Product Developer (On-Site)

Gopher Sport; Owatonna (MN); Hybrid; USD 63,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance (HSA options)

Vision insurance

Paid time off

Remote work flexible hours

Company holidays

Profit sharing

401K

Lifestyle Spending Account

Tuition reimbursement

Product discounts

Onsite fitness center

Job summary

Gopher Sport is seeking a Product Developer to lead company-brand product launches and improve existing offerings. You will manage projects from concept to launch, coordinating with vendors and internal teams to ensure quality, profitability and customer value.

Responsibilities include developing PRDs, managing suppliers, prototype testing, production readiness, and creating product collateral while driving timelines and product improvements based on market insights.

Qualifications

• 4-year Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to drive timelines and hold stakeholders accountable.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Manage product development projects from concept through launch using the company process.
• Ensure products meet differentiation, performance, quality, and profitability standards.
• Develop Product Requirements Documents using market research and financial analysis.
• Identify and manage supplier partners throughout the lifecycle.
• Coordinate prototype development, testing, evaluation, and production readiness.
• Oversee transition of approved products into production for first shipment.
• Investigate quality concerns and implement corrective actions with vendors.
• Lead development of product collateral (descriptions, manuals, assembly instructions).
• Review categories to identify gaps and improvement opportunities.
• Lead product improvement initiatives from customer and market insights.
• Maintain accurate specifications and project documentation.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to support growth of assigned projects.

Skills

Project management

Attention to detail

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical thinking

Decision making

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Project Management, Supply Chain, Marketing or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Gopher Sport is looking for a motivated and detail-oriented Product Developer to help successfully launch new company-brand products and improve existing product offerings. This role manages product development projects from concept through launch, working closely with vendors and internal teams to deliver products that meet company standards for quality, functionality, profitability, and customer value. You will manage assigned product projects, communicate and document progress.

Who we are

Gopher Sport is an industry-leading inventor and seller of high-quality, innovative products used by teachers, coaches and kids for physical education, athletics, fitness and recreation.

Our mission

“To help teachers and coaches show kids how to have fun and be healthier through physical activity”. Started in 1947, we are committed to giving our customers innovative, high-quality products; fast, friendly, easy, right service; and an unconditional satisfaction guarantee.

Our Values

We are one dependable and trustworthy team

We are passionate about quality and excellence

We move fast to innovate, simplify, and improve

Description

You will be responsible for developing and launching new company-brand products while helping improve product offerings. Working across a variety of product categories, you will manage assigned projects through the entire product development process -from concept, research, and specification development through vendor selection, prototype evaluation, and product launch.

Success in this role requires strong project management skills, attention to detail, and the ability to coordinate multiple priorities. You will collaborate with vendors and cross-functional teams to ensure products meet quality, appearance, functionality, profitability, inventory, and timeline objectives.

What will you be doing?

• Manage assigned product development projects from concept through launch using Gopher Sport's established product development process.
• Ensure products meet or exceed company standards for differentiation, performance, appearance, functionality, quality, and profitability.
• Develop Product Requirements Documents (PRDs) using market research, customer insights, usability considerations, and financial analysis.
• Identify, evaluate, negotiate with, onboard, and manage supplier partners throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Coordinate the development, testing, evaluation, documentation, and approval of prototypes, samples, and production-ready products.
• Manage all activities required to transition approved products into production, ready for first shipment, ensuring product quality and launch readiness.
• Investigate product quality concerns and collaborate with vendors and internal teams to implement corrective actions.
• Lead the development of product collateral, including product descriptions, user manuals, assembly instructions, and other customer-facing materials.
• Review product categories and assortments to identify market gaps, product improvement opportunities, and future development projects.
• Lead product improvement initiatives by translating customer, market, and business insights into product enhancements and new development opportunities.
• Maintain accurate product specifications, project documentation, and supporting records throughout the product lifecycle.
• Collaborate cross-functionally and support the ongoing growth and performance of assigned product projects.

Requirements

• 4 year Bachelor’s degree in Business, Project Management, Supply Chain, Marketing or related field
• Strong project management and organizational skills with attention to detail
• Basic knowledge of manufacturing processes, materials, and product costing
• Ability to drive timelines and hold stakeholders accountable
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making ability
• Ability to balance multiple priorities and adapt quickly
• Proficient with all Microsoft Office applications

Why join our Team

You’ll get satisfaction knowing you're helping millions of kids around the world have fun and become more active and healthy. Plus, you'll get a competitive compensation and benefit package, including traditional and HSA Health Insurance options, Vision, 3 weeks of Paid Time Off accrued the first year, 3 weeks of remote work flexible hours, 8 company paid holidays, profit sharing, 401K, a Lifestyle Spending Account, tuition reimbursement, product discounts, an onsite fitness center and so much more!

Salary Range is $63,300 to $88,300