Senior Product Development Manager

SanMar-Internal • Issaquah, WA

1d • $100,000 - $165,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Product Development Manager manages product lines and product development, and leads a team of product developers. The role leads development and production across multiple product categories and brands, guiding products from initial concept through commercialization and managing relationships with suppliers and the global supply base. In partnership with design and merchandising teams, the manager creates product strategies to drive new product development, cost savings, responsible sourcing, and customer satisfaction. The role oversees production management to support on-time delivery of quality products and leads training and development for junior product development staff.

The position is hybrid, based at SanMar’s Eastpointe office in Issaquah, Washington. Employees are required to work in the office Tuesday through Thursday, with additional office days possible based on business needs. Standard working hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Frequent domestic and international travel is required to meet suppliers and visit factories.

Requirements

• At least 8 years of experience in product development and production management, or equivalent education.
• Deep understanding of garment and textile manufacturing processes, factory evaluation techniques, and vendor compliance requirements.
• High-level understanding of forecasting, buy planning, factory loading, and capacity planning.
• Knowledge of component costing, including garment construction, raw material options, and landing factors.
• Sound understanding of international trade agreements, HTS codes, customs regulations, and product safety standards.
• Strong ability to interact effectively with global supply chain stakeholders at all levels of management.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to clearly articulate goals and objectives.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a results-driven mindset.
• Strong interpersonal skills; professionalism; conflict-resolution ability; and the ability to contribute to a positive work environment.
• Ability to travel internationally frequently.

Responsibilities

• Lead the product development strategy and process from design, materials, and trim concepts through manufacturable, high-quality, commercialized products, managing product life cycles from prototype approvals to top of production.
• Manage vendor relationships for product lines, negotiate prices, and resolve issues.
• Negotiate costs and maintain responsibility for product margins for assigned brands and categories.
• Research technologies, concepts, and materials that could add value to SanMar; track emerging material, trim, and style trends through industry events and regular supplier, mill, and factory meetings.
• Travel domestically and internationally to meet suppliers and visit factories.
• Develop fabrics, trims, and styles with suppliers and oversee color development and management, including lab dips and bulk materials.
• Collaborate with Sourcing to establish business relationships, evaluate suppliers, review vendor scorecards, and develop vendor improvement plans.
• Work with Sourcing to develop risk mitigation strategies for key programs and evaluate risks associated with materials, trims, and products.
• Partner with Technical Design to support an efficient fit process, minimize prototypes, address quality concerns, and consider alternative construction for cost savings.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on seasonal product design and engineering and propose viable new products to brand partners.
• Execute seasonal development calendars to meet deadlines, costing KPIs, and quality standards.
• Manage monthly capacity and work-in-progress reports to support on-time delivery; work with Planning to balance order flows with supplier capabilities and capacity.
• Manage suppliers to ensure products are delivered on time and meet SanMar quality and compliance requirements.
• Ensure the global quality program is executed throughout the product development lifecycle and support social compliance and safety requirements across the supply base.
• Coach and develop direct reports and the product development team through consistent feedback and evaluations, supporting individual professional goals and department objectives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Comply with all policies and standards.

Benefits

• Annual discretionary bonus of up to 10% of base salary.
• Paid time off accrued bi-weekly based on hours worked, up to 112 hours per year to start.
• Eight paid holidays and one paid family day off.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• 401(k) plan with a dollar-for-dollar match up to 4% of earnings, matched and vested each pay cycle.
• Life insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Paid maternity and paternity leave.
• Pet insurance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed