PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER – Europe Watersports Buying Office / Sourcing Office / Brand Owner (TST)

Company Overview

• We are a well-established European consumer products business with a strong international presence and a proven track record in the design, development, sourcing, and distribution of quality watersports products.

• The company is known for bringing practical, market-driven, and commercially successful watersports products to retail markets through product innovation, strong supplier partnerships, and efficient project execution.

• Our product portfolio includes inflatable water leisure products, swimming aids, waterproof dry bags, watersports accessories, and other products designed for outdoor water activities.

• We work closely with overseas Buying, Design, and Product Development teams to bring new products from concept through to production and market launch.

• The business has established long-term relationships with trusted factory partners, mainly in China and other Asian markets.

• Our Hong Kong sourcing office plays an important role in product development, supplier coordination, sample follow-up, quality support, and production readiness.

Role Mission

• Translate watersports product concepts into technically sound, commercially viable, and production-ready products.

• Work closely with the Buying team at European headquarters and factory partners to achieve agreed quality, cost, functionality, and timeline objectives.

• Identify and resolve product development and manufacturing issues proactively to support successful product launches.

Role Summary

• Based in the Hong Kong sourcing office, you will manage watersports product development projects from concept approval through to production readiness.

• The role will work closely with the Buying team at European headquarters and serve as a key link between the European team, suppliers, and factories across China and Asia.

• Reporting to the General Manager of the Hong Kong office, the successful candidate will coordinate product specifications, samples, costings, testing, compliance, manufacturing feasibility, and launch preparation.

• The role requires hands-on experience in product development, technical problem-solving, factory communication, project coordination, and supplier management.

• The successful candidate will manage multiple projects and ensure market-ready watersports products are delivered within agreed quality, cost, and timeline requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage watersports product development projects from concept approval through to production readiness.

• Translate product concepts and design requirements into clear technical specifications for suppliers and factories.

• Work directly with factories and suppliers to develop products that meet agreed specifications, target costs, quality standards, and commercial objectives.

• Review product designs and prototypes for functionality, durability, safety, manufacturability, and cost effectiveness.

• Support the Buying team at European headquarters in sourcing new watersports products, evaluating factory capabilities, and identifying potential supplier opportunities.

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date product costings, quotations, bills of materials, and development information across the supplier base.

• Coordinate sample development, prototype reviews, product modifications, and improvements throughout the development process.

• Investigate product development and manufacturing issues, identify root causes, and coordinate corrective actions with factories.

• Challenge suppliers to improve product quality, functionality, packaging, manufacturing efficiency, and cost effectiveness.

• Review materials, components, tooling, production methods, and assembly processes to improve product performance and manufacturability.

• Manage development critical paths and ensure all project milestones are achieved on schedule.

• Coordinate product specifications, technical information, product data, development records, and other project documentation.

• Work closely with QA teams, testing laboratories, suppliers, and factories to support product testing, compliance, and certification requirements.

• Review test reports and follow up with suppliers on failed tests, product modifications, and corrective actions.

• Support compliance with applicable product safety standards, customer requirements, and internal quality expectations.

• Coordinate pre-production activities and ensure products are ready for mass production and shipment.

• Build strong relationships with key supplier partners and support long-term supplier capability and performance improvement.

• Attend factory visits, supplier meetings, product reviews, buying trips, and trade shows across China and Asia as required.

• Provide regular project updates to the Buying team, the General Manager, and relevant internal stakeholders.

• Manage multiple product development projects simultaneously in a fast-paced and deadline-driven environment.

Ideal Candidate

• Tertiary education in Mechanical Engineering, Product Design, Industrial Design, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related discipline is preferred.

• Experience in product development, product engineering, sourcing, merchandising, or manufacturing within the consumer products industry.

• Hands-on experience working directly with factories and suppliers in China or other Asian markets.

• Strong understanding of product development, engineering, sampling, materials, tooling, and manufacturing processes.

• Experience in watersports, outdoor leisure, sporting goods, toys, inflatables, or related consumer products is highly advantageous.

• Practical experience translating product concepts into technical specifications and production-ready products.

• Good commercial awareness, with the ability to balance cost, quality, functionality, manufacturability, and speed to market.

• Knowledge of product testing, safety, compliance, and certification processes is beneficial.

• Excellent project management, coordination, documentation, and organizational skills.

• Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills when working with suppliers and factories.

• Fluent written and spoken English is essential.

• Cantonese and/or Mandarin language skills are advantageous.

• Passionate about watersports products, product innovation, and bringing new ideas to market.

• Proactive, detail-oriented, curious, and able to manage multiple development projects simultaneously.

• Willing to travel occasionally to China and other Asian locations for factory visits, supplier meetings, buying trips, and trade shows.

Terms & Benefits

• 5-day work week.

• 13-month salary plus performance bonus.

• 16 days of annual leave.

• Medical and dental insurance.

• Occasional travel to China and other Asian locations for factory visits, supplier meetings, buying trips, and trade shows.

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JPC Recruiting Services was established in 1990 and is a Hong Kong–based recruitment firm providing general recruitment and executive search services.
JPC Recruiting Services 於 1990 年成立，是一家總部設於香港的專業招聘公司，提供招聘及獵頭服務。
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