Director of Product Development

Luki Lab is a fast-growing and award-winning toy company . We create and market a number of successful brands of toys and games sold at retail and online across the United States. As part of Strottman International, Luki Lab is focused on creativity, design and innovation. We have an immediate need in this growing division for a Director of Product Development to work out of our Irvine (Orange County) office . The Director of Product Development is responsible for ensuring that all new toy products are developed on schedule, within budget, and at target margin, while supporting the creative and commercial goals of the brand. This role serves as the operational backbone of new product development, balancing creativity, manufacturing realities, and financial discipline. This position owns product development, timelines and cost frameworks across the product portfolio and acts as the primary integrator between design, sourcing, quality, marketing, and manufacturing partners. Key Responsibilities Product Development & Schedule Ownership Proven expertise in Design for Manufacturability (DFM), plastic injection tooling, tolerance management, and assembly line optimization for high-volume production. Strong track record of diagnosing and resolving mechanical fit, structural failures, and functional defects quickly from prototyping through TO/pilot runs. Own and manage the master development calendar for all new toy programs from concept through production and launch. Proactively addresses potential schedule issues. Ensure alignment with trade shows and retailer line reviews and launch commitments. Lead cross-functional reviews to assess progress, risks, and corrective actions. Own development budgets across R&D, tooling, testing, packaging, and compliance. Track forecast vs. actual costs and manage variance recovery plans. Partner with finance to margin targets. Drive cost-discipline decisions without compromising product integrity or brand standards. Cross-Functional Leadership Serve as the central point of coordination across – Design, Brand Marketing, Quality & Compliance and Sourcing & Operations. Resolve conflicts between creative ambition, technical feasibility, and cost/schedule realities. Establish clear escalation paths for missed milestones or budget risks. Communicate status, risks, and trade-offs clearly to senior leadership. Manufacturing & Supply Chain Integration Partner with sourcing and manufacturing teams to align design complexity with factory capability. Oversee tooling strategies, timelines, and iteration management. Manage inventory forecast and reorder lead time. Anticipate and manage development risks related to schedule, cost, quality, and compliance. Recommend cancellation or delay of programs when required. Data, Systems & Reporting Lead the use of project management and PLM systems to track progress and costs. Deliver concise, excel based executive-ready reporting and forecasts. Drive continuous improvement in development planning tools and processes. Qualifications & Experience TOY INDUSTRY EXPEREINCE A MUST! Bachelors in Engineering or similar and 12+ years of experience in product development, operations, or project management. Proven executive-level ownership of complex development portfolios with strict deadlines. Strong financial acumen with hands-on experience managing development budgets and cost models. Deep understanding of manufacturing, engineering, tooling, and global supply chains. Exceptional cross-functional leadership and executive communication skills. Ability to work on-site 5 days a week Leadership Profile Decisive, proactive, structured, and calm under deadline pressure. Comfortable delivering difficult messages early and clearly. Highly organized, detail-oriented, yet able to think strategically. Data-driven decision-maker with strong business judgment. Success Measures On-time launch performance across all new product lines. Development cost adherence and margin protection. Reduction in late-stage design changes and tooling rework. Improved visibility and predictability of development timelines. Strong cross-functional alignment and execution confidence. Salary Range Disclaimer The salary range provided for this position represents the anticipated base salary range at the time of posting. Actual compensation offered may vary based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, education, geographic location, market conditions, and business needs. While the full salary range reflects the potential compensation opportunity for the position, offers are expected to fall closer to the middle of the posted range rather than the top of the range. Compensation toward the upper end of the range is generally reserved for candidates who demonstrate exceptional qualifications, experience, skills, and/or sustained performance relative to the requirements of the position. The salary range does not include potential bonuses, benefits, or other forms of compensation, unless otherwise specified. The company reserves the right to modify the salary range or compensation structure based on business needs and applicable law. #J-18808-Ljbffr