Product Development Manager
About The Role:
JK Tools is a fast-growing, founder-led industrial supply company and the force behind trusted brands like Empire Abrasives. We serve tradespeople, manufacturers, and small businesses across the country with reliable abrasives, tools, and industrial essentials, delivered fast, supported well, and always built for the job.
We’re expanding fast and building with purpose.
Our Vision:
In the next 10 years, JK Tools will have America’s largest catalog of industrial supply brands for small businesses.
To get there, we’re building the right team, and right now, we’re hiring a Product Development Manager to help us bring new products to life.
About The Role:
This role is all about turning product strategy into reality. You’ll work directly with our Brand Strategist to expand the JK Tools catalog, hunting down new products, sourcing the best factories around the world, and managing every detail required to bring high-performing, well-branded products to market.
If you’re someone who loves the hunt, thrives on managing suppliers, and has a sharp eye for product viability, packaging, and compliance, this is your opportunity to lead, build, and own something meaningful.
What You’ll Do:
- Source & Develop New Products
- Search globally for factories that meet our quality, cost, and timeline expectations
- Negotiate MOQs, pricing, and delivery terms
- Identify gaps in our product offering and propose high-opportunity additions
- Coordinate factory audits and sampling when needed
- Manage Supplier Relationships & Product Setup
- Onboard new suppliers and factories with clear expectations and communication
- Review and assign GS1 barcodes and manage product labeling requirements
- Coordinate packaging details that align with brand guidelines
- Handle legal contracts and vendor documentation
- Launch Products Cross-Functionally
- Transfer finalized product info (dimensions, specs, imagery, etc.) to the eCommerce and marketing teams
- Schedule and manage product photography
- Ensure timelines are met and all deliverables are aligned across teams
- Analyze & Optimize
- Conduct competitive research and pricing analysis
- Track product performance post-launch to guide future product decisions
- Recommend adjustments, improvements, or discontinuations as needed
Who You Are:
- 3–5+ years of experience in product development, sourcing, or private label
- Experienced with global factory sourcing, especially finding new factories, not just managing existing ones
- Skilled at reading the fine print: pricing sheets, MOQs, lead times, packaging specs, barcoding systems
- Comfortable managing multiple product launches in parallel
- Strong communicator who can work across departments and time zones
- Bonus if you’ve worked in tools, industrial supplies, hardware, or safety-related products
Why Join Us?
You won’t be buried under red tape here. You’ll work directly with leadership and be trusted to own your lane. We move fast, support each other, and take pride in doing things right the first time. If you’re passionate about products, global sourcing, and building something meaningful, you’ll feel at home here.
Core Values:
- Own It – Take initiative and follow through
- Growth Mindset – Stay curious and always improve
- Problem Solver – Bring clarity and move things forward
- No Jerks – We work with respect and integrity
Equal Employment Opportunity
JK Tools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We’re committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and respectful environment for all team members. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status.
Apply Now