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Director of Product Development & Innovation

About Freebird

Freebird 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 Role

We’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

🧪 Testing, Validation & Feedback

  • 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

📦 Packaging, Inserts & Unboxing

  • 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

🧠 Strategic Execution

  • 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

Why Join Freebird?

  • 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

Benefits

  • 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

Ready to Apply?

If you're passionate about building world-class physical products, leading lean and high-performing teams, and turning ideas into something customers love — we'd love to hear from you.

Apply now with your resume and, if available, examples of physical products you’ve helped bring to life.

Average salary estimate

$135000 / YEARLY (est.)
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$120000K
$150000K

If an employer mentions a salary or salary range on their job, we display it as an "Employer Estimate". If a job has no salary data, Rise displays an estimate if available.

What You Should Know About Director of Product Development & Innovation, Freebird

At Freebird, we are on a mission to revolutionize the grooming experience by ensuring people look and feel their best with the smoothest, safest, easiest shave possible. As the Director of Product Development & Innovation, you will play a key role in this mission, overseeing the product lifecycle from conception through to launch. As our first dedicated product development hire, you'll have the unique opportunity to work closely with the founders and lead high-impact initiatives within a lean, agile team setting. Your expertise will be crucial in managing the collaboration across various teams—including engineering, design, and external partners—to ensure our electric shaving products not only meet but exceed customer expectations. You’ll have the autonomy to own the discovery and development of innovative new tools and product improvements while also ensuring that every product adheres to our high standards for quality and performance. Your role will involve overseeing everything from testing and validation based on real customer feedback to crafting a premium unboxing experience. This position isn’t just about products; it’s about shaping the future of grooming with bold ideas and strategic execution. If you’re ready to bring your passion for product innovation to Freebird, you’ll find a world of opportunities waiting to be explored as we continue to scale and redefine the industry.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Director of Product Development & Innovation Role at Freebird
What responsibilities does the Director of Product Development & Innovation have at Freebird?

The Director of Product Development & Innovation at Freebird is tasked with overseeing the complete product development lifecycle. This encompasses everything from idea generation to prototyping and final production. Leading multiple high-impact product initiatives, the director collaborates with engineers, design teams, and manufacturers to ensure each product meets the highest standards in quality, performance, and user experience.

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What qualifications are required for the Director of Product Development & Innovation position at Freebird?

Candidates for the Director of Product Development & Innovation role at Freebird should possess 7-12+ years of experience in physical product development, particularly in DTC grooming, personal care, hardware, or consumer packaged goods (CPG). A proven track record of successfully launching products from concept to the market is essential, alongside experience in managing external vendors and cross-functional teams.

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How does Freebird support product testing and validation for new products?

Freebird emphasizes the importance of structured prototyping, sampling, and performance testing cycles in the role of Director of Product Development & Innovation. This approach aims to validate new products through real customer feedback and retention data, allowing the director to build effective testing loops that ensure each product complies with safety and international regulatory standards before launch.

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What is the growth potential for the Director of Product Development & Innovation at Freebird?

The Director of Product Development & Innovation position at Freebird boasts significant growth potential. As the first dedicated hire in this role, you’ll have the opportunity to lay the groundwork for the product function and build a world-class product team as the company continues to scale. Success in this position could lead to advanced senior leadership roles within the organization.

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What benefits does Freebird offer to the Director of Product Development & Innovation?

Freebird offers an attractive benefits package for the Director of Product Development & Innovation, including fully remote work flexibility, comprehensive medical benefits, competitive compensation with performance bonuses, a 401(k) plan with company match, unlimited PTO, and substantial opportunities for career growth. These benefits are designed to support you while you innovate and contribute to the company’s vision.

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Common Interview Questions for Director of Product Development & Innovation
Can you describe your experience with managing product development teams?

When answering this question, share specific examples of how you have led product development teams in previous roles. Focus on your ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders and timelines while ensuring the highest quality standards. It’s important to highlight any particular successes you experienced and how you overcame challenges.

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What strategies do you employ for product testing and validation?

In response, outline your approach to structuring testing cycles, gathering user feedback, and analyzing performance data. Emphasize the importance of validating products through customer insights and how this information guides further development and improvements.

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How do you prioritize product features when developing a new device?

Discuss your method for evaluating and prioritizing product features, taking into account customer needs, market trends, and overall project goals. Provide examples of how you’ve made tough decisions in the past and the criteria you used to ensure the right features are prioritized.

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What’s your approach to collaborating with engineers and designers?

Describe your collaborative approach, ensuring to highlight the importance of teamwork and communication. Provide examples of past successful partnerships with engineers and designers that led to innovative product outcomes, demonstrating your ability to facilitate collaboration effectively.

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How do you ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards?

In your answer, detail the steps you take to stay informed about safety and compliance standards in your industry. Discuss how you integrate these considerations into the product development process to avoid setbacks and ensure a smooth launch.

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Can you provide an example of a product you’ve launched from concept to shelf?

Share a detailed account of a specific product you developed, highlighting each stage of the process from ideation through to launch. Discuss the challenges you faced and how you navigated them, as well as the outcomes of the product's market reception.

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What tools or methodologies do you use for project management?

Highlight your preferred project management tools and frameworks, be it Agile, Scrum, or others. Discuss how these have enabled you to keep projects on track, foster team coordination, and achieve your project goals efficiently.

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How do you assess customer feedback for product improvements?

Explain how you collect and analyze customer feedback, detailing the methods you use to transform insights into actionable product improvements. Provide examples of how customer feedback has directly influenced product iterations you’ve been involved with.

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What do you believe is essential in creating an exceptional unboxing experience?

Discuss the key elements that contribute to a memorable unboxing experience, such as packaging design, messaging, and product presentation. Stress the importance of creating a positive first impression and how it affects customer satisfaction and retention.

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How do you keep up with industry trends and competitor products?

Describe your approach to staying updated on industry trends, including any resources, networks, or methods you use. Talk about how being informed about competitors influences your product development strategies and innovation upfront.

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DATE POSTED
April 2, 2025

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