Product Development Manager

The Lumistella Company•Atlanta, GA

About The Position

The Lumistella Company is a global intellectual property company dedicated to bringing Santa’s North Pole to life for children around the world through consumer products, original entertainment and brand experiences. We are home to the most iconic and beloved Christmas brands of this generation including The Elf on the Shelf, Elf Pets, and Elf Mates. The Product Development Manager will lead the executional development of all plush and textile-based products across Lumistella’s core and inbound licensed lines. From fashion-forward accessories to character-driven plush, this role ensures that each item meets the brand’s high creative standards while achieving cost, safety, and production feasibility targets. This role works closely with Design and Sourcing to deliver accurate, vendor-ready documentation and to ensure storytelling, texture, and tactile delight are preserved through sampling and spec refinement. This role bridges creative intent and technical execution to deliver safe, engaging, and fully manufacturable products. Projects include, but are not limited to elf dolls, costumes & clothing for elves (and potentially other characters), plush accessories, and plush characters of all shapes, sizes, and playable features. Each season can have upwards of 25 unique and innovative items for new development, in addition to products sold globally year after year requiring updates from previous seasons.

Requirements

5+ years in plush, apparel, or soft goods engineering / product development
Experience managing development cycles across seasonal and licensed product lines
Experience working with licensed IP partners on product submissions and approvals
Strong understanding of cut-and-sew, 3D character plush, and cost optimization
Pattern-making knowledge, cut and sew construction and 3D volume development
Understanding of textile performance characteristics
Knowledge of trims, embellishments, embroidery techniques
Strong knowledge of cost estimating and designing to specified cost restraints for soft goods
Digital tool experience preferred (PLM, Adobe Illustrator, CAD familiarity)
Experience working directly with overseas vendors and factories (China, Vietnam, or similar manufacturing hubs)
Familiarity with CPSIA and plush safety standards (domestic & international)
Bachelor’s degree in Product Development, Fashion Technology, Industrial Design, or a related field

Responsibilities

Lead development of plush characters, fashion accessories, and soft goods SKUs from design handoff through pre-production sample approval.
Provide fabric and plush construction guidance for hybrid products, such as dolls with roto-molded heads and plush/felt bodies.
Owns the technical translation of design intent into manufacturable, child-safe, and cost-conscious plush and fashion items—serving as the primary steward of tactile and structural quality.
Translate designs into detailed specifications, including materials, trims, die-cut patterns, construction methods, and finishing techniques.
Partner closely with factories on problem-solving as it relates to die cuts, patterns, seam allowances, and cutting processes to ensure finished good construction is flawless.
Acts as the primary decision-maker for plush construction feasibility.
Partner with the Product Engineer as needed to finalize product specifications, ensuring dimensional accuracy and construction feasibility.
Maintain accurate version control of specifications throughout sampling cycles.
Provide samples to the Packaging Structural Designer to validate product/packaging fit; packaging spec ownership is the responsibility of the Packaging Designer.
Provide samples to the Packaging Graphics team as needed for photography; ensure final art files are provided to the factory on time during Pre-Production phase.
Oversee sampling rounds, evaluate construction quality, softness, scale, and appearance, and manage adjustments in coordination with vendors and internal stakeholders.
Provide clear, actionable feedback to factories on sample revisions, materials, and construction adjustments.
Ensure products meet market expectations for the brands’ emotional and tactile experiences as premium goods meant to be cherished by consumers year after year.
Partner with Sourcing, Costing, and factories to align on material sourcing, cost targets, BOM accuracy, and feasibility resolution.
Work with Compliance & QC to ensure plush and textile products meet all required safety and regulatory standards.
Validate all products meet performance and functional requirements as defined in conjunction with the Director of Product Development.
Work closely with Program Management to maintain schedule adherence and escalate risks for projects that are in danger, offering solutions to mitigate the risks and minimize impact to ship dates.
Protects company assets through the proper management of asset files and adherence to company policy with regard to information security and management.