Product Development Lead – Consumer Products

 

Customer Experience

 

 

 

Reporting to the Business Partner Relationship Manager, this role supports the product development lifecycle, including concept development, vendor coordination, sampling, design direction, cost and timeline management.

 

This role leads the product development process for merchandise, from concept through production, ensuring alignment with brand vision, quality standards, and commercial goals. It serves as the primary liaison between Merchandising, and external vendors to manage timelines, sampling, approvals, and production execution. The role also oversees critical development tools and processes, including line sheets, visual plans, and merchandising toolkits. 

 

 

 

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end product development process for merchandise collections across all categories;
• Communicate with vendors, sampling timelines, and product approvals to ensure on-time delivery;
• Lead design direction with vendors, providing clear creative guidance and feedback to ensure product development aligns with brand vision, quality standards, and commercial objectives;
• Track development pipeline, calendars, costs, and production milestones to ensure alignment with launch schedules;
• Partner with Merchandising, Show Teams and Creative/Brand teams to translate concepts into viable, production-ready products;
• Ensure all products meet quality, design, and brand standards prior to production approval;
• Identify and resolve development issues, including potential production delays, quality concerns, and cost challenges;
• Maintain accurate product development documentation, including specs, samples, pricing, and vendor records;
• Support seasonal launches, special projects, and new store/show rollouts;
• Continuously improve product development processes to increase efficiency, speed, and quality outcomes;
• Maintain all merchandising toolkits in alignment with brand and merchandise standards, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and readiness for execution across all locations and launches;
• Update and maintain line sheets and visual line plans for each market, ensuring accurate product assortments, clear merchandising direction, and alignment with regional strategy and brand standards;
• Coordinate internal art requests, ensuring timely submission, clear creative brief, and alignment with brand and merchandising standards;
• Manage the end-to-end sample process, including tracking, organization, review, and approval to ensure products meet design, quality, and brand standards prior to production;
• Support new show openings and product launches by coordinating merchandise readiness, ensuring timely delivery, and aligning product assortments with launch requirements;
• Complete all other job-related duties as assigned.

 

 

 

Qualifications

• Associates degree in Business, Merchandising, Design, Supply Chain Management, or a related field, or on the job/work equivalent experience;
• At least 3 years of experience in traditional and/or non-traditional retail outlets, preferably in the entertainment industry;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing market conditions;
• Proven time management skills and ability to prioritize tasks effectively;
• Knowledge of ethical sourcing and sustainable practices is a plus;
• Strong attention to detail and robust organizational skills;
• Advanced knowledge of all Microsoft Office and Adobe Products is an asset;
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken;
• Verification of the right to work in the United States for Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, as demonstrated by completion of the Form I-9 upon hire and the submission of acceptable documentation (as noted on the Form I-9) verifying one’s identity and work authorization.

 

 

As you can imagine, working with a circus can be quite different from other organizations, and at Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, we embrace these differences loudly with enthusiasm. We realize that one size fits none and invite you to come create your own specialized experience with us to see exactly what we’re talking about, firsthand. 

Our emotion-provoking shows are just the tip of the iceberg: laced throughout our organization, you will find creative minds who are empowered to use their voices and be themselves, their truest selves. Diversity to us means various perspectives, fresh ideas and continuous improvement of the way we do things. We won’t pretend like we have every answer, that’s why we need you! The employees here are the center of what we do, the voices behind the final product and amazing performances on stage. 

 

 

When you think of your ideal workplace, what comes to mind? For us, it looks (and really is) like this:

• Teamwork – we thrive with collaborative teams, regardless of titles or departments;
• Respect – when we ask someone to join our team, it’s because we trust and respect you;
• Integrity – whether you work behind-the-scenes or in the office, you’re being counted on. We are a team and integrity goes a long way here, and like we mentioned previously, trust is important;
• Authenticity – we want you to bring your full self to work, this is a place where you don’t need to fit into a box to belong; diverse perspectives foster even more creativity in the workplace. We embrace the human behind the employee number;
• Being heard – you have access to everyone in the organization, use your voice on development questions or suggestions on how to improve the experience. We value open and transparent communication, and we want you to be heard!