Senior Product Development Manager

The Workshop LA; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The Workshop LA in Los Angeles is seeking a Senior Product Development Manager, Apparel to shepherd end-to-end product lifecycle from ideation through launch and post-launch optimization.

You will lead cross-functional teams, drive the product vision and calendar, and ensure alignment with the brand strategy in a fast-paced fashion environment. Onsite in the Valley.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Apparel/Fashion Design, Product Development, Merchandising, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in apparel product development or management.
• Leadership experience mentoring direct reports.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive long-term product vision and development roadmap for apparel.
• Lead cross-functional teams across Design, Merchandising, Production, Sourcing, Marketing, and Sales.
• Monitor KPIs like margins, adoption rates, and lead times to ensure on-time market delivery.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Apparel/Fashion Design or related field

Tools

PLM software

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

The Senior Product Development Manager, Apparel, will manage and execute the entire product lifecycle for clothing and accessories from concept ideation through sampling, production, launch, and post-launch optimization. In this role, you will be a key leader driving the creation of innovative, trend-driven apparel products to market, managing cross-functional teams, and supporting business growth in the fashion industry. You will be responsible for executing the product vision, merchandising strategy, and calendar roadmap, ensuring alignment with the company’s overall brand and strategic objectives. Onsite in the Valley.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy and Execution: Contribute to and execute the long-term product vision, seasonal strategy, and development roadmap for all apparel categories. Conduct market trend analysis, competitive brand research, and customer fittings/feedback sessions to identify new product opportunities and drive innovation in materials and silhouettes.
• Product Lifecycle Management: Manage all stages of apparel development, including trend research, fabric/trim sourcing, technical design, sample review (proto, fit, size set), production handover, and quality assurance. Implement and maintain product development best practices and timelines (T&A).
• Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and manage a team of product managers, technical designers, and sourcing specialists. Foster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing team culture.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with Design, Merchandising, Production, Sourcing, Marketing, and Sales teams to ensure successful product launches, accurate costing, and timely market delivery. Act as a primary liaison between technical/design teams and business stakeholders.
• Financial and Performance Management: Track and manage key performance indicators (KPIs) for product success, including margin targets, style adoption rates, and development lead times. Manage the product development budget and resource allocation.
• Customer Advocacy: Serve as the internal voice of the customer, deeply understanding wearer needs, fit preferences, and fashion market trends to inform product development decisions.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Apparel/Fashion Design, Product Development, Merchandising, or a related field.
• Experience: 8+ years of experience in apparel product development or management, with a proven track record of bringing successful products to market.
• Leadership: Experience managing and mentoring direct reports (product developers, technical designers, or coordinators).
• Technical Skills: Strong understanding of garment construction, fabric performance, fit, and the technical design process. Proficiency in PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) software and Adobe Creative Suite is highly preferred.
• Skills: Excellent communication, project management, costing/negotiation skills, and the ability to manage tight timelines (T&A).