Director - Product and Innovation - Contract

Who We Are

Canada Pooch is one of the fastest growing pet companies in North America. We design premium pet apparel and accessories that focus on style and quality, and we're on a mission to enhance the lives of pets and their people through world-class innovation. Canada Pooch is based in Toronto, with remote team members across Canada and the US.

We believe that pet products should be held to the same standard as "human" products because pets are our family. At Canada Pooch, we design products that our customers (and their pooches) can depend on every day. Whether it is helping to keep them warm and dry on walks or cozy at home, pet parents deserve products that work.

The Role

We are seeking a visionary Director of Product & Innovation for a 12-month temporary contract to cover maternity leave. In this role, you will shape and execute our product vision and strategy. Reporting directly to the President, you will play a pivotal role in driving our company's growth and innovation. As a key member of the leadership team, you will influence the company's overall direction while leading and mentoring a talented product team to foster a culture of excellence.

• Anticipated to start in November, 2024
• Hybrid role with 1 day/week mandated in Toronto office

Product Development Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Provide strategic direction and oversight of the product roadmap, ensuring alignment with company goals, market trends, and future opportunities.
• Team Leadership: Lead and mentor a high-performing product team, fostering a collaborative, innovative, and customer-focused culture.
• Market Research and Analysis: Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify new product opportunities and enhance existing offerings.
• Product Definition: Define product requirements and roadmaps, considering feasibility, effort, and strategic value.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ensure alignment across Marketing, Sales, Production, and Design teams on product strategy, category expansion, and market positioning.
• Product Launches: Drive product launches by developing go-to-market strategies, positioning, and messaging in collaboration with marketing and sales teams.
• Performance Monitoring: Monitor product performance through user testing and data analysis, using insights to inform product enhancements and improvements.
• Development Checkpoints: Lead weekly development checkpoint meetings with cross-functional teams to ensure programs are on track, barriers are addressed, and milestones are met.
  
  

Intellectual Property (IP) Strategy Responsibilities

• IP Strategy Development: Define and execute IP strategies that support business objectives, competitive positioning, and technology commercialization.
• IP Portfolio Management: Develop, oversee, and strategically manage the company's IP portfolio to ensure it aligns with business goals and innovation strategies.
• Development Activity Monitoring: Track and monitor product development activities to ensure alignment with IP strategy, while capturing and reporting relevant financial data for budgetary management.
• Patent Strategy and Filing: Collaborate with external legal counsel to identify, draft, and file patent applications, ensuring robust protection of novel technologies and ideas.
• Risk Management: Assess and mitigate IP risks and challenges, providing strategic advice on IP-related issues and disputes.
• Stakeholder Communication: Communicate IP strategy and portfolio status to senior leadership, providing insights and recommendations for leveraging IP assets.

What You Bring

• Experience: Minimum 15 years of experience in product development within the fashion or hard goods sectors
• Product Innovation: Proven track record of success in building and launching innovative products.
• Leadership and Execution: Ability to lead strategic product transformation and roadmap visioning while being hands-on in day-to-day activities.
• Communication and Collaboration: Excellent leadership, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence and drive consensus across diverse teams.
• Strategic Thinking: Strong ability to think strategically and translate market needs into actionable product requirements.
• Data-Driven: Proficient in data-driven decision-making, with strong analytical skills to interpret product performance metrics and inform product enhancements.
• Design Thinking: Solid understanding of design thinking methodologies to support innovation and user-centered design.
• Growth Environment: Experience in a high-growth startup or scale-up environment is preferred.

We Offer

• Competitive salary and generous Paid Time Off
• Company-paid benefits from Day One
• Company discounts and wellness stipend
• The opportunity to grow, develop, and make an impact with a dynamic company in a fun sector
• Hybrid work (one day/week required in Toronto office)

Our Values

We stick together | We do the right thing | We are all entrepreneurs | We are Product obsessed | We tell it like it is | We've got our customer's back

Canada Pooch values diversity in its workforce and encourages applications from all qualified individuals. Applicants requiring a disability-related accommodation at any stage of Canada Pooch's recruitment process should contact careers@canadapooch.com. As required by legislation, Canada Pooch will consult with applications requesting such an accommodation to ensure that Canada Pooch's recruitment process takes into account their accessibility needs.