Product Development Assistant

Company Description

At Lakeshore, we create innovative learning materials and world-class guest experiences for teachers, parents and children. Since 1954, we’ve grown into a global community—with a thriving e-commerce business, multiple catalogs, 60+ retail stores, a peerless national sales force, plus international offices that support our preeminent supply chain division. But today we’re working better, smarter and faster than ever—and setting our sights even higher. We’re building an infrastructure designed for scalability, embracing data-driven decision-making and using technology to improve efficiency and ensure the best tools for the best work. Most importantly, we continue to invest in a diverse team of inquisitive top talent who fuel each other’s passions and curiosity, take risks, try new things, and believe that every new day brings opportunities for growth.

Job Description

We are currently searching for a Product Development Assistant who’s passionate about early childhood/elementary education to join our Research, Design and Development team. As we continue to scale, our development team is busier than ever, and our developers could use your support during all stages of product creation—from conducting research and brainstorming ideas to conducting real-world product testing. The successful candidate will have excellent collaboration skills, strong organizational and project management skills, and a great eye for detail to ensure the delivery of outstanding products and play experiences. This role offers lots of hands-on experience with the product development cycle and cross-functional business processes—with plenty of potential for future growth. 

This role will be onsite full time. 
A day at Lakeshore looks like this: 

• Conducting market and education research to support our product developers
• Participating in product brainstorming sessions
• Creating product mock-ups and PowerPoints for product presentations
• Performing the initial evaluations of product samples, and creating inspection sheets,
• Observing and documenting real-world testing with children in our on-site preschool
• Partnering with the Art and Editorial teams to create content for product guides, packaging and other components
• Ensuring the timely communication of product information, such as final product names, to cross-functional teams
• Providing developer support with cleanability and testing

Qualifications

Got the skills and experience? Here’s what we’re looking for: 

• 1+ years of education experience in an early childhood or elementary setting
• Bachelor’s degree in Education strongly desired 
• Familiarity with education standards, children’s developmental skills and milestones, and current education trends 
• Ability to thrive in a fun, fast-paced and deadline-driven environment
• Ability to proactively manage multiple projects simultaneously 
• Excellent attention to detail 
• Knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint 
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills 
• A strong desire to learn and grow 

Additional Information

And here’s our end of the bargain! 

• Hourly: $25-$29 with an annual bonus of up to 10%
• Paid leave for new parents to support work/life balance and family bonding
• Excellent medical/dental and vision coverage—EPO, PPO and HSA
• 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution (because you will retire someday)
• Flexible benefits—choose what you like, ignore the rest
• On-site preschool for our employees’ children
• On-site employee gym for all levels/fitness needs
• Generous employee discount
• Casual dress…and we really mean it

At Lakeshore, we know our diversity makes us stronger, and when everyone feels included and valued, we all win. We strive to embrace our differences and create an intentionally diverse and inclusive community that is representative of the teachers, families and children we serve.

We know we couldn’t do the extraordinary things we’re doing without the people on our team. Thanks to the passion and enthusiasm of this spectacular group, Lakeshore is more than a great place to work—it’s a great experience to be part of. Day in and day out, we give everything we’ve got to create products that instill a sense of wonder and foster a true love of learning. To help maintain this high bar for success, we’re constantly on the lookout for people to join us. So if you’re a down-to-earth professional who shares our desire for making a difference, we’d love to hear from you. 
To learn more about Lakeshore, visit www.lakeshorelearning.com/careers 
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
People are selected to become members of the Lakeshore family based on skill, merit and mind-boggling talent—not based on race, color, creed, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, marital status, domestic partnership status, military status, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, alienage, AIDS or AIDS-related complex status, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, status as a victim of domestic violence, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If things aren’t equal, we all lose.

To learn about how we collect and use Applicant information, please visit our Employee/Applicant Privacy Policy. INDRLL10