Sr Manager, Product Development, Denim & Unisex

alexanderwang•New York, NY

35d

About The Position

The Sr. Manager, Product Development, Denim and Unisex owns product development for the denim and unisex categories end-to-end, from initial concept through sample approval, and sets the standards and processes that keep the development pipeline on track. Partnering closely with design and leading the development team, this role brings each style to life—directing tech packs, fabric and wash development, sample logistics, and vendor relationships—so every proto and sales sample meets the brand's standards for fit, fabric, and construction on schedule.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Product Development, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.
7+ years of experience in product development, preferably in denim and/or unisex; end-to-end experience from proto through SMS approval strongly preferred.
Proficient in Adobe InDesign/Illustrator, Microsoft Suite, and RLM or similar PLM systems.
Demonstrated ability to manage samples, BOMs, and development calendars across multiple concurrent seasons.
Experience working with an in-house atelier.
Strong verbal and written communication skills, with a sharp eye for detail and precision.
Highly organized, with a track record of meeting sample deadlines.
Comfortable working cross-functionally across design, materials, and merchandising teams.
Ability to create and maintain seasonal line lists and fit overviews.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary day-to-day partner to the Sr. Design Director, Denim + Cut & Sew, driving alignment on development milestones and sample calendars.
Attend all denim and unisex sketch reviews and proto/SMS reviews, providing technical feedback to keep development executable and on schedule.
Partner with design to make wash comments on all developments and to write complete product knowledge descriptions—covering fit, fabric, trim, and wash details—for every SKU.
Maintain and update the physical and digital design boards with current fabric and wash details by group.
Review all proto and SMS tech packs for accuracy, confirming specs, materials, trims, wash, and finishing details are complete and correct.
Input and maintain style data in RLM from first proto through final SMS, including style numbers, sketches, descriptions, and BOMs; set up raw materials each season.
Maintain a shared database of denim and unisex fits, washes, and fabric names for reference across the team.
Launch proto and SMS development with overseas factories and the in-house atelier, confirming each vendor has clear direction once styles are released.
Order all trims, fabrics, and materials needed for sampling, for both domestic and overseas factories, and gather any standards or sew-bys factories require.
Maintain daily communication with vendors across regions, following up proactively as deadlines approach and escalating risks early to keep development on track.
Request fabric data sheets, lead times, and MOQs from fabric suppliers, and visit denim mills as needed.
Coordinate with the trim team on trim needs and track seasonal trim development for proto and SMS.
Track and coordinate print and custom color development on fabrics.
Maintain the sample WIP chart, logging and receiving all incoming samples.
Maintain an organized system for storing and retrieving samples, and manage the fabric and trim libraries.
Track all sample hand-off timelines to ensure on-time pass-offs, and manage alterations for protos and SMS as needed.
Own the product development calendar end-to-end—building, maintaining, and distributing it to internal teams and factories, and booking all related meetings.
Coordinate sample ETAs, schedule meetings accordingly, and keep cross-functional partners informed of calendar implications for sample development.
Issue development POs and process invoices for samples, fabrics, and printing.
Track denim and unisex team expenses and ensure adherence to budget.
Work cross-functionally with the graphics, trims, and materials teams, and partner with the accessories team on accessories development.