Manager, Product Development, HB/SLG

Tory Burch•New York, NY

5d•$110,000 - $115,000

About The Position

The Manager, Product Development – Handbags & Small Leather Goods is responsible for driving the end-to-end product development process from initial concept through production, ensuring product integrity, quality, cost targets, and calendar adherence. This role partners closely with Design, Merchandising, Materials, Production, and external manufacturing partners to bring product vision to life while balancing brand standards, commercial objectives, and operational excellence. The Manager leads and develops direct report(s), proactively solves problems, mitigates risk, and continuously elevates processes to deliver high-quality product aligned with divisional strategy and brand positioning.

Requirements

BA/BS degree
Minimum 6+ years in Handbag/SLG product development, sourcing, and/or production
Demonstrated passion for handbags and small leather goods, with strong product sensibility
Strong analytical and math skills with the ability to interpret costing and margins
High attention to detail and high level of accuracy is required
Strong communication, organizational, interpersonal and negotiation skills
Able to work in a fluid, fast-paced, multi-channel environment
Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required

Responsibilities

Collaborate with Design to interpret and translate creative vision into executable product that aligns with divisional strategies and commercial priorities.
Serve as primary development liaison between internal Design team and factories, ensuring accurate capture and communication of all design feedback, meeting with internal team frequently.
Oversee creation and approval of BOMs and Tech Packs, ensuring accuracy, completeness, cost targets, compliance, and readiness for production.
Coordinate with manufacturing partners, cross-functional teams and direct reports/associates to manage spec turnover within calendar to ensure timeliness of protos, SMS, and confirmation samples
Identify, resolve, or escalate product, cost, or execution issues to ensure alignment with design, merchandising, production, and financial goals.
Recommend enhancements to construction and material options to elevate our brand, while achieving financial requirements, strategic intent, and optimal delivery
Partner with materials team as needed to ensure all materials are “fit for purpose”
Review all prototypes and SMS/market samples to ensure accuracy in execution to spec. Report on proto and SMS deviations and errors.
Lead costing analysis by scrubbing cost breakdown sheets to understand or question yields, quoted component costs and LOP. Costing prep to assist management in costing review, including LY style comparison, identifying cost increases, and opportunities for improvement.
Own product integrity throughout the development lifecycle, ensuring quality, performance, and brand standards are consistently met.
Review all components, construction methods, and logo usage for quality, durability, and compliance.
Coordinate wear testing, analyze results, and escalate risks or corrective actions as needed.
Review factory risk assessments and proactively escalate and mitigate potential quality or compliance risks.
Proactively manage and monitor development calendars to drive on-time execution; identify risks early and partner with cross-functional teams to resolve variances.
Obtain, review, report on (according to milestone schedule), and challenge vendors on lead times
Ensure alignment with merch on optimal delivery dates, supervise system accuracy prior to production
Manage timely buy ready status according to buy calendar and optimal delivery window
Throughout the development cycle, work closely with design and production to resolve material, technical or supplier issues that could impact production
Ensure all production tech packs, standards, and materials are production-ready at time of order placement.
Review and approve confirmation samples and WIP submissions; escalate deviations and potential delays to leadership.
Oversee correct trim, labeling, and regulatory compliance, including the flagging of materials that require special customs documentation.
Oversee WIP approvals according to production timeline and report delays or potential delays to manager
Work on other relevant projects as required by supervisor
Manage, coach, and develop a direct report, including onboarding, training, performance feedback, and career development.
Ensure consistent adherence to department processes while identifying and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
Effectively communicate and implement process updates and best practices across the team.