Product Development Manager

EMINENT•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

The Product Development Manager is a full-time, senior-level role responsible for overseeing the development and execution of the product development process. The manager leads an existing team of product developers and ensures seasonal product development cycles and procedures are executed successfully to support company goals and objectives. The position maintains visibility into productivity, costing, and calendar metrics and ensures these are communicated clearly. It requires effective collaboration with team members, outside vendors, and stakeholders across the organization. The role manages vendor relationships, calendars, work-in-progress tracking, costing, product development budgets and timelines, sourcing, allocations, and product quality across multiple brands or categories. It also develops and improves processes, supports and trains junior team members, and travels overseas to work with vendors. The role is based in a fast-paced environment with short product calendars. For individuals assigned or hired to work in California, the stated estimated annual salary range is $117,000 to $125,000.

Requirements

Degree in apparel manufacturing, product development, apparel design, or a related field.
At least 9 years in product development or a related field.
At least 3 years in a managerial or leadership role; the posting also lists 5+ years in a management role.
Experience with costing and overseas vendor communication.
Excellent computer skills, including Excel and Google applications.
In-depth knowledge of fabric, apparel, materials, construction, and fit.
Understanding of all stages of product development processes and ability to handle a large number of SKUs.
Advanced knowledge of product life cycle, calendar deadlines, fabric, trims, quality, developments, garment construction, and finishing.
Advanced organizational, analytical, decision-making, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills; attention to detail.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with a short (5-month) lead calendar; multitask, prioritize workload, delegate, and meet deadlines.
Ability to lead, manage, and train multiple junior-level team members across multiple brand categories.
Ability and willingness to lift and carry up to 10 pounds and perform frequent repetitive finger, hand, and wrist motions, as well as bending, stooping, reaching, squatting, kneeling, pushing, and pulling.
Ability to sit for extended periods.

Nice To Haves

Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop skills and knowledge of CAD.
Positive prior vendor relationships and resources.
In-depth knowledge of textiles, sourcing, and development.
Ability to travel overseas once or twice a year.

Responsibilities

Manage existing vendor relationships to continually improve product.
Manage internal and external calendars to ensure deliveries are met.
Monitor work in progress (WIP) for all product stages across multiple brands or categories.
Negotiate, set, and approve target FOB costs and retail prices to maintain margins.
Guide team members in strengthening their negotiation skills.
Manage all phases of the product development cycle with internal teams, including timelines, vendor relationships, and budgets, to meet launch dates.
Collaborate with cross-functional departments to clarify the product pipeline and ensure on-time deliverables.
Develop and improve existing capabilities and product development processes, and communicate process changes effectively.
Partner with the Supply Chain team to oversee seasonal allocations and source and onboard new vendors.
Manage the flow of allocation, sourcing, and development of high-quality products among team members.
Assist in leading workshops for junior-level team members.
Cultivate, interview, and train junior team members, including refining their development processes.
Travel overseas to vendors to expedite products and improve processes.
Complete ad hoc tasks and assignments as directed by executives.