Role Description The Product Development Manager owns the end-to-end execution of fashion-forward, brand relevant products, from concept through market launch. This role sits at the intersection of innovation, product strategy, technical development, and merchandising, ensuring product is brand-right, performance-led, and commercially successful. You will partner closely with Merchandising, Design, Sourcing, QA, Production (as a key execution partner), Operations, Inventory, and Marketing to bring new collections to life while continuously elevating product quality, fabric innovation, and speed to market. This role is for someone deeply obsessed with product, fashion, and detail—from fabric and fit to silhouette and finish—while also understanding how great products must perform in the market. What You Will Do - Product Development & Technical Execution - Own the full product lifecycle from concept through launch - Translate brand vision, performance needs, and trends into technically sound, fashion-forward product - Lead development across performance knits and fleece - Create and maintain detailed tech packs including construction, measurements, materials, trims, and performance requirements - Own fit development, driving fittings to achieve optimal comfort, mobility, and silhouette - Manage prototypes, sampling, wash approvals, and shade consistency - Lead daily communication with vendors to ensure clear execution and timely progress - Fashion, Trend & Fabric Expertise - Maintain a deep understanding of fashion trends, consumer behavior, retail dynamics, and fabric innovation within athleisure and outerwear - Continuously research and stay ahead of fabric trends, new materials, and performance technologies - Proactively test, evolve, and elevate fabrics to improve handfeel, durability, and performance - Partner closely with the Fabric Manager to refine core fabric platforms and drive material innovation - Translate macro and micro trends—across fashion and performance—into brand-right, commercially viable product - Ensure assortments feel current, cohesive, elevated, and differentiated - Collaborate with Design to align silhouettes, color, and materials with brand DNA - Merchandising, Line Planning & Market Strategy - Own competitive market analysis across knit and fleece categories, with a strong understanding of trends, pricing, and white space opportunities - Analyze sales performance, margin, sell-through, returns, and customer feedback to inform product decisions - Deep understanding of the brand demographic, strong eye for trend, understands the intersection of fashion, function, and culture, and can identify meaningful white space opportunities within the market - Drive seasonal line plans, SKU architecture, and assortment strategies within category - Balance core, seasonal, and newness to support growth and innovation - Support pricing strategy based on product value, complexity, and market positioning - Partner with Planning, Finance, and Inventory to align product strategy with forecasts and business targets - Operations & Product Development Execution - Own and manage the product launch calendar, ensuring alignment with seasonal strategies and key commercial moments - Partner with Operations, Production, and Inventory to ensure product delivers on time and in the right selling window - Proactively manage timelines and dependencies, identifying and resolving risks early - Ensure product readiness across development, QA, merchandising, and marketing ahead of launch - Drive cross-functional alignment to support successful, on-time product launches - Cross-Functional Partnership (Including Production) - Partner closely with Production as a key execution partner to ensure smooth handoff from development into bulk - Ensure Production teams receive complete and accurate product information - Collaborate with Sourcing and Finance to balance cost, quality, and performance - Review QA inspection and testing reports in partnership with QA prior to shipment - Proactively identify and resolve risks across fit, fabric, construction, cost, and timing Qualifications - 8+ years of experience in product development and merchandising within athleisure and/or outerwear - Strong technical expertise in performance fabrics, garment construction, and fit - Experience across both knit (athleisure) and woven/insulated outerwear preferred - Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Design, Product Development, Textiles, or related field - Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop - Strong Excel skills (lookups, pivot tables) - Experience with PLM systems and tools like Asana or Notion - Highly organized with strong project management skills - Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills - Ability to operate in a fast-paced, high-growth environment Who You Are - A highly strategic product thinker with the ability to build and articulate clear product strategies - A well-rounded product expert fluent in fabric, fit, performance, and silhouette - Obsessed with great product, with a strong fashion aesthetic and elevated taste level - Fabric-forward and curious, continuously researching and evolving materials to elevate quality and innovation - A hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves operator who takes ownership from idea through execution - Entrepreneurial and innovative, balancing creativity with strong business judgment - A strong fashion and market thinker with a clear point of view on trends and competition - Both creative and data-driven, able to translate insights into action - A clear, confident communicator and strong cross-functional partner - Thrives in a fast-paced, start-up environment with evolving priorities What Success Looks Like - Product launches on time, on brand, and at performance expectations - Fabrics, fit, and construction consistently meet high quality and comfort standards - Assortments are intentional, elevated, and commercially strong - Product decisions are driven by data, customer insight, and market awareness - Cross-functional teams are aligned and execution is seamless - The category scales while maintaining taste level, innovation, and product integrity Benefits - Generous paid time off - Company-covered health insurance - 5% 401k match - Discounts on all Comfrt products