Senior Manager of Product Development

Savannah Friedkin; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Savannah Friedkin, a modern fine jewelry brand, seeks a Senior Manager of Product Development to lead end-to-end development from concept to launch, coordinating with vendors and internal teams to ensure quality and on-time delivery.

You will own the critical path, manage budgets, evaluate suppliers, and drive manufacturability while preserving design intent and elevated product standards. This role requires exceptional attention to detail and strong collaboration across partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Gemology preferred.
• 8+ years in jewelry project management or product development.
• Strong knowledge of jewelry manufacturing technologies and materials.
• Excellent organizational skills and accountability.
• Proven vendor management and cost negotiation abilities.
• Proficient CAD, MS Office and Adobe tools; CAD experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end product development from design through launch.
• Own vendor communication, scheduling, and milestone tracking.
• Coordinate with internal teams and external partners to meet timelines.
• Negotiate costs, monitor supplier performance, and drive quality.
• Develop production schedules and manage sample budgets.
• Maintain documentation for new development and finished goods.

Skills

Project leadership

Vendor management

Attention to detail

English communication

CAD knowledge

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Gemology

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Creative Suite

Monday.com

PLM

Oracle

CAD software

Job description

Founded in 2024, Savannah Friedkin is a modern fine jewelry brand rooted in quality craftsmanship and environmental consciousness. Savannah Friedkin Jewelry now enters a pivotal scaling phase, evolving from a promising creative studio into a globally recognized brand.

The Senior Manager of Product Development will provide comprehensive, highly organized project management for the successful development of new Fine Jewelry from initial development through launch. This role serves as the primary owner of vendor communication and project execution, proactively collaborating to drive timelines, identifying risks, resolving issues and maintain alignment across internal and external partners. The role requires exceptional attention to detail, accountability, and a genuine passion for fine jewelry, craftsmanship and product development.

As a Senior Manager, Product Development you will:

• Assess product designs to ensure project viability (technical feasibility, design/volume translation, quality), taking into consideration alternative processes and specific tooling solutions based on industry expertise.
• Provide multifaceted project leadership for new product development efforts focusing on engineering, manufacturing, cost, and design aesthetic needs.
• Create production schedules, prioritize launches, and allocate vendor capacity.
• Own the critical path from design approval through launch, monitor milestones, identify blockers and recovery plans and own sample budget.
• Select vendors with whom we work, negotiate lead times, monitor performance, resolve issues, maintain vendor score cards.
• Serve as primary contact (owner) with external vendors during development collaboration.
• Effectively negotiate costing.
• Identify and resolve delays with vendors, materials, and approvals.
• Maintain open and regular communication with vendors on project status, risks, priorities and recommended next steps, providing documentation and reporting as required, including reporting related to monthly launch status, WIP reports, vendor status, and timeline updates.
• Continuously evaluate and prioritize competing project needs based on launch requirements, development risk, business priorities and critical path, adjusting focus as circumstances evolve.
• Own technical decision-making and ensuring highest quality standards for all pieces produced: quality control of stones, work-in-progress, and finished products.
• Execute and maintain all product-specific documentation for new development and active finished goods.
• Identify project obstacles early and proactively drive resolution with vendors and internal partners; present clear options, implications and recommended next steps when escalation is required.
• Collaborate on solutions to improve manufacturability, cost and quality while preserving design intent and elevated product standards.
• Execute and track new sample orders and finished goods orders, ensuring product is properly ordered and received on schedule.
• Maintain purchase order template to include samples, new products, running changes, and custom orders.
• Manage incoming material inspection (diamonds, weight, finish, packaging, photography readiness).
• Support additional manufacturing and development initiatives as needed.
• Coordinate and conduct factory audits and supplier assessments to evaluate manufacturing capabilities, quality systems, production capacity, compliance, and overall supplier performance.

What We Need From You

• Bachelor's Degree Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution required; a focus in Gemology preferred
• 8+ years of professional jewelry project management / product development experience Required
• Strong knowledge of modern jewelry manufacturing techniques, jewelry construction, precious metal metallurgy and gemstones.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, with demonstrated ability to manage numerous concurrent projects without losing visibility to individual actions, deadlines, or product details.
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability, with the discipline and persistence to follow projects and outstanding issues through to resolution.
• Strong problem-solving skills and sound judgment; able to assess issues, develop solutions and *specifically?**?**?**?**?**?**?**?**?**?**?**?**?**?**?**?**?**?**?**?**?**?**?**?**?**?**?**?**?**?**?**?**?**?**?**? when necessary.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build productive relationships with internal partners and external vendors.
• Genuine interest in and passion for jewelry, craftsmanship, design and the process of transforming creative concepts into exceptional finished product.
• High standards for quality and execution.
• Proficient Microsoft Office and Adobe Suite skills (particularly Excel, InDesign, Photoshop); Working knowledge of Monday.com, PLM, and Oracle software.
• Practical CAD knowledge.

Travel Requirements

• 20% travel to support the operations, off-site events as needed, including annual factory visits abroad.

Join Us

The Friedkin Group and its affiliates are committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities, including providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation, please contact us at [e-mail]. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all associates.

We are seeking candidates legally authorized to work in the United States, without Sponsorship.