Product Development Manager

The Sample Room - New York, NY

Full-time - Mid Level

New York, NY

About the position

The Product Development Manager is responsible for overseeing all incoming project requests and managing the workflow between the design and production teams. This role involves coordinating project timelines, managing inventory, and ensuring effective communication across departments to align on project expectations and deliverables.

Responsibilities

• Manage Daily WIP (Workload/Delivery Timelines) and pass projects with all materials to Floor Manager.
• Manage timely delivery of all projects between the floor and the office to align on expectations.
• Weekly distribution of WIP to PD and Design, updating and coordinating as necessary.
• Photograph samples and manage Sample Image Archives, keeping all photos on company computers.
• Receive Incoming Design Cards and work with Director to finalize any missing information such as measurements and design details.
• Distribute Design Cards to staff, ensuring information is always up to date.
• Identify and coordinate all raw materials including components with PD and/or vendor, communicating timing to floor staff, PD and Design.
• Direct handoff meetings for new projects with team members.
• Partner with Floor Supervisor to manage delivery timeframes and communicate any changes in deliveries to Director, PD / Design.
• Implement and manage strategies to improve workflow and efficiency.
• Manage inventory of all raw materials needed, including Hardware, Leather and Trims.
• Liaise between Design, PD and TSR for all projects.
• Manage Reference Libraries, including Technique trials, Mockups and Innovations.
• Support sample review process to call out any issues or misses and communicate to Patternmaker to implement edits.
• Communicate all quality call outs and comments to Design and PD to ensure alignment on quality issues.
• Communicate supply/deadline issues to Director and Clients.
• Coordinate Staff Schedules when overtime is needed, according to WIP completion requirements.
• Order and manage shop materials for inventory management.
• Coordinate meals for overtime workers as needed.
• Maintain ongoing service maintenance for all machines, maintaining log of issues.
• Order machine parts and cataloguing machine part inventory, maintaining machine manuals and directly working with mechanic.

Requirements

• Proven experience in project management within a product development environment.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills to liaise between various teams.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Experience with inventory management and coordination of materials.

Nice-to-haves

• Familiarity with design software and tools.
• Experience in the fashion or apparel industry.
• Knowledge of production processes and timelines.

Benefits

• Full-time employment with a stable schedule.
• Opportunity for overtime as needed.