Product Development Manager

STARK • New York, NY

1d

About The Position

STARK is seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Senior Product Development Specialist to support the execution of new product development across all brands and product lines. This role is central to ensuring that products move seamlessly from concept through production and into the showroom, maintaining Stark’s standards of quality, craftsmanship, and design excellence.

This position partners closely with mills, vendors, and cross-functional teams including purchasing, merchandising, marketing, and sales to manage product specifications, sampling, documentation, and launch readiness.

Requirements

• 4–7+ years of experience in product development, merchandising, or a related field (textiles, flooring, or home furnishings preferred)
• Strong understanding of product development processes, sampling workflows, and vendor communication
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and timelines simultaneously
• High attention to detail and accuracy in technical documentation and specifications
• Strong visual sensibility and appreciation for design, color, and materiality
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, experience with product databases

Responsibilities

• Partner with domestic and international mills, agents, and vendors to gather technical specifications, pricing, and production details for new product development
• Manage product briefs in collaboration with purchasing and track development progress from initial concept through approval
• Oversee development samples across all mills, including tracking, revisions, approvals, and final sign-off
• Review and approve pre-production samples, communicating updates and approvals clearly to vendors
• Create and maintain detailed internal specification sheets, pricing documentation, and product databases
• Develop and manage on-order books, ensuring accuracy across all brands and product lines
• Track incoming samples and ensure all development materials are properly received and accounted for
• Distribute approved samples and cuttings to mills, warehouses, and internal teams as needed
• Partner with the sample department to ensure all materials are complete and ready for production
• Photograph product selections and maintain a comprehensive visual archive and photo library
• Support product naming and colorway development in alignment with Stark’s brand voice
• Select appropriate binding and serging finishes for all new products
• Develop blanket layouts and sample vehicle layouts to support manufacturing, marketing, and sales
• Support wholesale product launches, including sample board creation, product tracking, and launch timelines
• Collaborate with Marketing on room scene development and visual storytelling
• Assist with showroom readiness, including open-line updates, sample replacements, and new product introductions
• Partner with merchandising to ensure materials distributed to showrooms meet brand standards
• Prepare polished presentations for internal and external meetings, including product reviews and sales presentations
• Support sales and product teams with clear, accurate, and visually compelling materials
• Proof sample labels, boards, and related materials prior to distribution
• Travel as needed for product reviews and development meetings

Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Supplemental Benefits
• Great Paid Time Off Policy
• 401k match

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees