Director of Product Development (Asia)

Who are we:
Caraway is a home goods brand on a mission to craft well-designed, non-toxic home goods that thoughtfully raises the standards of what you cook with. We’re passionate about creating elevated products, free of toxic chemicals, that are better for you, your family, and the planet. We prioritize a holistic approach to the creation of Caraway products. We partner with ethical manufacturers where their employees are safe, paid fairly, given benefits, and work regulated hours. Our eco-friendly manufacturing process releases less CO2 into the environment than traditional non-stick coatings and we engage in sustainable packaging practices, free of single-use plastics and ship in packaging made from recycled materials. We pride ourselves on continuously striving to do and be better - for you and the planet - in every step of the process.

Since launching in November 2019, we’ve become one of the fastest growing digitally-native brands of the last decade and are now sold in retailers including Target, Bloomingdale’s, Crate & Barrel, The Container Store, Costco, Zola, and many more.

We’ve amassed over 85,000+ five-star reviews from happy customers and hundreds of press hits from the likes of Vogue, Domino, Good Housekeeping, Food & Wine, Architectural Digest, PureWow, Fortune, and CNN.

Caraway is a fully-remote company filled with motivated and hardworking innovators and doers. We’re continually developing programs to support our distributed team to ensure a successful remote experience. If you’re looking to join a brand that folks love, read on and apply!

The Opportunity:
Caraway is looking for a Director of Product Development in Asia to lead the expansion of our kitchen and homeware lines, serving as the liaison between Asia-based factories and our headquarters in NYC. The Director of Product Development will be responsible for managing and enacting improvements to existing product lines as well as developing new product line initiatives, establishing new factory relationships, and sourcing new suppliers to execute on the design vision of Caraway. You will manage a team of 2 (Quality Engineer and Technical Engineering Project Manager). In close collaboration with the US team and factory partners, you will work to bring new concepts to life with innovative techniques, materials, and an uncompromising focus on the highest quality, cost, and aesthetic outcomes.

Who You Are:
An established leader in the kitchen and homewares space with at least 10 years of experience in homewares product development. Additional expertise in metals, sustainable plastics, glass, wood, electronics, and other materials is helpful as we continue to develop sustainable options. You are detail-oriented, a quick learner, and comfortable with many different types of responsibilities. You are an expert project manager and communicator allowing you to easily flow information between multiple stakeholders (US team, Asia PD team, external factory partners, design agencies, packaging vendors, and more). 

You are comfortable working independently to define tasks and prioritize workflows for you and your team with the larger milestones and objectives in mind. Your analytical, data-driven approach allows you to translate complex challenges into actionable plans forward. 

Travel, sometimes on short notice, to address factory and production related challenges as well as identify potential sources early in the product development lifecycle will be a part of this role. 

Responsibilities:

Project Management and Communication

• Establish a deep understanding of the product, including technical details, design, and overall requirements and coordinate communication between internal stakeholders and external factory partners to ensure intended details are met
• Ensure full details are established, clear, and communicated to external stakeholders. This includes the CAD and design details, but also quality and testing requirements. 
  • Work with the internal Caraway team to establish new standards and/or adapt existing ones as needed.
• Establish priorities between Asia and USA PD team based on production timeline, critical nature of issues, and supplier needs
• Provide clear daily communication on key issues, blockers, missing details, and other facets to keep projects moving forward. Explicitly detail what is needed from the US team to keep a 24 hour cycle between the US and Asia team. 
• Communicate with factory management directly when necessary, ensuring key issues are addressed in a timely manner and by the appropriate parties
• Understand the basics of costing and labor costs across Asia. Coordinate pricing updates with suppliers throughout the development process on both unit and tooling costs

Technical Leadership

• Be able to follow complex technical problems, providing guidance for internal team members and factory partners. 
• Communicate information clearly to internal team members and provide actionable items in a timely manner to maintain project timelines
• Work closely with the US team to ensure specifications are fully detailed prior to supplier engagement (technical, tooling details, CMF, etc)
• Proactively identify ways to save costs without compromising aesthetics or quality.

People Management + Leadership

• Establish weekly priorities with local team members, keeping key projects in mind in coordination with the US team and support the continued growth and professional development of direct reports
• Set quarterly team metrics and goals outside of project-based work. For example, establishing improved quality metrics and documentation with key suppliers. 

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• 7+ years of experience in kitchenware product development. Bonus points for experience in metals, sustainable plastics, glass, and wood.
• You’re detail-oriented and a fast learner comfortable wearing many hats
• You take initiative and have a relentless desire to optimize + improve each product
• You’re an analytical, data-driven thinker who can translate complex challenges into actionable insights
• Able to communicate clearly and seamlessly with a wide array of internal and external stakeholders
• Excellent at written communication with an ability to act as intermediary between Design, Product Development and factories.
• Strong project management and communication skills
• Willing to travel for several days at a time and able to work independently, establishing priorities as necessary

Please note that the duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the role. Additional tasks and responsibilities may be assigned as needed to meet business needs.

Caraway Life:
Caraway is an exciting, fully remote digitally native company that is bringing kitchenware and home goods into the modern era, leading from a non-toxic and sustainable foundation.

Team: You will be joining a passionate and collaborative fully-remote team that prides itself on high-quality work, supporting one another, sharing our successes, and building a brand we truly love, together.

Culture: At Caraway, we value continuous learning and career growth. We strive to continually optimize our processes, ensuring that we’re thoughtful in everything we do, both internally and externally. We listen to our employees, celebrate our wins, and constantly look for ways to be better for our team, and the world. 

Workplace: Being a fully-remote company, we have no headquarters and are truly distributed across the country. Our leadership team sits on both the East and West Coast and we have folks in a variety of states. We offer a monthly stipend towards co-working space should folks need to switch up their working environment every now and then.

Benefits: We value you and your family. With this in mind, full-time eligible employees are provided: 

• A Setup that works for you:: From MacBook to PC, we’ve got you covered. Let us know what you prefer and we’ll get your at-home set up stocked! 
• Elevate your Workspace: Annual reimbursements for you to elevate your workspace, from standing desks to desktop succulents, you got it!
• Fully Remote: Need to pick up the kids? No problem. Have a doctor’s appointment? Enjoy! Flexibility when you need it most. 
• Coworking Reimbursement: Need a break from the home setting? Monthly reimbursements for you to get out of the house and work from anywhere. From day passes, to monthly memberships, the world is your oyster, we mean office. 
• Events + Swag: Connection is top of mind (Yes, even in our completely remote environment). We have monthly virtual events, company wide offsites, and many opportunities for new Caraway swag!
• Leveling Up with Caraway: In addition to exciting opportunities and exposure in your day-to-day work, we offer annual reimbursements to all full-time employees to support their professional development aspirations!
• #AwayFromCaraway: We believe healthy, happy humans do better work. We offer PTO in addition to annual holidays and quarterly wellness days.
• Wellness Reimbursement: Monthly reimbursements for you to stay well. From meal services to gym memberships to monthly massages, we want our team to have the flexibility to choose what wellness means for them.
• Employee Discount: We provide an employee discount on all Caraway Home products so you can continue to level up your kitchen and home life, too! 
• Home Upgrade(s): Complimentary product as a new hire + continuous  to expand your Caraway Home collection.

Caraway is an Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status