Product Development Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Company Description Whimsocal Studios, formerly known as Orange Circle Studio, is a design-driven company focused on making everyday moments feel special through beautiful, art-centric consumer products. Since 2009, the studio has built a portfolio of purpose-led brands across stationery, gifting, lifestyle, and baby categories. Its family of brands includes Orange Circle Studio, Saturday Sundae, Studio Oh!, Bella Tunno, JuJuBe Intl., and SCOOPS. The company emphasizes creativity, meaning, and a touch of Southern California inspiration in everything it produces, aiming to bring joy and intentionality into daily routines.

Role Description The Product Development Coordinator supports the New Product Development team in managing the day-to-day execution of product development across Whimsocal’s brand portfolio. This role is responsible for coordinating product specifications, sample revisions, factory communication, internal routing, and development timelines from concept handoff through production approval.

This position is ideal for someone with prior experience in product development, merchandising, production coordination, design operations, or consumer products who is ready to take on more ownership within the development process. The Product Development Coordinator will work closely with Design, Editorial, Sales, Production, and overseas factories to ensure product details are accurate, timelines are maintained, and samples are developed according to direction.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, proactive, and comfortable managing multiple projects in a fast-paced consumer-products environment. This role requires strong follow-through, clear communication, and the ability to problem-solve while learning the technical details of product construction, materials, costing, and manufacturing.

• Own day-to-day product development for assigned categories or product lines
• Develop product ideas from concept direction through sample development and approval
• Research materials, construction methods, finishes, packaging formats, and product features appropriate for each category
• Partner with Design and Sales to understand buyer needs, retail positioning, target costs, and product value
• Review competitive products and market references to support product direction
• Help determine appropriate product specifications, contents, materials, dimensions, and packaging approach
• Identify potential product, construction, cost, or manufacturing issues early in the development process

• Communicate directly with overseas factories regarding product development, sample requests, construction details, revisions, and cost options
• Translate product direction into clear development instructions for factories
• Review factory questions and provide guidance or escalate when needed
• Request and evaluate material options, packaging structures, print methods, finishes, and construction alternatives
• Track sample revisions and ensure changes are completed accurately
• Follow up with factories to keep development timelines on track
• Maintain clear written records of factory communication, sample comments, and approval status

• Create, update, and maintain detailed product spec sheets for assigned categories
• Ensure all product information, including dimensions, materials, components, packaging, colors, print methods, and construction details, is accurate and complete
• Review samples against approved direction and spec sheets
• Document sample comments and communicate revisions clearly to factories
• Route samples for internal review and approvals
• Prepare product samples and development information for buyer meetings, internal reviews, and production handoff

• Request and organize factory quotes for assigned products
• Track target costs, MOQs, material changes, packaging changes, and cost updates
• Work with factories to explore cost-saving options while maintaining product value and buyer expectations
• Compare development options and summarize pros, cons, cost impact, and feasibility for internal review
• Support margin-conscious product development by balancing design intent, quality, cost, and manufacturing capability

• Work closely with Design, Sales, Production, Editorial, and internal coordinators to move products through development
• Gather missing product details and resolve discrepancies across teams
• Communicate product status, risks, open questions, and next steps clearly
• Support item setup and production handoff by providing accurate product information
• Help ensure assigned categories stay organized, on schedule, and aligned with internal direction

• Maintain organized files, version control, product references, and development documentation
• Help improve development workflows, tracking tools, and category organization
• Support the Product Development Associate with basic product information, sample tracking, and documentation when needed
• Take ownership of assigned projects while knowing when to ask questions, escalate concerns, or request direction

• Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent work experience
• 2–5 years of experience in product development, merchandising, buying, production, sourcing, design coordination, or a related consumer-products role
• Experience developing physical consumer products required
• Experience with stationery, gifting, lifestyle, baby, beauty, accessories, packaging, or home products preferred
• Experience communicating with overseas factories or vendors strongly preferred
• Strong understanding of product specifications, materials, construction, samples, and costing
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent attention to detail and strong follow-through
• Ability to manage multiple categories, projects, samples, and deadlines at once
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and Outlook
• Ability to organize product data, quotes, development timelines, and sample feedback clearly
• ERP experience, including SAP, is a plus

• Product Ownership
• Attention to Detail
• Creative Problem Solving
• Category Development
• Factory Communication
• Cost Awareness
• Organization and Prioritization
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Follow-Through and Accountability
• Adaptability

$28.00 – $32.00 per hour, depending on experience.

This is a full-time, non-exempt position. Whimsocal offers a comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to grow within the New Product Development team.