Associate Manager, Product Development
About The Position
Rent the Runway is seeking an Associate Manager, Product Development for Exclusive Designs. The role independently manages the design and product development process from concept through warehouse for an assigned tranche of brands, while supporting other areas of the product development office. The Associate partners with designers and internal teams, using company data to develop assortments that meet customer demand, and manages production with manufacturers. This is a developmental position intended to prepare the employee for a Product Development Manager role. The position works closely with planning, data analytics, designers, vendors, technical design, and other cross-functional teams to develop and launch products. It requires sound retail math and financial judgment, analytical and strategic thinking, strong communication and organizational skills, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment. The role is office-centric; corporate employees and technical leaders may work remotely on Fridays in accordance with company policies.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree.
- At least 3–4 years of product development skills experience.
- Very strong retail math skills and a strong understanding of financials, including OTB.
- Open, continuous communication and the ability to keep others informed and present information clearly and concisely.
- Excellent leadership, facilitation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally and externally at many levels.
- Analytical skills and the ability to think creatively, strategically, and technically.
- Self-starter and team-player attitude; takes ownership and initiative and can excel in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
- Ability to lead by example with professionalism and a positive attitude.
- Collaborative, enthusiastic, and research-minded approach; able to use feedback constructively.
- Results- and deadline-oriented, with strong follow-through.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint) and Google Suite.
- Willingness to learn new systems.
Nice To Haves
- PLM experience.
Responsibilities
- Partner with planning, data analytics, and designers to own the end-to-end development lifecycle for the assigned area and build successful designer and tastemaker collaborations.
- Collaborate with vendors to source styles in core fabrications and negotiate garment costs to meet internal targets.
- Maintain cost and style-level analysis, updating it through prototype iterations until final style approval.
- Review development samples and monitor line development activities throughout the season.
- Attend fittings and partner with the technical design team and suppliers to develop high-quality products using data to inform decisions.
- Support the Manager with materials for style-out and designer product reviews.
- Manage product-related issues, including sample delivery timing, style execution, and costing.
- Communicate PA/PO information to the Product Assistant and manage the accuracy and completeness of purchase-order entry and tracking.
- Ensure the Product Assistant keeps PLM updated throughout the season.
- Monitor changes in the internal and external business environment, including fashion and customer trends, supply-chain challenges, and sustainability initiatives; anticipate their business impacts and proactively develop responses.
- Use company systems to find and interpret data, make sound business decisions, and apply strategic thinking and analysis to generate ideas and results.
- Take initiative to explore and implement new opportunities and processes.
- Serve as a go-to team resource for the Assistant, Product Development.
- Work with Planning, Creative, Marketing, Operations, and Site Merchandising to drive business decisions and successful brand launches.
Benefits
- Paid time off, including vacation, paid bereavement, and family sick leave.
- Universal paid parental leave for both parents and a flexible return-to-work program.
- Paid sabbatical after five years of continuous service.
- Employee subscription and rental discounts.
- Health, vision, and dental coverage, plus FSA and dependent care benefits, from the first day of employment.
- 401(k) match.
- Company-wide events and outings.
- Equity compensation.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
