Senior Manager, Product Development

Default Brand; Duquesne (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent bedding company based in Allegheny County is seeking a Senior Manager of Product Development to oversee the lifecycle of innovative bedding products and drive cross-functional collaboration. This role demands a strong background in product development within home textiles, excellent project management skills, and experience with PLM systems. Responsibilities include managing costing, product sampling, and supporting digital transformation initiatives. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience and a proven ability to lead teams effectively.

Qualifications

• 7-10 years of experience in home textile or apparel Product Development.
• Experience with Product Lifecycle Management systems preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Drive development and delivery of bedding products.
• Oversee product development lifecycle from ideation to commercialization.
• Manage costing and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Skills

Product Development

Project Management

Cross-functional Communication

Problem Solving

Time Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Product Development, Project Management, or related field

Tools

Centric PLM

Microsoft Teams

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

The Senior Manager of Product Development is responsible for driving the development and delivery of innovative bedding products across the Company’s assigned brand portfolio, including company owned and/or store brands. This role leads cross functional collaboration with U.S. and global teams to define product specifications, manage costing, and deliver products that meet quality, timing, and profitability targets. Through a blend of product expertise, process leadership, and operational rigor, the senior manager plays a critical role in supporting company growth and performance.

Primary Responsibilities

Product Design and Development

• Oversees the product development lifecycle from ideation to commercialization for various bedding products, including pillows, mattress pads and protectors, sheets, and comforters.
• Utilizes existing knowledge of bedding products to inform product design, construction, and manufacturing, while continually elevating product knowledge.
• Studies industry trends, researches new technologies, partners with suppliers, and collaborates with Marketing and Merchandising teams to develop innovation.
• Builds, issues, and maintains tech packs used to secure accurate costing from component and finished goods suppliers.
• Initiates quoting, sampling, and quality testing activities, including prototyping and review of fabric, design, and fiber or fill options.

Product Sampling and Tracking

• Works with the sample team, Quality Control, and suppliers to ensure initial and production samples meet design and performance requirements.
• Ensures revisions and corrective actions are addressed as needed to maintain compliance with product standards.
• Partners with suppliers on Timing and Action Calendars for all products that move to production.
• Represents Product Development in product launch meetings to ensure on‑time delivery.
• Tracks PP and TOP samples and addresses issues in a timely manner.

Product Costing

• Utilizes understanding of cost drivers to optimize product performance and margin for domestically manufactured and imported products.
• Oversees quote requests, ensuring accuracy of costs, volumes, and other details provided to the Pricing team.
• Partners with Sales, Merchandising, Packaging, Engineering, Sourcing, and other teams to analyze price files and support margin targets.
• Works with cross‑functional partners including China and El Salvador teams to identify and drive margin improvement initiatives.
• Leads retailer specific development as assigned, supporting domestic and international customers including Mass, Club, eCommerce, Off Price, and other trade channels.
• Provides product recommendations for sales opportunities in partnership with Merchandising and Product Development leadership.
• Leads cross functional meetings and tracks projects by customer.

Systems and Special Projects

• Supports Digital Transformation initiatives by developing expertise in Centric PLM.
• Works closely with IT and cross functional teams to drive continuous improvement in PLM functionality.
• Supports integration of Centric PLM with Salesforce CRM and other systems.

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Product Development, Project Management, or related field
• Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in home textile or apparel Product Development
• Experience with Centric PLM or similar Product Lifecycle Management systems preferred
• Ability to lead by establishing clear objectives and priorities in a fast‑paced environment
• Ability to work independently and effectively prioritize responsibilities across multiple projects
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and operational rigor
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain urgency, and work under pressure to meet deadlines
• Strong cross‑functional communication skills with the ability to partner, influence, and drive alignment across teams
• Experience collaborating with global teams and external suppliers
• Strong problem‑solving skills, including the ability to navigate ambiguity and make sound decisions
• Proficient in Microsoft Teams, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
• Ability to foster an inclusive, collaborative team environment

Physical Demands

• Ability to withstand prolonged periods sitting at a desk
• Frequent use of upper extremities to perform keyboard functions and work on a computer
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.