Senior Product Development Manager
4 days ago
Farmingdale
Summary /Objective The Sourcing Product Development Manager for Apparel & Swimwear is responsible for overseeing the sourcing, development, and commercialization of new product such as swimwear, performance apparel, and technical soft goods. This role bridges design, engineering, and manufacturing to ensure products are developed on time, within budget, and to quality standards. Key responsibilities include managing vendor relationships, sourcing materials and components, optimizing cost-efficiency, and ensuring technical feasibility during development. The manager collaborates closely with design, product, production and factory teams to align on aesthetics, performance, and manufacturability while ensuring products are engineered to meet production and brand standards. Position Responsibilities and Accountabilities: Calendar Management • Develop and maintain seasonal product development calendars aligned with company milestones and go-to-market timelines., • Ensure timely execution of each development phase, including sample reviews, and production readiness., • Manage initial cost estimates and drive cost negotiations with suppliers, with a focus on material costs., • Partner with merchandising team to achieve margin targets without compromising quality or design intent., • Lead cross-functional teams (design, development, and manufacturing) through the end-to-end product development process., • Track multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring on-time delivery, budget adherence, and clear communication at all stages., • Oversee mold and product sample evaluations for fit, function, and finish during all development stages., • Coordinate lab and field testing(e.g., durability, wear testing) to ensure products meet performance and safety standards., • Ensure all materials, components, and finished products meet regional and global regulatory requirements, • Stay updated on industry compliance standards and work with suppliers to ensure adherence., • Support documentation and certification processes for audits and brand sustainability goals., • Ensure all packing and product meets global labeling requirements Qualifications and Competencies: • Strong understanding of mold development processes for apparel& swim product compression, • Proven ability to manage timelines, revisions, and technical feasibility during product development., • Ability to connect product development projects to broader business goals, such as margin targets, speed-to-market, and brand positioning., • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel(e.g., cost modeling, data analysis, pivot tables, VLOOKUP)., • Familiarity with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive); experience collaborating in cloud-based environments a plus., • Clear and concise communicator—able to relay technical information to cross-functional teams, vendors, and factories effectively., • Excellent time management and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks in fast-paced, calendar-driven environments., • Demonstrated success in working with cross-functional teams, including Design, Development, Sourcing, Production, & Merchandising., • Detail-oriented with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make decisions under tight deadlines., • Ability to work independently while fostering collaborative relationships across regions and cultures. Education and Experience: • Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Design, Apparel Product Development, Technical Design, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience)., • 5–8 years of experience in apparel and/or swimwear product development, sourcing, preferably within a global brand or manufacturer., • Experience managing the end-to-end development lifecycle from concept through commercialization, • Familiarity with materials testing, quality assurance standards, and compliance protocols, • Background in managing costing, timelines, and technical specifications in a cross-functional team environment