Sr Manager, Digital Product Development

Gildan•Winston-Salem, NC

45d

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Digital Product Development defines and executes digital product development strategies for assigned businesses. This product expert leads cross-functional resources to identify, evaluate, implement, and manage digital tools that improve product development efficiency and reduce costs and timelines. Tools in scope include digital product creation software such as Browzwear and Clo; digital materials software such as Swatchbook and SEDDI; digital product AI tools such as Straight Lines and Caimera AI Fashion; product lifecycle management tools such as Centric PLM and PTC Flex PLM; and other emerging digital product tools. The role partners with business general managers, category product development leads, and Information Technology to build strategic plans aligned with business objectives. It leads the digital product development team and oversees tool selection, evaluation, implementation, and management, ensuring projects stay on calendar and budget and tools are used effectively. The position drives digital tools from concept handoff throughout the product lifecycle for internally developed and sourced products, and collaborates with Technical Design to establish foundational technical elements for accurate digital representations. As the digital product expert, the Senior Manager owns decisions, information, communications, and reporting related to digital product tools and processes. The role ensures tool use improves timelines, reduces physical samples, supports accurate specifications, and provides effective tools for Design and Marketing. It embeds digital product tasks into project calendars and tools such as Workfront, leads cross-functional initiatives, and develops processes for planning and executing evolving digital strategies. Current initiatives include virtual garment sampling across business units, Centric PLM implementation, and evaluation of AI tools for Design and Marketing. The position also develops continuous improvement processes and manages team workload and resource allocation against business priorities.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and 10 or more years of relevant work experience, or a master's degree and 8 or more years of relevant work experience; 4 or more years of equivalent work experience may be substituted for a bachelor's degree.
Leadership experience in textile/apparel product development, technical design, and digital product development.
Demonstrated technical expertise in apparel and textiles.
Thorough understanding of digital product tools and processes.
Strong negotiating, planning, prioritization, and problem-solving skills for managing cross-functional teams and projects.
Experience working with global supply partners and ability to communicate effectively across cultures.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong presentation skills.
Ability to work at a high energy level and adapt flexibly to rapidly changing business priorities.
Availability for some communication with global team members and suppliers during off hours.

Responsibilities

Build a strategic digital product development plan with business general managers, category product development leads, and the Information Technology team.
Lead and direct the digital product development team in selecting, evaluating, implementing, and managing digital product tools.
Keep digital product projects on calendar and within budget, and ensure tools are used effectively.
Drive digital tool use from initial concept handoff through the product lifecycle for internally developed and sourced products.
Collaborate with Technical Design to establish foundational product technical elements that support accurate digital representations of fit, construction, materials, and blocks.
Own decisions, information, communications, and reporting related to digital product tools and processes.
Apply expertise in digital product tools to improve timelines, reduce physical samples, improve specification accuracy, and provide useful Design and Marketing tools that maximize financial benefit.
Ensure digital product development tasks adhere to project calendars and timelines and are incorporated into tools such as Workfront.
Lead cross-functional digital product creation initiatives, including meetings and processes for planning and executing non-seasonal digital product strategies and platforms.
Devise and execute tactics to expand digital product strategies and key projects, including virtual garment sampling, Centric PLM implementation, and evaluation of AI tools.
Develop and implement continuous improvement processes that increase standardization, simplify processes, and improve accuracy and efficiency.
Monitor team workload and allocate resources to meet business priorities and needs.