Product Manager

Aeropostale•New York, NY

38d•Hybrid

About The Position

Product Manager General Summary: The Product Manager is responsible for managing the full product development and sourcing lifecycle for assigned product categories from concept to production. This role partners with key cross-functional teams – Design, Merchandising, and Technical to translate product concepts into commercially viable product while managing vendor strategy, cost negotiations, and production execution. The ideal candidate brings strong product development and sourcing expertise, connects big-picture strategy throughout the development cycle while maintaining ownership of day-to-day execution. This role requires a strong communicator (both written and verbal) who can navigate seasonal business challenges, manage vendor partnerships, and support brand strategy, margin goals, and OTB fast chase initiatives across both DTC and wholesale channels.

Requirements

4-6 years of experience in apparel product development and sourcing.
Strong understanding of the apparel development lifecycle from concept through production.
Experience working directly with vendors and factories, including managing development execution and production readiness.
Knowledge of apparel manufacturing processes, including fabric mills, garment construction, factory production flow, and quality checkpoints.
Familiarity with product testing standards and factory compliance requirements, including social and factory audit standards.
Experience collaborating cross-functionally with Design, Merchandising, Technical, and other critical business teams within an organization.
Experience working in a fast-paced retail environment managing seasonal development, chase opportunities, and speed-market initiatives.
Experience supporting both DTC (brand) and wholesale business models. DDP model understanding a plus.
Strong negotiations, communication, and problem-solving skills in a fast-paced seasonal business environment.
Experience using and/or understanding PLM, SAP/Infor Nexus, Microsoft Office, various buy systems. (FlexPLM preferred).
Ability to manage multiple priorities and seasonal deadlines while maintaining strong attention to details.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Travel may be required, both domestic and internationally, to vendor offices and factories as needed.
Adhere to regular in-office presence, including to engage in in-person team interaction, meetings and collaboration. Job duties may be performed effectively using the hybrid work program designated by the company.

Responsibilities

Manage the end-to-end product development and sourcing lifecycle from concept to production.
Own seasonal development milestones and manage the time and actional calendar to ensure on-time execution in both key business deadlines and bulk delivery.
Partner closely with Design, Merchandising, Technical teams to bring product concepts to production-ready samples for seasonal presentations.
Manage vendor allocation and cost negotiations to achieve IMU targets while maintaining product standards and brand expectations.
Build and maintain strong vendor relationships and support onboarding of new vendors to strengthen sourcing capabilities.
Partner with Demand Planning to review seasonal projections and align vendor capacity planning, ensuring key suppliers and product categories are planned appropriately to support future order demand.
Monitor vendor performance across cost, quality, and delivery metrics and proactively address issues to ensure successful seasonal execution.
Manage samples, approvals, development, and order placements using key tools and systems (FlexPLM, CAP, and other tools).
Monitor vendor performance across cost, quality, and delivery metrics and proactively address issues to ensure successful sourcing strategies.
Maintain knowledge of apparel manufacturing processes from raw material development through factory production, including fabric mills, factory production flow, and quality control checkpoints.
Communicate development status, risks, and solutions clearly across cross-functional partners and external vendors.
Travel as needed to vendor offices and factories to support development alignment, production readiness, and vendor partnership initiatives.
Familiarity with factory compliance standards, including social compliance and factory audit requirements, to ensure vendors meet company and industry standards is a big plus.