Sr. Manager, Product Development

The Friedkin Group•New York, NY

About The Position

Founded in 2024, Savannah Friedkin is a modern fine jewelry brand rooted in quality craftsmanship and environmental consciousness. Savannah Friedkin Jewelry now enters a pivotal scaling phase, evolving from a promising creative studio into a globally recognized brand. The Senior Manager of Product Development will provide comprehensive, highly organized project management for the successful development of new Fine Jewelry from initial development through launch. This role serves as the primary owner of vendor communication and project execution, proactively collaborating to drive timelines, identifying risks, resolving issues and maintain alignment across internal and external partners. The role requires exceptional attention to detail, accountability, and a genuine passion for fine jewelry, craftsmanship and product development.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution required; a focus in Gemology preferred
8+ years of professional jewelry project management / product development experience Required
Strong knowledge of modern jewelry manufacturing techniques, jewelry construction, precious metal metallurgy and gemstones.
Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, with demonstrated ability to manage numerous concurrent projects without losing visibility to individual actions, deadlines, or product details.
Strong sense of ownership and accountability, with the discipline and persistence to follow projects and outstanding issues through to resolution.
Strong problem-solving skills and sound judgment; able to assess issues, develop solutions and escalate appropriately when necessary.
Excellent written and verbal English communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build productive relationships with internal partners and external vendors.
Genuine interest in and passion for jewelry, craftsmanship, design and the process of transforming creative concepts into exceptional finished product.
High standards for quality and execution.
Proficient Microsoft Office and Adobe Suite skills (particularly Excel, InDesign, Photoshop); Working knowledge of Monday.com, PLM, and Oracle software.
Practical CAD knowledge.

Responsibilities

Assess product designs to ensure project viability (technical feasibility, design/volume translation, quality), taking into consideration alternative processes and specific tooling solutions based on industry expertise.
Provide multifaceted project leadership for new product development efforts focusing on engineering, manufacturing, cost, and design aesthetic needs.
Create production schedules, prioritize launches, and allocate vendor capacity.
Own the critical path from design approval through launch, monitor milestones, identify blockers and recovery plans and own sample budget.
Select vendors with whom we work, negotiate lead times, monitor performance, resolve issues, maintain vendor score cards.
Serve as primary contact (owner) with external vendors during development collaboration.
Effectively negotiate costing.
Identify and resolve delays with vendors, materials, and approvals.
Maintain open and regular communication with vendors on project status, risks, priorities and recommended next steps, providing documentation and reporting as required, including reporting related to monthly launch status, WIP reports, vendor status, and timeline updates.
Continuously evaluate and prioritize competing project needs based on launch requirements, development risk, business priorities and critical path, adjusting focus as circumstances evolve.
Own technical decision-making and ensuring highest quality standards for all pieces produced: quality control of stones, work-in-progress, and finished products.
Execute and maintain all product-specific documentation for new development and active finished goods.
Identify project obstacles early and proactively drive resolution with vendors and internal partners; present clear options, implications and recommended next steps when escalation is required.
Collaborate on solutions to improve manufacturability, cost and quality while preserving design intent and elevated product standards.
Execute and track new sample orders and finished goods orders, ensuring product is properly ordered and received on schedule.
Maintain purchase order template to include samples, new products, running changes, and custom orders.
Manage incoming material inspection (diamonds, weight, finish, packaging, photography readiness).
Support additional manufacturing and development initiatives as needed.
Coordinate and conduct factory audits and supplier assessments to evaluate manufacturing capabilities, quality systems, production capacity, compliance, and overall supplier performance.