PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
This position is the primary owner of Made For Retail’s product development initiatives. This position is charged with managing and coordinating product development projects, assortments and timelines for assigned clients-- managing day-to-day operational aspects of core product development projects in alignment with the client’s timing and action calendars, ensuring due dates and deadlines are consistently managed and met. This position will execute and oversee all product development strategies and initiatives with responsibility for achieving program financials
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership & Strategic Planning
- Provide leadership and project management from development to in-store sets, covering pre-production and production phases.
- Understand client business trends, brand guidelines, and objectives to ensure effective assortment planning.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams on strategies for design, product development, financial analysis, and assortment planning.
Product Development & Innovation
- Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the marketplace and our client identify and address assortment gaps, seeking opportunities for innovation.
- Manage product concepts through collaboration with overseas counterparts.
- Responsible for final review of samples for performance, quality, and "fit for purpose."
- Lead cross-functional teams to bring products from concept to completion.
- Collaborate with overseas teams to maximize value and cost-engineer products effectively, ensuring financial goals are met or exceeded.
- Leveraging 3D and AI opportunities for efficiency in our product development process
Design & Trend Integration
- Stay leading-edge on appropriate marketplace trends for competitive product positioning.
- Leverage internal and external supported resources and indications to execute Made ForRetails POV within client assortments.
- Participate in client-facing design and trend meetings as needed.
- Develop Line Plans to align with Made For Retails and client objectives.
Data Integrity & Cost Management
- Ensure data integrity and communication using PLM tools, tech packs, and supplier platforms.
- Track and manage program cost drivers to meet or exceed budget goals.
- Ensure product data integrity in PLM, Tech Packs, and supplier requests.
REQUIREMENTS
- 3+ years of experience in fast-paced, trend-driven consumer product development
- Bachelor’s degree in Retail, Design, Business, or related field
- Proven track record with national retailers and international factories/partners
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and moderately skilled in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign)
- Strong experience managing products, timelines, and action plans
- Analytical skills to evaluate business and market data
- Expertise in cost engineering to develop products that meet price points and margin goals
- Collaborative team player with PLM process experience
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, both visual and verbal
- Strong merchandising, trend, color, and design sense
- Adaptable and thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Keen eye for trends and urgency in meeting market demands
- Skilled at communicating and executing clear product vision and strategy
