Manager, Product Development
About The Position
The Manager, Product Development drives the creation, execution, and delivery of product development initiatives within a defined brand. Reporting to the Director, Product Development, this role manages product lifecycles from concept through production, aligning development with business objectives, timelines, and cost targets. The Manager collaborates with design and engineering resources and commercial partners to bring consumer-relevant products to market. The role also supports product validation through user-testing feedback, monitors product performance against quality and experience benchmarks, and contributes to product documentation and customer support materials. The position calls for strong cross-functional coordination, category knowledge, and a focus on consumer needs, product quality, and profitable launches.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Design, Product Development, or a related field.
- 5–7 years of progressive product development experience.
- Proven track record managing product lifecycles and contributing to profitable, consumer-centric launches.
- Strong project management skills, including coordinating cross-functional teams and navigating execution challenges.
- Familiarity with design thinking, user testing, and technical product development processes.
- Experience working with sourcing and supply-chain partners to align cost, quality, and manufacturability.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities.
- Business acumen and ability to interpret product performance data and support decision-making.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in consumer hard goods product development.
- Musical or audio product experience is a plus, but not required.
Responsibilities
- Manage day-to-day product development from concept through mass production, ensuring products meet design intent, quality standards, and business requirements.
- Partner with Merchandising and Planning to align product specifications, sourcing, cost, and delivery goals.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop product opportunities based on consumer and market insights.
- Support product validation by incorporating user-testing feedback into design improvements and final specifications.
- Develop and maintain project timelines, track budgets, and coordinate deliverables for on-time, on-cost launches.
- Monitor product performance targets and collaborate with testing and quality teams to validate durability, reliability, and experience benchmarks.
- Track product cost structures, support cost optimization, and work with sourcing on value-engineering opportunities.
- Maintain knowledge of product category trends, materials, and technical details to support development and cross-functional decisions.
- Contribute to product documentation, troubleshooting guides, and FAQs to enhance customer experience.
- Model teamwork, problem-solving, and respectful communication, contributing to a positive, high-performance culture.
Benefits
- Gig leave for musician employees to take time off to perform and return to work after a tour.
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
- 401(k) with company match.
- Mental health support.
- Paid sick, holiday, and vacation time.
- Employee discount program.
- Tuition reimbursement options.
- Eligibility to participate in the Guitar Center Company bonus program based on company performance.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
