Associate Product Development Manager

About the Role

We are looking for a detail-oriented and collaborative Assistant Manager of Product Development to support the ideation, development, and execution of our global production and vendor capability strategy. This role is integral to delivering value through a balanced approach to innovation, quality, and cost management across a cross-functional, matrixed global organization.

You will serve as a key connector between brand and design teams and Asia-based product development teams, ensuring strategic alignment and on-time execution across the product-to-market (P2M) pipeline.

What You'll Do

*Understand product development implications on merchandising and design-driven decisions, informed by category and vendor strategies.

*Drive communication between brand teams and Asia-based product teams to ensure strategic business alignment and optimal responsiveness.

*Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure financial targets are met by delivering on cost guidance.

*Provide flash garment costing, accurately accounting for all costing components.

*Manage BOM maintenance through the PLM system to ensure accurate product execution.

*Communicate with Asia-based teams to understand and resolve product execution issues in a timely manner.

*Monitor P2M calendar milestones and escalate issues impacting critical deadlines.

*Support seasonal strategies to manage fabric liability and limit pre-line adoption exposure.

*Execute category product development strategies aligned with production and divisional goals.

Who You Are

*Experience in global product development, with exposure to design, merchandising, and vendor/category management.

*A proactive problem solver who can manage multiple challenges simultaneously while anticipating and mitigating P2M risks across cost, supplier, and timeline constraints.

*A proven collaborator with the ability to influence and drive decisions cross-functionally in a fast-paced, matrixed, and culturally diverse environment.

*A continuous learner with demonstrated curiosity, openness to feedback, and motivation to develop new skills and knowledge.

*A clear communicator who can translate complex data and information for cross-functional partners to support sound decision making.

*Experienced managing specific product categories in coordination with cross-functional teams and international sourcing partners.

Preferred Qualifications

*Experience working with PLM systems for BOM management and product execution.

*Background in apparel or consumer goods product development in a global sourcing environment.

*Familiarity with P2M/GTM calendar management and seasonal planning cycles.

*Strong understanding of garment costing methodologies and supply chain dynamics.

#LI-MM3

*About Aquent Talent:** Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world's biggest brands. Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium. More information on our awesome benefits! Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We're about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.