Job Listings Hint Spotify Working on its ‘First Physical Products’

For the past year, Spotify has been working on its very first piece of hardware, and if some recent job listings are anything to go by it could be going into production very soon.

According to a recent report from The Guardian, Spotify is currently on the lookout for an Operations Manager: Hardware Product, a Senior Product Manager: Hardware Production, and a Project Manager: Hardware Production and Engineering. All three job listings, which are based in Stockholm, Sweden, state that the employee’s work will “impact the way the world experiences music.”

How far along in the process of creating its own hardware is unclear, but this hire would “define and manage” key elements like distribution, supply chain, logistics and customer service for the product(s). As some have pointed out, the ad suggests Spotify may be near the finish line in terms of designing the hardware and are now gearing up to manufacture it.

“Spotify is on its way to creating its first physical products and setting up an operational organisation for manufacturing, supply chain, sales & marketing,” one of the listings reads.

“We are looking for a passionate and seasoned Operations Manager that will contribute in the creation of innovative Spotify experiences via connected hardware,” the listing continues. “You will define and manage Distribution, Supply, Logistics, fulfilment [sic] and Customer Service for Hardware Products. You will also work with partners to deliver the optimal Spotify experience to millions of users. Above all, your work will impact the way the world experiences music.”

For its part, Spotify hasn’t confirmed that it’s working on hardware. The company is in a bitter streaming-music battle with Apple Music for dominance in that growing market. However, Spotify has kept to software and streaming and unlike Apple, doesn’t build hardware as a core function in its business.