
• Own final tech pack quality, completeness, versioning, and vendor handoff documentation.

Ideal Candidate

• 8–10 years in product development, engineering, or related roles in consumer products, toys, or licensing‑based organizations.
• Deep understanding of product development lifecycles including feasibility, sampling, documentation, and factory communication.
• Extensive experience with development of producting global manufacturing environments (specifically Asia, including China and Vietnam).
• Proven track record leading cross‑category development and managing a high volume of concurrent SKUs and timelines.
• Familiarity with “busy season” in a highly seasonal business model.
• Experience with consumer play‑pattern insights and global child safety standards (ASTM, CPSIA, EU regulations, etc.).
• Strong technical literacy in materials, packaging forms, CAD software, BOM structuring, and mechanical documentation.
• Excellent cross‑functional communication and stakeholder management skills.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Product Development, Manufacturing, or related field preferred.

The Lumistella Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.