New Product Development Manager

If you love moving fast, building products people actually want, and seeing your work scale globally - keep reading. This brand is looking for a New Product Development Manager who’ll be at the front lines of innovation: spotting opportunities, validating ideas, and turning them into products trusted by millions worldwide. This is a hands-on, high-impact role and is designed for someone who thrives at the intersection of design, sourcing, and strategy.

WHO THEY ARE

Since launching with a $1M+ Kickstarter campaign, they’ve grown into the #1 smart wallet brand in the world. With the launch of their travel gear line, the brand is becoming the go-to choice for everyday carry and travel essentials, designed for movement, powered by innovation, and trusted by icons.

Ambassadors like Lionel Messi, Steven Bartlett, and Andrew Schulz are among the millions who trust Ekster for smarter ways to move through the world.

But what truly sets them apart is their culture:

Unconventional & curious – They challenge assumptions and do things differently.

Global & purpose-driven – With sustainability at their core, they aim to leave the biggest impact on how you move through the world, with the smallest impact on the planet.

Playful yet precise – Think startup energy meets design precision. They move fast, iterate often, and hold the bar high.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU

• Ownership from day one: Lead the development of new products outside the brand’s core range
• Speed meets structure: Cut development cycles from 12 months to 4
• Flexible work culture: Work remotely with quarterly team meetups in Amsterdam
• 25 paid vacation days: To relax, recharge, and stay sharp
• Sustainable perks: Monthly carbon offset through Regreener
• Cross-functional collaboration: Work directly with the founder, product, and design teams

WHAT YOU’RE GETTING INTO

• Build and maintain a pipeline of validated product opportunities based on research, trends, and customer insight
• Validate product-market fit early through structured, insight-led testing methods
• Work closely with sourcing agents and suppliers to gather quotes, lead times, and samples
• Collaborate with internal designers to develop packaging, visuals, and assets
• Own the Product Definition Doc – including use cases, costs, margin goals, sourcing info, timeline, and launch strategy
• Run weekly sprints to ensure fast, structured product development
• Find and vet new suppliers to support speed, flexibility, and product diversification
• Align product development closely with growth, creative, and marketing functions to support go-to-market success

WHO YOU ARE

• 2–4 years of experience in product development, supply chain, sourcing, or operations (DTC/eCommerce preferred)
• Proven experience working with suppliers and sourcing agents - especially across Asia
• Commercially savvy: You understand what sells and how to get it to market fast
• Organized, structured, and resourceful - you keep projects moving with minimal oversight
• Excellent communicator who thrives in lean, fast-paced teams
• Bonus: Background in marketing, paid media, or creative - you understand product-market fit and positioning

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE30 Days: You’ve audited the current NPD process, kicked off supplier conversations, and identified 2–3 high-potential product ideas.

60 Days: You’ve validated 1–2 SKUs, secured samples, and created clear briefs with sourcing, cost, and GTM details.

90 Days: You’ve launched your first product and have a structured pipeline of 3–5 new SKUs in motion, all tracked through weekly sprints.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

1. Intro call – to get aligned on the fit and expectations
2. Interview with the founder – deep dive into product thinking and execution
3. Case task – showcase your approach to product research, validation, and sourcing
4. Final interview – review your task and align on next steps