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Full-Time

Director of Product Development

Drinkware

Confirmed live in the last 24 hours

Fellow

Fellow

51-200 employees

Designs and sells premium coffee brewing equipment

Food & Agriculture
Consumer Goods

Compensation Overview

$180k - $200kAnnually

+ Employee Equity Plan

Senior, Expert

San Francisco, CA, USA

Category
Product Management
Product Strategy
Product
Required Skills
Sales
Communications
Branding/Brand Strategy
Marketing
Requirements
  • Bachelor’s Degree and at least 8+ years of product management, product development, engineering or related experience within consumer-centric global brands.
  • Product development experience working in various development models (JDM, ODM etc) and scaling productions to high volume
  • A passion for physical, lifestyle, or fashion products - not just the way they work but how they feel to the end-user
  • Deep understanding of customer journeys with a proven ability to transform customer needs into actionable product roadmaps and requirements
  • Excellent quantitative and analytical skills with the ability to use data to drive recommendations and actions
  • Experience in parallel development with the ability to launch many skus simultaneously
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to create compelling positioning/messaging strategies and present complex information clearly and concisely to help others understand the “What, Why, and How” of a feature
  • High attention to detail and proven ability to manage multiple, competing priorities simultaneously with minimal supervision in ambiguous environments
  • Passionate about translating needs between a wide audience of stakeholders and developing strong partnerships with partners, tech team, and operating at leadership levels.
Responsibilities
  • Ownership of the Drinkware & Analog product development, including prioritizing new product roadmap opportunities.
  • Lead and develop a team of program managers, industrial design and design engineers by providing guidance, coaching and support to drive product innovation and success.
  • Product Development: Prioritize and guide product development activities from prototypes to mass production. Partner with design, engineering and operations teams to ensure products meet quality, cost and timeline targets.
  • In close partnership with our sales team, evaluate new product candidates, prioritize internal prototype explorations, and work with our manufacturing partners to launch 10+ new SKUs each year.
  • Collaborate with the Quality team to establish and maintain quality standards for products, ensuring they meet or exceed customer expectations and comply with relevant regulations.
  • Collaborate with the Supply Chain and Operations teams on managing relationships with suppliers and manufacturers to ensure product quality, cost efficiency, and timely delivery.
  • Partner with the Category Management and Marketing teams to align brand strategy and product marketing, ensuring products and positioning are consistent with brand values and messaging.

Fellow Industries, Inc. designs and sells high-quality coffee brewing equipment and accessories, including electric kettles, coffee grinders, and travel mugs. Their products focus on aesthetics, functionality, and precision to enhance the coffee brewing experience for both individual enthusiasts and professional baristas. Fellow operates primarily through a direct-to-consumer model, selling products via their online store and flagship retail locations in San Francisco and Los Angeles. This approach allows them to maintain control over customer experience and build brand loyalty. Unlike many competitors, Fellow emphasizes innovative product design and customer feedback to continually improve their offerings. The company's goal is to provide top-tier coffee brewing tools that cater to the growing demand for premium coffee experiences.

Company Stage

Series B

Total Funding

$40.9M

Headquarters

San Francisco, California

Founded

2013

Growth & Insights
Headcount

6 month growth

2%

1 year growth

8%

2 year growth

41%
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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Fellow's recent $30 million Series B funding round provides significant capital for further innovation and expansion.
  • The company's partnerships with renowned coffee influencers and roasters, such as Square Mile Coffee Roasters and Morgan Drinks Coffee, enhance its brand visibility and credibility.
  • Being named to Fast Company's list of the World's Most Innovative Companies for 2023 underscores Fellow's commitment to continuous innovation and industry leadership.

What critics are saying

  • The specialty coffee equipment market is highly competitive, requiring Fellow to continuously innovate to maintain its edge.
  • Relying heavily on a direct-to-consumer model may limit market reach compared to competitors who utilize broader distribution channels.

What makes Fellow unique

  • Fellow's focus on high-quality, aesthetically pleasing coffee brewing equipment sets it apart in the specialty coffee market, where many competitors prioritize functionality over design.
  • The direct-to-consumer model allows Fellow to maintain control over the customer experience and build a strong brand presence, unlike competitors who rely heavily on third-party retailers.
  • Fellow's products have received numerous awards and accolades, including recognition from Oprah's Favorite Things and the Specialty Coffee Association, highlighting their industry-leading innovation and quality.