Product Manager

Overview

Join a team that thrives on creativity and innovation! As a Manager of Product Development with Aquent, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of a beloved American brand, partnering cross-functionally to bring exciting product lines to life. Your expertise in product development will be essential in maintaining the brand’s aesthetic and quality while driving cost efficiencies. This is your chance to make a real impact on a brand that values its legacy while constantly looking ahead.
As a Manager of Product Development, you will be a key player in the product creation process, collaborating with teams to execute design and merchandising strategies while achieving financial targets. You’ll bridge the gap between design vision and practical execution, ensuring that every product reflects the brand’s identity and meets market demands.
What You’ll Do:

• Develop and implement product development strategies aligned with production strategies and overall business goals.
• Provide expert guidance on product development considerations, informing design and merchandising decisions based on category or vendor strategies.
• Utilize technical expertise and leadership support to address and resolve complex product development challenges.
• Lead and mentor an Associate Manager or operate as an individual contributor, guiding the execution of product development strategies that uphold brand aesthetics, product quality, and cost optimization.
• Facilitate seamless communication between brand teams and Asia-based product teams to maintain strategic alignment and responsiveness.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure financial targets are met by providing costing guidance.
• Manage development metrics established for the global brand.
• Drive responsive strategies by collaborating with cross-functional teams to identify fabrics for rapid response and test-and-respond initiatives.
• Spearhead fabric strategies by developing products that meet fabric expectations and providing recommendations on fabrics to platform, position, and leverage, including exploring VOS qualities.
• Foster the career development of direct reports and provide input on performance/talent assessments for dotted line relationships, if applicable.

Must-Haves:

• Extensive global product development experience, demonstrating a strong understanding of design, merchandising, and vendor/category management.
• Proven ability to proactively solve problems and effectively manage multiple challenges concurrently.
• Experience operating within a highly matrixed global organization, collaborating effectively within cross-functional product teams (Design, Merchandising, Tech Design, Quality Assurance, Sustainability, Fabric Research and Development, and Global Sourcing).
• Strong management and collaboration skills, coupled with meticulous attention to detail and business acumen, ensuring product flows smoothly through the pipeline and meets key milestones to satisfy product-to-market (P2M) demands.
• Proven experience executing multi-year operational goals, incorporating knowledge of production trade regulations, testing protocols, product integrity, production cycle timelines, fabric and garment construction, and retail math.
• Ability to influence and make decisions cross-functionally in a matrixed environment where speed and cultural sensitivity are paramount.
• Demonstrated professional presence, presentation, influencing, and collaboration skills across a broader team.
• Proven ability to lead without authority, influencing others and driving informed decision-making.
• Demonstrated curiosity and motivation to develop new skills and knowledge continuously.
• Experience managing dynamic projects, adapting effectively to obstacles and changes as they arise.

The target hiring compensation range for this role is $51.42 to $57.14 an hour. Compensation is based on several factors including, but not limited to education, relevant work experience, relevant certifications, and location.
About Aquent Talent:
Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world’s biggest brands.
Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. More information on our awesome benefits!
Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We’re about creating an inclusive environment—one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.

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