Technical Product Specialist

POSITION OVERVIEW

Benchmade is seeking a Technical Product Specialist with deep expertise in Shopify theme development, site management, integrations, and performance optimization. In this role, you will own the evolution of our ecommerce storefront, and serve as a technical subject-matter expert, ensuring exceptional speed, stability, SEO performance, and customer experience.

You will deliver a best-in-class onsite shopping experience by analyzing, optimizing and innovating across our ecommerce technology stack. You have a strong understanding of digital strategy, web development principles, and the tools required to enhance visibility, performance, and the overall customer journey.

Key responsibilities include leading the full Shopify theme development lifecycle including bugfix management, customization, layout updates, ongoing optimization and collaborating closely with our web development agency to plan, build, QA, and deploy site enhancements, while retaining ownership of technical direction.

You will report on the effectiveness and business impact of optimization initiatives including site speed improvements and error reduction KPIs. You will also test and implement new technical approaches across eCommerce platforms and supporting applications, while managing stakeholder expectations and escalating risks related to the customer journey.

ABOUT THE TEAM

The E-commerce & Customer Experience team at Benchmade is a fast-paced place to be. This team sets ambitious targets and moves quickly to beat goals. From engineers to designers, data scientists, and digital marketing specialists, this is the team responsible for creating winning digital products and campaigns that run the length of the purchase funnel. This role reports to the Technical Product Manager of Marketing.

The shared goal? Efficient growth at high speed! Benchmade is a place that is centered around growth and progress. We offer an environment designed to give people the tools to develop holistically - to stay active, to learn, explore, and innovate.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own and direct the end-to-end management and evolution of the Shopify storefront, including coordination with partners to manage theme development, customization, layout updates, and ongoing optimization
• Deliver a best-in-class onsite shopping experience by optimizing product presentation, navigation, search, and overall user experience in accordance with Marketing initiatives
• Implement and optimize integrations across platforms such as Shopify, Searchspring, Zendesk, Threekit Customizer, and customer journey tools, leveraging AI and automation where applicable
• Partner with the web development agency to scope, build, QA, and deploy site enhancements and technical updates
• Champion site experience improvements by identifying opportunities, prioritizing enhancements, and delivering against KPIs, including speed, stability, conversion, and error reduction
• Conduct ongoing QA, troubleshooting, and issue resolution to remove friction across the customer journey
• Prepare performance reporting and insights using analytics tools such as Google Analytics, Shopify, Noibu, and other measurement platforms
• Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices to inform innovation and keep Benchmade at the forefront of ecommerce experience

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree required
• 3-5 years of experience in Shopify development or ecommerce technical roles
• Advanced expertise in Shopify includes Liquid theme development, template customization, and storefront configuration
• Strong front-end development skills, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and responsive design
• Demonstrated ability to analyze ecommerce performance data, interpret KPIs, and make independent, data-driven decisions.
• Experience collaborating with development agencies or external technical partners
• Customer-centric mindset with a passion for creative problem solving and improving the digital shopping experience
• Analytical and data-driven with the ability to identify risks, uncover opportunities, and make informed decisions through tools and insights
• Experience with AI Product Search & Discovery models, Salsify PIM publishing, Klaviyo, and Loop Returns is a plus
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to partner effectively across internal teams and with external vendors
• Growth mindset and flexibility to adapt to evolving digital retail and e-commerce trends

COMPANY CULTURE

We Rally. No matter what each day throws at us, we work together to find solutions that exceed the problem at hand. It's a collaborative, empowering phrase that speaks to our resilience while chasing our mission to elevate the entire knife category. Our reputation for enduring quality is evident in every knife we release.

Our core values guide how we treat our employees, customers, and retail partners:

1. Elevate Everything
   We bring expertise and resources to enhance the work of others. We challenge each other to deliver the highest value for our customers.
2. Better is Better
   There is no finish line. We constantly seek improvement, obsessing over details to refine both our products and our processes.
3. Unapologetically Accountable
   We communicate openly and honestly. We celebrate team wins and rally together to solve challenges. We own the outcome.
4. Courageous Innovation
   We believe elegant ideas are waiting to be discovered. We push for bold thinking that keeps us leading the industry.
5. Community Driven
   As a family business, we understand the impact of giving back. We work to strengthen the communities we call home and make our expertise available to do the most good.

ABOUT BENCHMADE

With a rich history dating back over 30 years, Benchmade is the product of many dedicated employees, a never-quit demand for excellence, and the de Asis family's vision and total commitment to culture, service, and innovation. Les de Asis incorporated as Bali-Song, Inc. and rented a small shop in a second-story mezzanine in California. The original equipment was purchased from the owner of a manufacturing operation who was looking to retire. Utilizing the rudimentary technology available to him at the time, Les began building handmade custom Bali-Songs, and the success of these custom Balis spurred the creation of the first production Bali-Song: The model 68. Over the next seven years, the company expanded its product offerings into fixed blades and conventional folding knives, and evolved its name from Bali-song, Inc. to Pacific Cutlery Corp. Due to its inability to control quality, price, and delivery, Pacific Cutlery Corp. filed for bankruptcy and was dissolved.

In 1988, Les reintroduced a new company and a new version of the Model 68; This time with a drive to produce products in the US and an even stronger commitment to product availability, quality, and customer relationships. The company now needed a new name. While there was "handmade" and "factory-made," it was "Benchmade" that described the quality of Les' product. He was building an operation that made precision parts, but with hand assembly on the finished products. This was a "bench" operation and Les wanted the name to reflect the marriage of manufactured and custom. In short, it describes Benchmade's position in the market- even to this day.

Benchmade moved from California to a facility in Clackamas, Oregon and began producing knives there under the name Benchmade, Inc. This was a major turning point, as the company was now located in the epicenter for knife manufacturing. Many technological advancements were now possible and Benchmade became the first company to own and employ a high-power laser cutter, allowing for work with steels too hard to stamp. To this day Benchmade continues to focus on innovation, customer needs, responsible business ethics and operations to bring the highest quality products to the world's elite. This is the story of Benchmade.