Associate, Product Development (Retail)

Associate, Product Development (Retail)

$90,000–$100,000 + Bonus & Benefits

Hybrid | Oakville, ON (3 days in-office)

Reporting to: President of Global Sales (dotted line to Chief Innovation Officer)

This Role Is For You If…

You’ve built a solid foundation inside large retail — on the vendor side or the buying side — and you’re ready to step into product development as the next phase of your career.

You may currently be working as a:

• Sales Analyst, Account Coordinator, Merchandising Coordinator
• Purchasing or Inventory Analyst
• Buyer, Assistant Buyer, or Merchandising professional at a major retailer

You understand how products are evaluated, costed, ranged, and sold — but you’re ready to move closer to the product itself. You may even feel a bit held back and looking for a role that offers real career progression, not just more responsibility in the same lane.

This is not a senior Product Development Manager role.

It is a hands-on, high-exposure opportunity to grow into one.

This role is not a fit if You are…

• Already operating as a senior Product Development Manager and looking to step into a leadership-only role
• Seeking a position with direct reports or full ownership of a product portfolio on day one
• Looking for a purely strategic role without hands-on execution
• New to large-scale retail and still learning how major retailers operate

About Neatfreak

Neatfreak is a privately owned Canadian company headquartered in Oakville, Ontario. With over 30 years of experience, we design, manufacture, and distribute innovative storage and organization products that combine smart functionality with thoughtful design.

Our products are sold globally through leading retail partners including Canadian Tire, Walmart, Costco, Home Depot, Loblaws, Home Hardware, London Drugs, Giant Tiger, and major U.S. mass, DIY, and discount retailers.

What You’ll Learn & Own

In this role, you’ll be developed to manage the full lifecycle of retail product development — from early concept through to retail launch.

Product Strategy & Planning

• Support and execute product development plans in collaboration with the Business Unit Manager (BUM) and Chief Innovation Officer
• Conduct market and competitive research across assigned retail channels
• Identify market gaps and translate consumer insights into viable product concepts
• Collaborate with innovation and product design teams

Product Development & Engineering

• Coordinate product development activities from concept through launch
• Support Asian sourcing initiatives and work closely with Neatfreak’s innovation and design team in Lyon, France
• Partner with the Head Engineer on specifications, prototyping, and performance testing
• Lead ongoing communication with manufacturing partners

Packaging, Marketing & Sales Support

• Collaborate with Packaging and Marketing on packaging concepts, dielines, merchandising solutions, and artwork
• Support Sales and Marketing with product presentations and sample coordination

Systems, Data & Administration

• Create and manage SKU setup in the PLM system
• Maintain accurate product data throughout the development lifecycle

Vendor & Retailer Engagement

• Participate in meetings with factories and vendors in North America and Asia
• Support buyer meetings and retailer presentations alongside Sales and the BUM

What We’re Looking For

• Education: Bachelor’s degree
• This role requires prior experience (5-7 years) working within or directly with large North American retailers.

Candidates without exposure to major retail environments (vendor-side or buying-side) are unlikely to find this role a fit.

• This role is ideal for someone who is ready to stretch — to learn, to be coached, and to grow into greater responsibility over time.
• If you’re looking for a role where you already “know it all,” this likely won’t be the right environment.
• Strong curiosity, learning agility, and desire to grow into product leadership
• Commercial mindset — you understand what sells and why
• Organized, proactive, and comfortable managing complexity
• Confident communicator

Career Path

This role is designed with growth in mind. Future paths may include:

• Product Development Manager (Senior Level)
• Sales Account Management
• Business Unit Management with P&L responsibility

Everyone at Neatfreak is hired with a long-term career path in mind.

Interview Process

• In-person interviews
• Guidance and support throughout the process
• Employment references required