Director, Product Development
DiversityJobs, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Overview
Placement Type:
Permanent
Salary:
$130,000-150,000 Salary
Plus annual bonus
Start Date:
Apr 12, 2026
*hybrid in LA, NY, or ATL* DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT The Director of Product Development is a senior leadership position responsible for advancing and executing the organizational product strategy for major global B2B partners. This role oversees high-level, cross-functional execution and drives strategic customer growth by delivering bestinclass product solutions and innovation.
As a key strategic leader, you will partner closely with Sales, Design, and Manufacturing to guide high-stakes product decisions, enhance global customer partnerships, and ensure development initiatives deliver measurable business impact. You will manage a high-performing team, strengthen internal development capabilities, and foster a culture of innovation, operational rigor, and customer-centric excellence.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
Product Direction & Strategic Planning
Define and manage longrange product development roadmaps across key accounts, ensuring alignment with corporate growth priorities and manufacturing capabilities.
Identify emerging category opportunities, market whitespace, and innovation pathways to elevate the company's competitive position.
Represent the Product Development function in highlevel client meetings, quarterly business reviews, and executive decision-making forums.
Product Development Excellence
Oversee the end-to-end development lifecycle-from strategic brief and conceptualization to design refinement, sampling, costing, and final approval.
Ensure all product concepts meet rigorous client expectations, trend direction, technical feasibility, margin targets, and sustainability initiatives.
Drive continuous process improvement to ensure speed-to-market, quality control, and high conversion rates from concept to launch.
Supply Chain & Manufacturing Integration
Partner with Supply Chain Management (SCM) to assess supplier capabilities, factory capacity, and material feasibility early in the design phase.
Evaluate and mitigate supply chain risks, including capacity constraints, MOQ restrictions, component sourcing, and regulatory compliance.
Collaborate on cost engineering, margin optimization, and long-term supply planning strategies.
Integrate sustainability goals into sourcing and production decisions, including responsible material alternatives and production efficiency.
Ensure all supply chain assumptions (lead times, costs, risks) are embedded into customer proposals and forecast planning.
Cross-Functional Leadership
Serve as the senior liaison between domestic corporate offices and international manufacturing/engineering teams.
Oversee cross-functional workstreams to resolve complex development challenges and align departmental priorities.
Communicate program strategies, technical risks, and executive decisions to stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
Business Performance & KPIs
Establish and track KPIs for development efficiency, customer conversion rates, portfolio performance, and innovation velocity.
Analyze product performance data and competitive benchmarks to guide future development cycles.
Present quarterly strategic analysis and recommendations to Sales, Product, and Executive Leadership.
People Management & Team Development
Lead, mentor, and grow a professional product development team.
Build a culture rooted in creativity, accountability, and operational excellence.
Strengthen internal knowledge-sharing, process governance, and cross-functional communication frameworks.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Bachelor's degree in Product Development, Business, Industrial Design, or a related field (Master's degree preferred).
Experience: 10+ years of progressive leadership in product development within Beauty, Luxury Goods, Fashion, CPG, or related manufacturing industries.
Account Management: Demonstrated success driving strategic product development for major global B2B or retail partners.
Lifecycle Expertise: Deep technical understanding of the full product lifecycle, from initial concept to global commercialization.
Leadership: Proven experience managing and developing high-performing, globally connected teams.
Business Acumen: Strong ability to translate complex customer needs and market data into strategic product direction.
Software Proficiency: Expert in Microsoft Office; familiarity with Salesforce, NetSuite, and Project Management tools (Monday.com) is preferred.
Travel: Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed to support manufacturing and client relations.
CULTURE & BENEFITS
Influence the long-term product strategy for iconic global consumer brands.
Lead a talented, globally connected team at the intersection of design and manufacturing.
Hybrid in-office work model that values collaboration and flexibility.
Competitive benefits package
#LI-BA1
#app
Placement Type:
Permanent
Salary:
$130,000-150,000 Salary
Plus annual bonus
Start Date:
Apr 12, 2026
*hybrid in LA, NY, or ATL* DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT The Director of Product Development is a senior leadership position responsible for advancing and executing the organizational product strategy for major global B2B partners. This role oversees high-level, cross-functional execution and drives strategic customer growth by delivering bestinclass product solutions and innovation.
As a key strategic leader, you will partner closely with Sales, Design, and Manufacturing to guide high-stakes product decisions, enhance global customer partnerships, and ensure development initiatives deliver measurable business impact. You will manage a high-performing team, strengthen internal development capabilities, and foster a culture of innovation, operational rigor, and customer-centric excellence.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
Product Direction & Strategic Planning
Define and manage longrange product development roadmaps across key accounts, ensuring alignment with corporate growth priorities and manufacturing capabilities.
Identify emerging category opportunities, market whitespace, and innovation pathways to elevate the company's competitive position.
Represent the Product Development function in highlevel client meetings, quarterly business reviews, and executive decision-making forums.
Product Development Excellence
Oversee the end-to-end development lifecycle-from strategic brief and conceptualization to design refinement, sampling, costing, and final approval.
Ensure all product concepts meet rigorous client expectations, trend direction, technical feasibility, margin targets, and sustainability initiatives.
Drive continuous process improvement to ensure speed-to-market, quality control, and high conversion rates from concept to launch.
Supply Chain & Manufacturing Integration
Partner with Supply Chain Management (SCM) to assess supplier capabilities, factory capacity, and material feasibility early in the design phase.
Evaluate and mitigate supply chain risks, including capacity constraints, MOQ restrictions, component sourcing, and regulatory compliance.
Collaborate on cost engineering, margin optimization, and long-term supply planning strategies.
Integrate sustainability goals into sourcing and production decisions, including responsible material alternatives and production efficiency.
Ensure all supply chain assumptions (lead times, costs, risks) are embedded into customer proposals and forecast planning.
Cross-Functional Leadership
Serve as the senior liaison between domestic corporate offices and international manufacturing/engineering teams.
Oversee cross-functional workstreams to resolve complex development challenges and align departmental priorities.
Communicate program strategies, technical risks, and executive decisions to stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
Business Performance & KPIs
Establish and track KPIs for development efficiency, customer conversion rates, portfolio performance, and innovation velocity.
Analyze product performance data and competitive benchmarks to guide future development cycles.
Present quarterly strategic analysis and recommendations to Sales, Product, and Executive Leadership.
People Management & Team Development
Lead, mentor, and grow a professional product development team.
Build a culture rooted in creativity, accountability, and operational excellence.
Strengthen internal knowledge-sharing, process governance, and cross-functional communication frameworks.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Bachelor's degree in Product Development, Business, Industrial Design, or a related field (Master's degree preferred).
Experience: 10+ years of progressive leadership in product development within Beauty, Luxury Goods, Fashion, CPG, or related manufacturing industries.
Account Management: Demonstrated success driving strategic product development for major global B2B or retail partners.
Lifecycle Expertise: Deep technical understanding of the full product lifecycle, from initial concept to global commercialization.
Leadership: Proven experience managing and developing high-performing, globally connected teams.
Business Acumen: Strong ability to translate complex customer needs and market data into strategic product direction.
Software Proficiency: Expert in Microsoft Office; familiarity with Salesforce, NetSuite, and Project Management tools (Monday.com) is preferred.
Travel: Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed to support manufacturing and client relations.
CULTURE & BENEFITS
Influence the long-term product strategy for iconic global consumer brands.
Lead a talented, globally connected team at the intersection of design and manufacturing.
Hybrid in-office work model that values collaboration and flexibility.
Competitive benefits package
#LI-BA1
#app