Director of Product Development
Aquent, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Client Location:
Hybrid
in LA (Century City area), NY or ATL $130K-$150K with bonus potential Hours:
Full-time
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 best‑in‑class 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 long‑range 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 high‑level 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
Hybrid
in LA (Century City area), NY or ATL $130K-$150K with bonus potential Hours:
Full-time
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 best‑in‑class 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 long‑range 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 high‑level 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