Product Development Associate, Ruggable

$70-90k

+ An annual bonus percentage that varies based on level of role

Junior and Mid level

Los Angeles

More information about location

3+ days a week in office (Torrance, CA)

Washable rugs

Be an early applicant

Washable rugs

201-500 employees

B2CManufacturingDesignInterior designConsumer GoodseCommerce

Be an early applicant

$70-90k

+ An annual bonus percentage that varies based on level of role

Junior and Mid level

Los Angeles

More information about location

3+ days a week in office (Torrance, CA)

201-500 employees

B2CManufacturingDesignInterior designConsumer GoodseCommerce

Company mission

Ruggable's mission is to help improve the lives of people and pets in need, while also working towards more responsible business practices.

Job

Company

Role

Who you are

Bachelor's degree in related discipline
2-4 years of experience in product development, preferably within the home textiles industry
Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with internal teams and external suppliers
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools
Willingness to travel occasionally to domestic and overseas supplier locations as needed
Ability to work flexible hours as required to interface with non-USA time zones

Desirable

Experience working with and traveling to factories in Asia
Understanding of textile and yarn manufacturing processes and equipment (e.g., extruding, weaving, tufting, knitting, bonding, washing, finishing, etc.)
Knowledge of ASTM, AATCC, ISO, or other related industry testing standards

What the job involves

As the Product Development Associate, you will play a pivotal role driving the company’s growth through broadening our product catalog
Collaborating closely with internal teams and suppliers abroad, you’ll develop and manufacture products that meet our brand's standards and customer needs, ensuring that our offerings remain at the forefront of the industry
Your commitment to innovation, and willingness to push boundaries will be instrumental in driving our success as industry frontrunners
Proactively manage detailed time and action calendars, working cross-functionally with sourcing, product management, design, and operations teams to ensure timely project delivery
Drive development of yarns, fabrics, and trims with overseas suppliers that meet the intended product brief and customer requirements
Create and maintain detailed documentation for sampling specifications, sample feedback, performance testing results, pre-production trials, and production specifications
Identify and proactively resolve issues that arise during development while ensuring that projects are delivered on-time and within budget
Cultivate strong supplier relationships to efficiently oversee sampling schedules, handle development feedback, and negotiate advantageous costs and terms
Conduct product research, user testing, and performance testing to validate product attributes, quality, and performance
Establish and enforce rigorous quality standards throughout the development life cycle to ensure our products meet and exceed customer expectations
Collaborate with product testing and compliance teams to ensure adherence to industry regulations, standards, and certifications

Our take

Whilst rugs are a staple of interior design and home energy efficiency, they have historically proven a tough solution for people with kids, pets, or messy lifestyles. So Ruggable’s washable, spill-proof rug solution would have come as a welcome innovation when the company launched just over a decade ago. The product consists of a heavier duty base, and a decorative ‘rug layer’ on top, and Ruggable has been consistently expanding the design range of this product ever since.

One obstacle Ruggable will face is that washable materials have developed enough in the decade since Ruggable was founded to allow competitors to gather speed with simpler products. Brands including home design giant Dunelm, for example, offer rugs that are fully washable, without having to separate out the pieces.

Where Ruggable is certainly strong is branding. The company has done well to get products trending, with a successful focus on bloggers and major news outlets. Excellent reviews and superior product exposure are strong keys to success, especially in a period where DTC sales are king.