Product Development Director - Toy Industry

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• Toy Industry Point Pleasant, NJ FreelanceHybrid$60
• $75 /hr Posted May 18, 2026 Our client, a Toy manufacturer is currently seeking a Product Development Director to join their team Freelance to Fulltime.

This will be a 40 hour per week assignment with the potential to convert to a fulltime employee within 2-3 months. You will be required in the NJ office 2-3 times per week. This role owns the end-to-end product development lifecycle and creative execution across a portfolio of toys, accessories, and stationery. Acting as the single point of accountability, this leader translates approved business strategy into manufacturable, compliant, and commercially viable products. Operating at a senior level, the role ensures all products are delivered to defined standards of quality, safety, cost, timing, and readiness, enabling confident go-to-market execution while protecting delivery integrity. Key Responsibilities Product Development & Creative Execution

• Lead the full product development lifecycle from concept approval through production handoff.
• Translate business strategy, portfolio priorities, and licensing requirements into clear, executable product definitions.
• Define and manage all product specifications, including materials, construction, packaging, safety, and compliance standards.
• Partner with creative and design teams to ensure concepts balance innovation, brand alignment, cost, and manufacturability.
• Ensure all products meet applicable regulatory, safety, and quality standards, particularly within the toy and consumer product landscape. Portfolio & Delivery Management
• Drive development in alignment with the approved product roadmap and business priorities.
• Prioritize projects based on strategic importance, capacity, and market timing.
• Maintain oversight of timelines, milestones, and dependencies to ensure on-time delivery.
• Proactively identify and communicate risks related to feasibility, timing, or resources.
• Ensure development plans align with commercial goals and margin targets. Cost & Supplier Management
• Own development-stage cost accuracy and adherence to margin expectations.
• Lead supplier and factory engagement, including pricing, tooling, and cost optimization.
• Evaluate cost assumptions and ensure financial feasibility prior to external commitments.
• Partner with supply chain and operations to ensure smooth industrialization and production readiness. Stage Gate & Process Discipline
• Enforce structured progression through all development phases, from concept to production readiness.
• Ensure products meet defined criteria before advancing to the next stage.
• Maintain accurate product and cost data within designated systems.
• Champion disciplined processes to ensure consistency, transparency, and control. Risk Management
• Identify and manage risks related to delivery timelines, cost, compliance, and supplier capacity.
• Escalate critical risks with clear recommendations and impact assessments.
• Safeguard against overcommitment by ensuring realistic and executable plans Cross-Functional Leadership
• Serve as the bridge between commercial strategy and execution.
• Collaborate closely with Sales, Marketing, Licensing, Compliance, and Operations to ensure alignment.
• Provide clarity on delivery timelines and feasibility to support go-to-market planning.
• Ensure all stakeholders are aligned throughout the development lifecycle. Team Leadership
• Lead and develop a high-performing team through coaching, feedback, and performance management.
• Oversee workload planning, hiring, onboarding, and team engagement.
• Set clear objectives and foster a collaborative, accountable team culture.
• Drive continuous improvement aligned with broader business goals. Additional Responsibilities
• Act as the senior internal and external point of accountability for product development.
• Support leadership reporting and business updates as needed.
• Contribute to broader strategic initiatives aligned with the scope of the role.

In this position, you may have access to client or customer systems, confidential and/or proprietary information or data. This position is onsite and requires you to work closely with other individuals in a collaborative team environment. Benefits Creative Circle's Freelance Employee benefits package includes eligibility for Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) medical plan, dental/vision/term life package, discount prescription program, critical illness, accident, tele-behavioral health, and 401(k) plan. Sick leave is provided to Candidates whose assignment work location is in a state or city subject to sick leave laws. A Minimum Value (MV) PPO medical plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and paid holiday eligibility are based on length and dates of service. For Everforth Creative Circle to represent you for this opportunity, you must be currently authorized to work in the United States without the need of employer sponsorship for a non-immigrant visa such as a H-1B, TN, or O visa. We do not support or provide training for

STEM/OPT

programs. Additionally, you must be physically located in and perform the work for our client in the United States. Lauren Calabrese is recruiting for this position Email me your resume to apply for this job Refer a Friend This job was posted on May 18, 2026 and last updated on May 18, 2026. EEO Employer Everforth Creative Circle is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Our hiring process includes AI screening for keywords and minimum qualifications. Recruiters review all results. Everforth Creative Circle will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local law, including but not limited to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the California Fair Chance Act. If you need a reasonable accommodation in the application process, please contact your Recruiter (the person you'll be interviewing with) or a member of our Human Resources team to make arrangements.

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Cross Blue Shield creates and publishes the Transparency in Coverage Machine-Readable Files on behalf of Everforth Creative Circle. About Everforth Creative Circle Everforth Creative Circle matches creative and marketing professionals with hiring managers looking for talent. The above listing is for a position with one of our clients. If you're a good fit for this role or another we're currently working on, a recruiter will reach out to you directly. We only contact the applicants who are the best fit for the position, so if you do not hear back, please take a look at the other roles we have available. Thank you for your interest!

Job ID:

LC9-1987279

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Privacy PolicyAccessibilityTerms of Use Copyright © 2026 Everforth, Inc. All rights reserved. Everforth Creative Circle is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Our hiring process includes AI screening for keywords and minimum qualifications. Recruiters review all results. Everforth Creative Circle will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local law, including but not limited to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the California Fair Chance Act. If you need a reasonable accommodation in the application process, please contact your Recruiter (the person you'll be interviewing with) or a member of our Human Resources team to make arrangements.

Anthem / Blue

Cross Blue Shield creates and publishes the Transparency in Coverage Machine-Readable Files on behalf of Everforth Creative Circle.