Who is Rack-A-Tiers?
Widely known as one of the most innovative companies in the specialty electrical tools industry, Rack-A-Tiers Mfg. is a Canadian manufacturer and marketer of over 1,000+ unique tools to make jobs easier, faster, and cheaper for our customers. We sell across North America through a network of 6,000 wholesale partners, as well as directly through our ecommerce site, and Amazon.
Are you looking to work in a dynamic, collaborative, and fun workplace? Want to be a part of a team that fosters opportunities for personal and professional growth? Come join our small and growing product development team, as we are seeking a full-time Product Development Specialist.
As a Product Development Specialist, you will be working directly with both our Product Development Manager, Electrical Consultant and Supply Chain team to coordinate the development of products from full design, prototyping to final concept iteration.
This position is expected to work 3 out of 5 days in-office, with the flexibility to work from the comfort of your own home on the other 2 days in the week (if warranted considering the workload), at a minimum of 37.5-40 hours a week.
What does this role involve?
Product Development Cycle Coordination
- Communicating and directly collaborating with the VP of Product Development, Head of Supply Chain and Product Development Manager through the full product development life cycle, including early ideation, concept designs, CAD modeling, prototyping, field testing, validation and final production hand-off.
- Assist the Product Development Manager in coordinating the development of products from full design, early-stage prototyping to final concept iteration.
- Evaluating early-stage product ideas from internal stakeholders or inventors and assessing for manufacturing, durability and ergonomics for speciality tools for electricians.
- Transforming early-stage ideas and assessing for manufacturing, durability and ergonomics to design speciality tools for electricians.
- Direct collaboration with field-users (electricians), product specialist (i.e vendors & suppliers) and Rack-A-Tiers manufacturing partners, ensuring products meet desired performance, safety and usability standards for the intended application and product requirements.
- Collaborate with our Head of Supply Chain to conduct research into cost, properties of production materials and methods of production
Prototyping, Samples & Testing Coordination
- Track timelines, deliverables, prototypes and coordinate with suppliers and internal departments to follow up on product samples, specifications, packaging, timelines, and documentation.
- Implementing prototype sample reviews with President and informing product team on any changes or updates discussed during in person meetings.
- Initiating prompt discussions when samples come in and create actionable items to push projects through the product development flow.
- Assist the Product Development Manager in coordinating formal product testing programs, collecting qualitative and quantitative data to assist the product development team in making development decisions.
- Work closely with an Electrical Consultant to capture, review and relay technical feedback to the Product Development team throughout the product development cycle.
- Work closely with an Electrical Consultant by testing, analyzing and suggesting improvements to existing Rack-A-Tiers products
- Continuously review, analyze and suggest improvements to existing Rack-A-Tiers products
Product & Packaging Documentation and Specifications
- Lead the creation of and maintaining comprehensive tech-packs to document product specifications, materials, packaging requirements and necessary manufacturing details. This includes manufacturing drawings, specifications and guidelines for production and early-stage prototypes.
- Communicate efficiently with graphic design, including all product details and information are handed off for new product packaging designs.
- Coordinate and test various packaging options for Rack-A-Tiers products. Collect information and data that supports product packaging decisions.
- Create and maintain product specification sheets and supporting documentation for all relevant Rack-A-Tiers products.
About You!
- Highly organized and self-motivated problem solver that is passionate about creating solutions for real-world problems and understanding jobsite challenges.
- Highly detailed oriented individual who ensures projects and deliverables meet the desired expectations on a quality and timeline basis.
- Excited in getting hand-on experience working with prototypes, designing tools and working directly with field and industry experts.
- Passion in developing products that are both ergonomically functional and practical, solving more than the problem identified.
- Comfortable navigating different multitudes of tasks from product design, prototype testing, leading supplier discussions and product development cycles.
- You thrive in an unpredictable environment that requires patience, precision and high attention to detail.
Qualification/Experienced Required
- Completion of a university degree, or college diploma in product design engineering, industrial design, engineering technology or a related discipline is preferred
- 2-5 years experience in a product development environment, working within the full product development cycles, from ideation to design and final concept (tools & equipment goods preferred)
- Experience with leading or assisting in structure product testing, including early-stage testing, validation and creating prototype iterations based on initial testing feedback.
- Ability to work with industry experts to understand user pain-points and needs, ensuring that products are designed for functionality and quality.
- Understanding of manufacturing processes such as injection molding, stamping, forging, die-casting and CNC machining is an asset.
- Experience working directly with suppliers and manufacturers, domestic and overseas is an asset.
- Experience with hands-on prototype creation, including but not limited to 3D printing, machining or rigid and rapid prototyping is a plus.
- Exposure to packaging development, product specifications or print production is plus.
- Experience using Adobe Creative Studio, including Acrobat, In-Design, Adobe Illustration and Photoshop is a plus.
Working Conditions
- Comfortable working hands-on with products and moving around throughout the day, to and from the warehouse.
- Comfortable working behind a desk for up to 8-hours a day
- Comfortable working in a hybrid work capacity with dedicated in-office and work-from-home days
Rack-A-Tiers Mfg. provided the following inclusive hiring information:
We are an equal opportunity employer and consider all qualified applicants equally without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.
Please send your resume in a PDF or Word format.
Thank you for your interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Eligible Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Career Growth Opportunities
- Company events
- Dental care
- Discounted or free food
- Employee Assistance Program
- Extended Health Care
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
- Profit sharing
- Wellness program
- Vision care
Pay: $62,500.00-$75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Dental care
- Discounted or free food
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Profit sharing
- Vision care
- Wellness program
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Victoria, BC V8Z 1C1: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree (preferred)
Language:
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Victoria, BC V8Z 1C1
