Product Development & Sourcing Manager

Job Description

Industry: Retail Apparel and Fashion
Seniority for this role: Mid-Senior level
Company Information We are a fashion-forward multi-brand company seeking the best and brightest talent to join our skilled team in Milan, Italy—a city renowned for its art, architecture, fashion, and cuisine. Our goal is to offer the finest products in the market, create an outstanding workplace, and continuously improve in all aspects. We specialize in creating premium lifestyle products emphasizing simplicity, performance, and sustainability. Our high-quality travel essentials, fashion accessories, and wellness products are designed to enhance daily experiences and overall well-being. We are looking for passionate and talented candidates to join our Operations team and help improve our processes. Who you are You are a creative, detail-oriented person passionate about the product and sourcing. You are looking for a fast-paced environment that will keep you motivated and on your toes! You love to see your ideas become a reality and think outside the box to bring the best to the market. You can assess the market and trends and work with our suppliers to get the job done. You work well with multiple teams throughout our organization to collect feedback and knowledge to make us better and better. You work with our US sales team to show them what we’re made of and guide them in sourcing. Category Responsibilities: Caps, Bags, Backpacks, Outerwear The Details Supplier Qualification and Engagement Develop, lead, and execute purchasing strategies with vendors in China Work with our suppliers, design teams, and product category owners to meet product requirements, including design specs, material review, packaging requests, and costing. Qualify suppliers by performing due diligence on their validity, quality standards and factory visits. Provide feedback by working directly with our sales, design, and production teams to constantly bring innovative products to market while maintaining the profitability of your category assigned through constant review of sales data, material costs, freight calculation, and feedback. Act as liaison between sales and suppliers to support retailer-specific programs Travel domestically and internationally as needed (Asia to meet with our suppliers and factory teams, US for trend inspiration). Occasional domestic travel with members of our sales team to help achieve custom-tailored products for our many valued retail partners. Project management: Manage project timelines, budgets, and resource allocation to deliver products on schedule and within budget. Prototype development and testing: Oversee the creation of prototypes, conduct user testing, and gather feedback to refine product design. Quality assurance: Ensure products meet quality standards and regulatory requirements. Launch planning and execution: Assist with launch strategies, including marketing materials and sales training, to successfully introduce the product. Analyze the market to identify gaps and opportunities to establish brand positioning and consumer insights Frequent market comp shops to maintain up-to-date market knowledge of Cost points, key items, and trends. Identify opportunities for line extension and manufacturing trends and innovations. Communicate via presentations and meetings with our extended operations teams to ensure they have all the necessary tools to optimize the supply chain in our markets. Requirements: 10+ years of experience in product development, sourcing, and supporting the fashion industry. Experience with sourcing and vendor management Strong Project Management Skills Must be a team player with a positive outlook Good negotiation skills in working with suppliers on product and price Must possess strong knowledge of costing, garment construction, pre-production, and production coordination. Ability to work independently, establishing priorities, setting goals, and decision-making Strong analytical skills and challenge the status quo. Must have basic MS Excel and PowerPoint skills Most importantly, you must love the product and want to “own” your categories and see them through to successful execution in stores across the world Ability to handle several tasks and projects simultaneously in a fast-moving environment. Working with global teams and time zones. Education: Bachelor’s degree in business, Engineering, Manufacturing, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Show more Show less