Director of Product Development & Innovation
Job title: Director of Product Development & Innovation in USA at Freebird
Company: Freebird
Job description: About FreebirdFreebird is on a mission to help people look and feel their best — starting with the smoothest, safest, easiest shave possible. We’ve built a 9-figure business through a powerful combination of direct-to-consumer, Amazon, and growing retail presence, driven by bold marketing, smart innovation, and relentless customer focus.Our flagship product — the FlexSeries — is a top-rated electric head shaver used by over one million customers. Now, we’re building the next generation of shaving tools and routines to raise the bar across quality, design, innovation, and IP.We’re a lean, scrappy, fast-moving team — and we’re looking for a product leader who can match that energy.About the RoleWe’re hiring a Director of Product Development & Innovation to lead the execution of our product roadmap — from concept to shelf.This is a foundational role and our first hire dedicated to product development. You’ll be responsible for bringing our product vision to life — working across engineering, design, packaging, and testing to launch exceptional electric shaving products and improvements that our customers love.You’ll lead and manage only a few high-impact product initiatives per year. You won’t be expected to do everything yourself — your role is to strategically lead, manage, and collaborate with best-in-class partners across industrial design, product engineering, and packaging to ensure every product we ship meets the highest bar of quality, performance, and compliance.You’ll work closely with the founders and cross-functional team to bring bold ideas to life — from innovative new shaving tools and attachments to subtle, high-impact improvements to our core product line.If successful, this role will grow into a senior leadership position, with the opportunity to build and lead a world-class product team as we continue to scale.What You’ll Do Product Development & Innovation
- Own the full lifecycle of product development — from idea to prototype to final production
- Lead execution of new devices, attachments, and accessories
- Scope and drive product improvements (e.g. motor performance, blade refinement, waterproofing, ergonomics)
- Collaborate with best-in-class engineers, industrial designers, and packaging experts to bring product ideas to life
- Work directly with manufacturers and partners to ensure performance, quality, and reliability at scale
- Run structured prototyping, sampling, and performance testing cycles
- Validate new products and improvements using real customer feedback, retention data, and product usage insights
- Build lightweight but effective testing and feedback loops with users, power customers, and internal teams
- Ensure every product meets safety, compliance, and international regulatory standards before launch
- Oversee the development of packaging, inserts, and presentation for both DTC and retail
- Manage external partners to develop dielines, structural packaging, and insert trays
- Ensure every unboxing experience is premium, practical, and on-brand
- Collaborate with Creative to align messaging, education, and product presentation
- Turn product vision into clearly scoped, validated, launch-ready initiatives
- Prioritize the highest-impact product improvements and innovations that drive retention, margin, and customer love
- Work closely with the CEO, COO, and functional leads to align development efforts with business goals
- Maintain confidence in every product you lead — from performance to packaging to post-launch experience
- 7–12+ years of experience in physical product development (DTC, grooming, personal care, hardware, or CPG)
- Proven track record shipping successful products — from idea to manufacturing to launch
- Experience working with and managing outside vendors, engineers, ID partners, and packaging teams
- Strong judgment and instincts on when to build in-house vs. bring in outside experts
- Exceptional at coordinating multiple moving parts, stakeholders, and timelines
- High standards for quality, performance, and customer experience
- Bonus: experience with waterproof electronics, electric grooming products, or modular hardware
- Over one million customers and a 9-figure business built on bold, customer-first products
- First product development hire — full ownership, high impact, and massive growth opportunity
- Build a world-class product function from the ground up
- Remote-friendly with flexibility, autonomy, and direct access to founders
- Competitive compensation, performance bonuses, and long-term incentives
- Fully Remote Flexibility: Work from wherever you thrive best
- Comprehensive Medical Benefits: Premium medical plans designed to support your health and wellness
- Competitive Compensation & Bonuses: A strong base salary + performance bonuses tied to impact
- 401(k) with Company Match: Helping you plan and save for the long-term
- Unlimited PTO: Take the time you need to recharge and show up at your best
- Opportunities for Growth: Elevate your career with the chance to scale into a senior leadership position
- Join Us on Our Journey: Be part of a brand that’s rewriting what innovation and product excellence look like in grooming and personal care