Product Development Lead

J. L. Childress Co., Inc.; Orange (CA); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 62,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

SEP retirement plan

Job summary

J.L. Childress, a family-owned brand celebrating 40 years, seeks a Part-time Product Development Lead in Orange, CA to support the Product Development Manager with design, sampling, copywriting, photography/video assets, and packaging development for retail launches.

You will collaborate with the founding family, manage ongoing product changes, and coordinate with Operations & Sales to ensure accurate product information and timely updates across Disney-branded lines.

Qualifications

• 2+ years in consumer goods product development or related role.
• Experience assisting with product photo shoots.
• Experience with licensed products (specifically Disney) valued.
• Experience in a small or family-owned business valued.

Responsibilities

• Manage Product Packaging creation and branding details.
• Coordinate item data, UPCs, and compliance with packaging.
• Support product photography and video shoots, on-site or remote.
• Assist with product development from concept to retail launch.
• Coordinate with Operations and Sales to manage timelines.

Skills

Project management

Detail-oriented

Self-starter

Education

Bachelor’s Degree preferred—Marketing, Communications, Business, Design or related field

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Canva

Asana

Job description

Schedule: 35 hours/week, with potential to transition to full-time

Hybrid: On Site (Orange, CA) + 1–2 days/week remote

Reports to: Product Development Manager

Overview

J.L. Childress, a trusted family‑owned brand celebrating 40 years of supporting parents with innovative and travel‑friendly baby products, is seeking a Product Development Lead for a part‑time position. This role would assist our Product Development Manager with all aspects of product creation: design, sampling, copywriting, photo and video asset creation, packaging development and team communication to ensure a successful product launch. This role would also manage ongoing item changes, coordinating with Operations & Sales to manage timelines and ensure accurate product information.

The ideal candidate enjoys both organized execution and creative development, as both are essential to thriving in this position. The ideal candidate is energized by and appreciates a small‑business culture and wants to see products come to life from concept through retail launch. You will work closely with the founding family and play a key role in growing our brands.

Key Responsibilities

Product Development Support

• Manage Product Packaging Creation
• Apply packaging artwork templates to the full item catalog – responsible for initial designs, layouts, photo selections, text call‑outs, etc.
• Ensure accurate item details, UPCs, and branding
• Work with Compliance Team to ensure packaging is legally compliant
• Work with graphic designer to execute initial designs
• Initiating projects & maintaining timelines
• Providing direction for revisions
• Maintaining brand style guide integrity throughout creative development
• Work with production factory to ensure printed packaging is accurate
• Manage Ongoing Product Changes
• Help Product Development Manager monitor/track ongoing product updates as they relate to new designs, sizes, packaging styles, features, etc.
• Support with product asset edits, creation, and dissemination to Retailers and/or Sales Team such as new item photography, descriptions, etc.
• Support Product Photography and Video Production
• Develop shot lists, prepare samples, handle model coordination, provide on‑site support and/or fully manage photo or video shoots, depending on experience and capabilities
• Assist with Product Development for all J.L. Childress brands, including Disney Baby by J.L. Childress and new brand launches, as applicable.
• Integrated into full product creation process, assisting the Product Development Manager with needs such as working with Designer on pattern creation/edits, physically checking compliance of new products, coordinating samples with the production factory and more
• Copywriting to develop product descriptions, highlights, features & benefits
• Assist with Licensee Obligations
• Help with submitting item data within Disney's Licensee OPA system and obtaining necessary approvals in coordination with production timelines
• Creative asset research within Disney's Licensee OPA system to assist in product design
• Manage Item Reviews & Syndication Program
• Initiate programs via BazaarVoice or other platforms used by J.L. Childress to support product launches, such as product reviews
• Assist with Internal Team Communications for Item Launches, sharing necessary details and assets with Operations, Sales, Marketing & more

Preferred Background & Skills

Experience

• 2+ years in consumer goods Product Development or related role
• Wholesale retail or ecommerce experience preferred
• Experience assisting with and/or managing product photo shoots
• Experience working with graphic design applications such as Adobe Creative Suite and Canva
• Experience working with Licensed Products (specifically Disney) highly valued
• Experience in a small or family‑owned business highly valued

Technical Skills

• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) ideal but not required
• Experience with Canva ideal but not required
• Experience with Project Management Tools, i.e. Asana ideal but not required

Personal Strengths

• Highly organized with strong project management skills
• Detail‑oriented with a strong eye for brand and presentation
• Self‑starter who thrives in a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial environment
• Comfortable wearing many hats

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred—Marketing, Communications, Business, Design or related field

Schedule & Compensation

• Schedule: 35 hours/week
• Full‑time Potential: While this position is structured as a 35‑hour/week role, we are open to discussing a full‑time schedule based on the candidate’s qualifications, interest and mutual fit. The position may also have the opportunity to transition to full‑time over time. Candidates interested in a full‑time schedule are welcome to discuss this during the interview process.
• Compensation: $38 - $45/hour
• Performance bonus
• Company‑funded (SEP) retirement account (offered in Year 3 of employment)
• Benefits: No health or dental insurance currently offered

Company Culture

• Work‑life balance strongly encouraged
• “Family comes first” environment
• Summer & Winter company outings
• Relaxed, smart/casual in‑office dress code
• Employee appreciation and birthday lunches