Head of Product Development – Innovation

KittySpout

. Build and own the product roadmap for both brands, including roughly one main launch per quarter plus consumables, accessories and upgrades .

Posted 11/3/2026contractShenzhen • ChinaLead💰 $135,000 - $175,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in end-to-end product development, including industrial design, engineering, and mass production, while effectively managing teams and negotiating with factories. Proficient in turning customer insights into innovative product solutions and maintaining quality standards throughout the production process.

Highest-signal resume keywords

End-To-End Product DevelopmentFactory Negotiation in MandarinPatent Filing in China and the USConsumer Hardware ExperienceTeam Management and Leadership

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Industrial DesignEngineeringPrototypingFirmware DevelopmentCost ManagementQuality AssuranceProduct Roadmap DevelopmentSOP DocumentationMarket AnalysisProduct Launch

Soft Skills

Cultural FitCollaborationProblem-SolvingAdaptabilityCommunication

Tools & Technologies

Connected DevicesDesign SoftwareTesting EquipmentManufacturing ToolsProject Management Software

Industry Keywords

Consumer HardwarePet ProductsElectronicsMass ProductionProduct Team ManagementChinese FactoriesNNNsIP AssignmentsToolingSmall Appliances

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Build and own the product roadmap for both brands, including roughly one main launch per quarter plus consumables, accessories and upgrades
Turn customer reviews, support tickets, return reasons and competitor products into product ideas and signed-off briefs
Own new products end to end from customer problem through industrial design, engineering, prototypes, patents, factories, cost, quality and mass production
Hire and manage contract industrial designers, engineers and design studios in Shenzhen
Move products through concept, industrial design, engineering, prototype, EVT/DVT/PVT and mass production stage gates
Test prototypes with real cats and dogs and own firmware and the companion app for connected products
File patents in China and the US and protect designs with NNNs, IP assignments and mold ownership
Find, vet and manage Pearl River Delta factories; negotiate unit cost, MOQ, tooling and lead time
Hold landed cost and margin to the approved brief
Set quality standards, obtain required certifications, and complete testing and inspection before mass production
Hand products over ready to launch and resolve defects and returns with factories for 90 days after launch
Build the product function through documented processes, SOPs, weekly product updates and future hiring plans
Agree quarterly roadmaps and monthly Rocks with the CEO
Work closely with the founder to create market-leading pet products and scale the company

Requirements

What you’ll need

Based in Shenzhen, Dongguan or Hong Kong, and able to visit factories, design agencies and studios in person every week
Fluent in English and Mandarin
6–8+ years building physical products end to end, with several products taken from idea through mass production and launch
Experience ideally in consumer hardware with electronics
Already built and run a product team covering design, engineering, patents and factories, including contractors and studios
Experience finding, vetting and running Chinese factories, and negotiating price, MOQ, tooling and quality in Mandarin
Filed patents in China and/or the US, with knowledge of NNNs, IP assignments and mold ownership
Ability to design to a target landed cost and margin and hold it through tooling and production
Understanding of mechanical, electrical and firmware trade-offs sufficient to lead engineers and identify problems early
Ability to turn reviews, returns and pet behaviour into desirable products
No issue working overtime or on weekends if needed
Excellent cultural fit with the company's stated values
Excited to work closely with the founder and help scale the company
Bonus: experience with pet products, small appliances or app-connected devices shipped end to end

Benefits

Comp & perks

Up to 20% of base in milestone bonuses tied to stage gates hit on time, landed cost on target, defect and return rates, and patents filed
Contractor role with invoicing through the candidate's own Hong Kong company