Senior Custom Product Solutions Specialist

About hand2mind:

For more than 60 years, hand2mind has inspired learning through play by creating hands‑on, classroom‑tested materials that help children learn by doing. We’re a growing, family-owned company recognized as a Chicago Tribune Top Workplace and trusted by teachers and families alike. We create a wide range of educational products - classroom tools like Hands-on Standards®, consumer products for NumberBlocks®, and innovative items like our new BubblePlush™ Yoga Balls. If you’re curious, collaborative, and a kid at heart, you’ll feel right at home here. Join us in shaping the future of learning with our award-winning team!

Team & Position Description:

We are seeking a Senior Custom Product Solutions Specialist to support the development of custom products within our Publisher Services Group. In this role, you will partner closely with Publisher Business Development and Product Development teams to create solutions tailored to B2B customers' specifications and brand standards. You will manage custom product development from sourcing and prototyping through costing, pricing, and item setup, using established product development processes. By building strong relationships with our Publisher Services team, our network of suppliers, and key B2B customers, you will ensure projects are delivered accurately and on time, in line with customer requirements and business objectives.

What you’ll do day to day:

• Collaborate with h2m business development team and B2B customers to develop new custom products (non-kit finished goods and packaging solutions tailored to customers’ specifications and brand standards.
• Correlate clients’ product specifications to hand2mind’s existing product offerings and cost product modifications and customer packaging requirements for final customer quote.
• Assist hand2mind sales management to price client RFPs in accordance with company’s profit goals.
• Evaluate vendor product prototypes and samples to ensure quality standards and design accuracy meet customer specifications.
• Project Manage the product development process through every stage of the business development opportunity pipeline from discovery to close and ensure key milestones and product delivery dates are met.
• Collaborate with the print coordinator and print buyer to develop detailed specifications for print components used in finished goods sourcing.
• Coordinate with hand2mind’s quality and compliance team to ensure kit components and package labeling meet applicable governmental safety standards and clients’ performance standards.
• Assist with Curriculum Kit Development during peak periods of curriculum development and curriculum kit revisions.

What we’re looking for (Key Performance Objectives):

• Within 30 days, learn the Publisher custom product quote-to-order workflow and costing model. Develop at least 3 factory quotes with support from the Publisher team, with all pricing reviewed before release.
• Within 60 days, develop at least 5 custom product quotes with spot-check review. Deliver quotes within 10 business days of receiving complete specifications on at least 90% of requests. Support the set-up of at least 3 new items in D365. Evaluate vendor prototypes and samples using a documented spec checklist.
• Within 90 days, develop custom product quotes independently. Support Business Development in pricing at least 1 client RFP, with pricing at or above profit goals. Lead the set-up of at least 5 new items in D365.
• Within 6 months, lead pricing and quote development for new custom product opportunities. Deliver quotes within 7 business days on at least 90% of requests. Reach first-pass approval on at least 80% of prototypes and samples.
• Within 1 year, take full ownership of the pricing and custom product development process, from quote through costing, prototyping and item set-up, with manager review by exception only. Deliver quotes within 5–7 business days on at least 90% of requests. Reach first-pass approval on at least 90% of prototypes and samples.

Requirements/Preferences:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant work experience
• Minimum 5 years of product management experience including sourcing, costing, pricing, and product management activities required to bring a product request from design to finished product.
• Experience in sourcing with overseas supplier networks in the areas of injection molding, print, and packaging preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple customer quote projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
• Intermediate skill level working with MS Excel with proficiency in writing Xlookup/Vlookup statements and working with Pivot Tables
• Experience working with project management and/or workflow software such as Monday.com, Trello, MS Planner, and Basecamp.
• Experience documenting and administering process workflows
• Intermediate or advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or Google applications

We are a drug-free workplace and an EEO employer. Please note: This role will be filled by our internal recruitment team, so no assistance is needed from any outside staffing agency at this time. Compensation Range: $90,000 – $100,000 annual salary – Actual compensation may vary due to other factors such as: years of experience, skill set and location. Total compensation includes profit sharing bonus potential, 401k matching, and a variety of other benefits (details can be found here). #hand2mind