At Magnolia, the Associate Product Developer works closely with the product development and design teams to deliver custom Magnolia products. This position involves actively managing sample development, communicating with vendors, and ensuring product readiness for production. This position works from Magnolia Headquarters in Waco, Texas. It reports to the Sourcing and Product Development Manager and has no supervisory responsibilities. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Own day-to-day product development process, including daily communication with cross-functional partners and vendors to support development timelines and deliverables*
Proactively maintain product information in the seasonal product database with, ensuring alignment with cross-functional teams and the seasonal development calendar*
Facilitate clear and timely communication of development updates, feedback, and changes to cross-functional teams and vendors*
Adhere to milestones and deadlines outlined in the seasonal development calendar*
Manage pre-production and TOP samples, including maintaining the in-house sample library, tracking sample inventory, and reviewing samples for accuracy and consistency*
Participate in team meetings, product reviews, and development discussions to inform and support development process each season
Coordinate and manage the timely delivery of photography samples to cross-functional teams
Manage receipt, dispatch, tracking, and organization of all in-house development, revised, pre-production, and TOP samples while maintaining an orderly and efficient workroom. - Partner with Design to manage and maintain the finish and material library
Develop a working knowledge of product development and manufacturing processes, factory capabilities, and a deep understanding of our Magnolia product aesthetic
Perform other duties as assigned
*Metrics evaluated on Performance Review
COMPETENCIES
Teamwork: Contribute to a team environment supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Work effectively with others, be a team player and contribute toward team goals. - Critical Thinking: Identify and communicate challenges in day-to-day activities. Ability to analyze data, trends, and patterns. - Expertise: Eye for detail, accuracy, and complete all tasks in a timely manner. Possess knowledge and skills related to specific area(s) and specialized tools and techniques relevant to specialization. - Communication: Actively engage in listening to teammates and guests and be open to feedback from guests, peers, and management. - Guest Focus: Ability to proactively understand and meet guest needs, ensuring a personalized and guest-centric experience. - Strategy and Goal Setting: Approach change with positivity and curiosity. Know your role in achieving team goals. - Hard skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Google Docs required. Airtable, NetSuite experience preferred. ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree from a 4-year college or university preferred
2-4 years of related work experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience preferred
2-3 years of project management, product development or retail experience in home décor, furnishings, related field preferred
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands and arms to reach, handle, feel; utilize fine motor dexterity of fingers; talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee is frequently required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. WORK ENVIRONMENT
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by an employee in this classification. It is not to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of employees assigned to this job. Management has the right to add to, revise, or delete information in this description at any time.
