Product Development Manager

Role Overview

Own the execution of product development from request through sample approval and production readiness. This role translates customer, partner, and factory communication into clear action, manages timelines, validates product accuracy, and keeps development work moving across internal teams, factories, and the Shanghai office. Problem solving and Process ownership are major functions of this role.

This is a high-ownership product execution role, not an administrative coordinator role.

Core Responsibilities

Product Development Execution

• Manage development from concept through sample approval
• Translate requests into CAD, tech pack, sample, lab dip, and factory actions
• Support inline, SMU, private label, off-price, Amazon, and event-driven projects
• Partner with Design and Category Management to keep work moving

Vendor & Factory Management

• Serve as day-to-day contact for factories and the Shanghai office
• Request and track samples, lab dips, strike-offs, materials, pricing, and timelines
• Hold vendors accountable to meet commitments
• Identify factory constraints and communicate business impact

Timeline & Workflow Management

• Track CADs, tech packs, lab dips, samples, approvals, PO dates, and XFD dates
• Maintain accurate project status in monday.com
• Convert email-driven work into clear tasks, owners, and deadlines
• Identify challenges and constraints and follow up until resolved

Product Accuracy & Quality

• Review samples, lab dips, materials, colors, logos, packaging, and specs
• Catch errors before they become customer-facing issues
• Request rework or clarification when needed
• Determine when work is ready to move forward

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Coordinate with Product, Design, Sales, Operations, SHO, factories, and customers
• Clarify ambiguous requests
• Escalate when needed, but resolve routine execution issues independently

Qualifications

• 4–8 years in product development, production, sourcing, or merchandising operations
• Experience working with overseas factories or sourcing offices
• Strong understanding of CADs, tech packs, samples, lab dips, trims, materials, and packaging
• Strong organization, follow-up, and communication skills
• Experience with monday.com or similar workflow tools preferred
• Headwear, Gloves, Knits, Cold Weather accessories, Apparel, licensed product, or consumer goods experience preferred
• Experience developing materials, specifically with wash and dye, jacquards, polys, etc. preferred
• Color matching experience preferred

Key Traits

• High ownership
• Strong attention to detail
• Comfortable with ambiguity
• Clear, direct communicator
• Strong vendor follow-up
• Able to balance urgency, quality, and feasibility
• Able to manage many projects at once

Success Looks Like

• Projects move forward on time
• Factories receive clear direction and consistent follow-up
• Samples and lab dips are accurate before approval
• Internal teams know ownership, timing, and next steps
• Leadership is not pulled into routine execution
• Revenue opportunities move from request to production-ready product efficiently