VP of Product Design and Development Lead

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced VP of Product Design and Development to lead our Product Design and Development team. As a key member of our Executive Leadership Team, you will be responsible for refining and driving the product design and development process to achieve Nugget's Product Vision and Strategy.

• Presents bold ideas and takes them from concept to reality
• Accountable for Nugget's product innovation: delivering new inventions and updated product designs consistent with Nugget's Product Vision and Strategy
• Partners with Marketing on all product-related consumer insights initiatives, providing input on how to maximize research to inform product design
• Defines, documents, and adheres to Nugget's Product/Visual Design language, ensuring consistency with marketing and brand language and aesthetics
• Effectively communicates across the company the 'why' behind product designs: why they are special, appropriate for the consumer, and fitting with our brand

• Translates innovative concepts into market-ready products by optimizing resource allocation and setting clear product design and development goals and budgets
• Owns our 3-year Product Roadmap that delivers on Nugget's Product Strategy and Marketing's insights, interests, and timeline requests, and also considers business goals, values, and the resources of Operations and Creative Services
• Guides and ensures that an 18-month Product Delivery Plan is in place and updated quarterly to execute on product development timelines transparently and consistently
• Clearly synthesizes information from internal and external stakeholders, effectively communicating cross-functionally about development stages and timelines
• Guides the department to collaborate with suppliers, researchers, Legal, and other stakeholders to develop formulations, analyze risk, and establish certifications, safety, and regulatory testing procedures, etc.
• In partnership with Marketing, leads the Stage Gate process of cross-functional product and campaign alignment and progress
• Purview primarily focuses on iterations of existing products, new core products, designed product cost and quality management, packaging functional design
• Balances in-house product development with contracted research and development, using design/engineering firms to support the team, explore concepts, move the needle, and extend the Function's output within timelines

• Provides ongoing leadership support; performance management; regular Check-ins, 1:1's, and semiannual Reviews for direct reports; and guidance for the team to develop and grow in their roles in a high-care + high-performance environment
• Continues to build the Product Design and Development Function at Nugget, hiring and honing product design, product development, and product management talent
• Organizes and inspires a Product Design and Development team to deliver products with thoughtful prioritization and planning - instilling a culture that is equal parts rigorous and playful, careful and productive
• Acts as a liaison between Nugget and relevant external partners and consultants, managing related expenditures and budgets and negotiating favorable terms to optimize resource allocation and ensure financial efficiency
• Has budget development and oversight responsibilities for the Product Design and Development Function, monitoring and considering revisions in line with company priorities on an ongoing basis
• Acts as a fiduciary to the company, acting in good faith, due care, and in the best interest of the business, while upholding and embodying our values
• Collaborates with members of the Executive Leadership Team to set the strategy for achieving (and provide perspective, advice, and input into) Nugget's vision, values, policies, and culture, considering the needs of the whole organization, with an eye towards Product Design and Development
• Provides strategic oversight to and develops clear priorities and performance measures for the Product Design and Development department(s), and utilizes the OKR and KPI framework, to ensure departmental and interdepartmental initiatives are meeting Function goals and driving results toward company-wide business objectives
• As part of ELT, ensures that cross-functional systems and companywide efforts consider, address, and leverage the Function's needs, strengths, calendar, responsibilities, and goals
• As part of ELT, enables the team's role in cross-functional collaboration
• As part of ELT, coordinates, guides, and leads by example the Department Leadership Team and Management Team
• Represents ELT and serves as a positive role model for all Nugget employees

We are looking for a highly experienced and skilled VP of Product Design and Development with 15+ years of experience in product management, product development, and product design, including 5+ years in senior leadership/management roles working with consumer goods.

• Has experience managing product design and development in furniture and/or play
• Has specific experience in the Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) space
• Has contributed as a member and manager of a team that owned the full product development cycle, going from ideation to released product
• Has a history of successfully scaling a product portfolio from few to many, while seriously maintaining the core brand promise and ensuring high customer satisfaction
• Is a demonstrated tastemaker with conviction, and has experience catering to the unique design tastes and preferences of millennial and/or Gen Z demographics
• Is skilled at identifying key and clear value propositions for potential products and then designing solutions specifically for those jobs to be done; and understands what consumer insights and customer segment information is needed to land them; and can very clearly and specifically ask for that information and advise how to get it
• Has demonstrated the capacity to invent and develop innovative functionality, clever solutions, and aesthetically pleasing design that is packed with possibilities
• Approach to product design mixes art and process; balancing aesthetic taste with careful analysis to deliver what consumers want (even if they haven't 'asked' for it)
• Set objectives to align with broader organizational goals and stage activities with relevant milestones and schedules to meet those objectives
• Has experience applying knowledge of internal structures, processes, and culture to deploy resources effectively - consistently overcoming challenges and guiding the team to exceed goals and deliver impactful results
• Builds and fosters strong-identity, high-performing teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals
• Is a highly creative problem solver that is passionate about coming up with innovative ideas and ways of thinking that are new, better, or unique - then taking those creative ideas and bringing them to life
• Can anticipate and balance the needs of multiple stakeholders, incorporating both business needs and our consumer needs when presenting solutions and making decisions
• Approaches work with a 'no job is too small' attitude, and has a curious mind - always willing to learn and grow their imagination

• Competitive Pay + Annual Company Bonus
• Medical, Dental, and Vision covered at 100% for employees
• PTO + Wellness, Holidays, Summer and Winter Break
• 401k Employer Match
• Paid Parental Leave
• Free Nugget and Free Chunk + Team Discount

Nugget is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or family status, disability, gender identity or expression, veteran status, actual or presumed belonging to an ethnic group, or any other legally protected status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.