Global Product Development Lead, Sourcing & QA

Alton Lane; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Alton Lane is seeking a strategic, highly organized Product Development Manager to lead end-to-end product lifecycle, sourcing, production, and QA across retail, wholesale, and e-commerce channels. The role bridges product development, wholesale management, and operations to scale growth.

You will oversee the global vendor network, drive margin performance, ensure strict quality control, and manage internal product teams and in-house factory staff for continuous improvement and luxury outcomes.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in Product Development, Quality Assurance, Sourcing, or Production within the apparel industry.
• Deep understanding of garment construction, textile testing, AQL standards, QMS, factory audits, RCA, and CAPA.
• Previous experience managing B2B/Wholesale product relationships, VMI programs, and safety regulations compliance.
• Highly proficient in PLM systems, Business Intelligence tools and Digital Feedback platforms.
• Experience leveraging AI tools to streamline workflows and customer feedback analysis is a strong plus.
• Exceptional project management, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to travel internationally as required.

Responsibilities

• Time & Action (T&A) Leadership: Create, oversee, and optimize the Product T&A calendar. Establish key milestones, track progress, and communicate updates proactively to all necessary stakeholders.
• Lifecycle Management: Maintain and optimize the overarching Product Lifecycle Calendar, ensuring alignment across all seasonal drops and replenishment programs.
• Workflow Digitization: Digitally streamline workflows by integrating PLM tools and AI technologies to boost productivity and enhance daily continuous improvement practices.
• Project Leadership: Lead project management for all product team activities, tracking major milestones from initial concept through to final delivery, including off-cycle production initiatives.
• End-to-End QA: Drive end-to-end product quality across manufacturing and global supply chains by leveraging Quality Management Systems, risk assessments, and in-market investigations.
• Standards & Inspections: Implement strict Acceptable Quality Level standards to decrease garment defect rates and improve overall product craftsmanship, comfort, and durability.
• Fit & Risk Assessment: Conduct fit clinics and product assessments to resolve construction issues and ultimately reduce customer return rates.
• Continuous Improvement: Utilize Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action Preventative Action methodologies to address and resolve manufacturing issues.
• Vendor Management: Act as the key point of contact for external relationships with suppliers, mills, and manufacturers supporting retail, wholesale, and e-commerce channels, conducting seasonal on-site meetings and factory audits.
• Strategic Sourcing: Work directly with manufacturers to explore options for improved efficiency, cost reduction, quality control, and compliance.
• Financial Acumen & Costing: Manage complex costing exercises, analyze product cost breakdowns, and finalize product costing while identifying opportunities to cut freight-on-board (FOB) costs.
• Inventory & Materials: Direct vendor-managed inventory and rapid response programs, and design fabric reuse strategies to limit material liability and waste.
• Factory Oversight: Manage Alton Lane’s in-house factory employees, ensuring efficiency, quality, and a positive working environment.
• B2B Expansion & Collaborations: Lead B2B growth initiatives by managing essential product samples, and serve as the production lead for 3rd-party brand collaborations.
• Commercial Synergy: Partner with Commercial sales teams to strategize, concept, and support new and existing business opportunities.
• Customer-Centric Directives: Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure vendors meet brand directives while preparing and presenting Voice of the Customer reporting to senior leadership to guide future material and manufacturing decisions.
• Financial & Operational Alignment: Partner with Finance to budget for product needs, monitor production costs, and supervise PO entry. Partner with Ops to ensure orders are on track for delivery.

Skills

8+ years experience in Product Dev/QA/

Quality & Technical Expertise

Strategic Background

Systems Proficiency

AI/Productivity Integration

Soft Skills + Travel

Tools

PLM systems

BI tools

Digital Feedback platforms

Job description

Alton Lane is seeking a strategic, highly organized Product Development Manager to lead end-to-end product lifecycle, sourcing, production, and QA across retail, wholesale, and e-commerce channels. The role bridges product development, wholesale management, and operations to scale growth.

You will oversee the global vendor network, drive margin performance, ensure strict quality control, and manage internal product teams and in-house factory staff for continuous improvement and luxury outcomes.