Retail Product Development / Product Manager$90,000-$100,000 + Bonus & Benefits
Hybrid | Oakville, ON (3 days in-office)
This Role Is For You If...You've built a solid foundation on the vendor side or the buying side within the large big box retailer environment- and you're ready to
step into product management with a heavy emphasis on the development of product with in the home storage and organizing category, as the next phase of your career.
You may currently be working as a:
- Sales Analyst, Account Coordinator, Merchandising Coordinator
- Purchasing or Inventory Analyst
- Buyer, Assistant Buyer, or Merchandising professional at a major retailer
You understand how products are evaluated, costed, ranged, and sold - but you're ready to move closer to the product itself. You may even feel a bit held back and looking for a role that offers real career progression, not just more responsibility in the same lane. It is a hands-on, high-exposure opportunity to grow into one.
This role is not a fit if You are...- Already operating as a Senior Product Development Manager and looking to step into a leadership-only role
- Seeking a position with direct reports or full ownership of a product portfolio on day one
- Looking for a purely strategic role without hands-on execution
- New to large-scale retail and still learning how major retailers operate
What You'll Learn & OwnIn this role, you'll manage the full lifecycle of retail product development - from early concept through to retail launch. You will have hands on training from the PDM being promoted.
Product Strategy & Planning- Support and execute product development plans in collaboration with the Business Unit Manager (BUM) and Chief Innovation Officer
- Conduct market and competitive research across assigned retail channels
- Identify market gaps and translate consumer insights into viable product concepts
- Collaborate with innovation and product design teams
Product Development & Engineering- Coordinate product development activities from concept through launch
- Support Asian sourcing initiatives and work closely with Neatfreak's innovation and design team in Lyon, France
- Partner with the Head Engineer on specifications, prototyping, and performance testing
- Lead ongoing communication with manufacturing partners
Packaging, Marketing & Sales Support- Collaborate with Packaging and Marketing on packaging concepts, dielines, merchandising solutions, and artwork
- Support Sales and Marketing with product presentations and sample coordination
Systems, Data & Administration- Create and manage SKU setup in the PLM system
- Maintain accurate product data throughout the development lifecycle
Vendor & Retailer Engagement- Participate in meetings with factories and vendors in North America and Asia
- Support buyer meetings and retailer presentations alongside Sales and the BUM
What We're Looking For- Education: Bachelor's Degree
- This role requires prior experience (5-7 years) working within or directly with large North American retailers.
Candidates without exposure to major retail environments (vendor-side or buying-side) are unlikely to find this role a fit.
- This role is ideal for someone who is ready to stretch - to learn, to be coached, and to grow into greater responsibility over time.
- Strong curiosity, learning agility, and desire to grow into product leadership
- Commercial mindset - you understand what sells and why
- Organized, proactive, and comfortable managing complexity
- Confident communicator
Career PathThis role is designed with growth in mind. In fact, this role is open due to the promotion of their current PDM. Future paths may include:
- Product Development Manager (Senior Level)
- Sales Account Management
- Business Unit Management with P&L responsibility
Everyone at Neatfreak is hired with a long-term career path in mind.
Interview Process
- In-person interviews
- Guidance and support throughout the process
- Employment references required
