New Product Development Specialist
Roseville, MN, US, 55113
asmodee is a global leader in tabletop games, committed to bringing people together through great games and amazing stories. Listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm, we are headquartered in France, and our team of more than 2,200 people work across the globe throughout our wholly owned creative studios, distribution businesses, and the functions that support them. We offer one of the world’s largest catalogs of tabletop games, featuring iconic titles like CATAN®, Ticket to Ride®, Dobble/Spot it!®, and Exploding Kittens®. With a blend of in-house creations and games from our partners, our portfolio spans hundreds of games across digital and physical platforms.
As an employer of choice, we champion inclusivity, growth, and recognition, fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued. Joining us means shaping unforgettable gaming experiences while contributing to a more sustainable, connected world.
Discover how our people, games, and sustainability initiatives are making an impact and shaping the future of tabletop gaming.
Join us in finding your seat at our game table!
Job Summary
The NPD Specialist plays a pivotal role in driving product development and production efficiency. The Specialist independently manages development and production within their assigned product range, leads supplier negotiations, and helps implement cross-functional improvement initiatives. Acting as a key partner to both internal studios and the main point of contact for external suppliers they ensure technical solutions align with organizational objectives and product strategies.
What will your role involve
Scheduling & Production Management
- Independently manage production timelines, ensuring adherence to internal KPIs and timely project completion.
- Collaborate with the studio and factory to optimize efficiency and quality.
- Proactively communicate progress, risks, and solutions with all stakeholders to drive projects to on-time completion.
Product Development & Studio Support
- Lead the development of projects from studio concept to finished goods, ensuring alignment with the studio’s vision, budget, and specifications.
- Serve as the primary technical contact for studios, addressing all technical questions and constraints with constructive discussions.
- Conduct regular reviews with studios to identify and prioritize improvement opportunities across playtypes and product ranges.
- Provide expertise on manufacturing materials and techniques (paper, cardboard, plastic, etc.), ensuring compliance with technical and budgetary requirements.
Supplier Relations & Strategic Negotiations
- Lead supplier meetings from start to finish, including setting objectives, managing agendas, and conducting reviews.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers in Asia, Europe, and North America leveraging knowledge of industrial constraints for each material and technology.
- Propose pricing and deadline targets for validation and engage in strategic negotiations with significant stakes to optimize cost and delivery timelines.
- Involve suppliers proactively in upcoming projects, fostering innovation and collaboration.
Order Management & Component Stock Monitoring
- Lead large-scale projects involving advanced coordination of order volumes, complexity, multi-sourcing, and production planning.
- Monitor component stock levels with precision, suggesting production anticipations and adjustments where relevant.
- Ensure accurate tracking and communication of iterations in product specifications and maintain an up-to-date production database.
Quality Control (QC)
- Define and uphold product quality expectations using detailed product specifications.
- Address QC incidents with suppliers, implementing actionable plans to resolve issues and prevent recurrence.
- Track and report QC KPIs to maintain transparency and drive continuous improvement.
Strategic Contributions
- Provide leadership in technical discussions, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the team.
What do you bring
Position Skills & Qualifications
- Preference for strong experience in plastic injection molding design and/or production.
- Preference for strong experience in printed consumer products or board/card games manufacturing.
- Proven ability to independently manage complex projects and productions.
- Strong technical knowledge of key industry components, including paper, cardboard, and plastic production as well as an understanding of associated industrial constraints.
- Negotiation skills with the ability to manage strategic supplier relationships and propose innovative solutions.
- Proficiency in coordinating multi-faceted projects involving complex planning and multi-sourcing.
- Ability to lead constructive discussions, challenge assumptions, and reach shared solutions with studios and stakeholders.
- Fluent in English, with excellent communication and organizational skills.
Knowledge & Experience Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
- 3 to 5 years of experience in product development, manufacturing, or project management.
- Expertise in plastic injection molding materials, manufacturing processes, and supplier management.
- Familiarity with lean manufacturing, continuous improvement methodologies, or PMP certification is a plus.
- Prior experience in the print or plastics manufacturing industry, particularly collectible trading card or plastic miniature production, is highly preferred.
- Knowledge of the gaming industry is a significant advantage.
Hesitant to apply because you don’t have all the experience or qualifications listed? Let us decide! The right candidate doesn’t always match up perfectly on paper. We believe that diverse perspectives and experiences bring fresh ideas and innovation to our team. If you’re passionate about this role and believe your unique background and skills could contribute to our mission, we’d love to hear from you!
Why join us
- 22 Days of PTO Annually
- 12 Paid Holidays
- Medical, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance
- Competitive 401K Match
- Paid Parental Leave
- Fertility & Family Building Benefits
- Legal & Identity Theft Support
- 2 Paid Volunteer Days Off
- Flexible & Hybrid Schedules
- Extensive Game Discounts
- $250 Annually in Game Bucks
- Career Growth & Development
- Mental Health Programs
- Virtual Healthcare Options
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee Referral Program
At asmodee, we care about the health and wellbeing of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare and 401(k) retirement plans, as well as generous paid time off and hybrid schedules to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide a competitive total rewards and compensation package, with several benefits listed below.
Actual compensation for this role is based on several factors, including but not limited to job-related skills, qualifications, experience, market conditions and specific work location. Base Salary Range: $70,000-$80,000.
Our Commitment:
asmodee’s purpose is Bringing People Together. To us that means all kinds of people, no matter their perceived differences.
We strive to create a workplace where everyone feels empowered to show up as their full and authentic selves. We seek to support our diverse community of players by creating representative gaming experiences that celebrate a variety of backgrounds, skills, and views. Diversity and Inclusion fuels our creativity and promotes internal and external equity which allows us to continue in our efforts to bring people together around the game table. Games are for everyone.
Nearest Major Market: Minneapolis