On-site Apparel Product Development Lead

KITH; New York (NY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Kith in New York City is seeking a Product Development Manager, SMU to lead end-to-end apparel and graphics development from concept to production handoff. You will ensure margins, quality, design intent, and calendars, while driving cross-functional alignment in a fast-paced environment.

The role requires strong leadership, organizational skills, and a proven ability to manage multi-project pipelines with vendors and factories globally.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of product development experience.
• Experience in men’s apparel development preferred.
• Deep understanding of garment construction, fit, costing, fabric development, and global sourcing.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily direction, coaching, mentorship, and performance management for the Product Development Associate and Product Development Assistant.
• Identify operational gaps and implement process improvements to enhance transparency, speed, and cross-functional alignment.
• Manage the product lifecycle from initial sketch through pre-production samples, collaborating closely with Design, Production, and cross-functional partners.
• Meet weekly with Design and Materials teams to review outstanding collections, development status, timelines, fabrics, trims, and allocation needs.
• Own launching development trials for new techniques, materials, or constructions as needed each season.
• Oversee and maintain trim, lining, denim, and yarn libraries across all factories.
• Oversee the accuracy of tech packs, BOMs, costing sheets, and all style information within PLM and internal systems.
• Manage seasonal trim development, including requesting, tracking, and reviewing TDS for accuracy, and flagging any discrepancies, as well as the Trim Development Tracking Chart.
• Maintain accurate and complete product data within PLM and internal systems.
• Build and maintain seasonal WIP once collections are confirmed, ensuring all style details are accurate and up to date.
• Manage all proto, fit, SMS, and costing rounds to ensure quality, design integrity, and margin targets are met.
• Own and enforce adherence to seasonal calendars, proactively anticipating risks and driving timely solutions.
• Ensure samples align with design intent, quality standards, and timeline requirements.
• Communicate daily with vendors and factories regarding development status, samples, pricing, MOQs, and both sampling and bulk timelines.
• Review weekly factory WIPs and update shared tracking tools accordingly.
• Support cost analysis, margin targets, and pricing discussions, leading cost negotiations with suppliers as needed without compromising design intent.
• Build, manage, and optimize relationships with global factories to support quality execution and long-term brand goals.
• Serve as a key liaison between Design, Merchandising, Production, and Technical Design throughout the development process.
• Lead cross-functional meetings to align seasonal priorities, resolve roadblocks, and make informed decisions.
• Escalate major risks to senior leadership while proposing solutions and mitigation plans.
• Support the adoption process for all collections ensuring all data is accurately reflected, and systems are up to date.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organization

Time management

Project management

Tools

PLM systems

Adobe Creative Suite

Microsoft Office

Job description

Kith in New York City is seeking a Product Development Manager, SMU to lead end-to-end apparel and graphics development from concept to production handoff. You will ensure margins, quality, design intent, and calendars, while driving cross-functional alignment in a fast-paced environment.

The role requires strong leadership, organizational skills, and a proven ability to manage multi-project pipelines with vendors and factories globally.