Manager, Product Development (Hybrid - NYC or Santa Monica)

Our Customer is the world's leading music company that owns and operates a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising, and audiovisual content in more than 60 countries. They identify and develop recording artists and songwriters, and produce, distribute and promote the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music to delight and entertain fans around the world.

We are seeking a Product Development Manager on a contract basis to help support our Customer’s business needs. This role is hybrid (3 days remote and 2 days on-site/week) in NYC or Santa Monica, CA.

Responsibilities:

• Execute merchandise production needs for artist-specific e-commerce and touring campaigns
• Partner with label stakeholders to support music merchandise product development and sourcing
• Facilitate product development from sampling through sample approval
• Assist with ideation and development of product concepts
• Negotiate product costs and engineer products to meet retail targets and margin goals
• Allocate production to vendors and manage vendor negotiations
• Oversee pre-production timelines and ensure compliance with product specifications
• Maintain supplier relationships and ensure product integrity throughout the development lifecycle
• Manage timelines and schedules across cross-functional teams, including e-commerce, planning, touring, and creative
• Keep internal documentation and tracking systems up to date
• Utilize PLM systems and project management tools such as Monday boards to manage workflows
• Coordinate with external vendors and internal stakeholders to ensure timely product execution

Skills and Qualifications:

• 3–5+ years of experience in apparel and accessories production or product development
• Experience across multiple apparel segments, including men’s, juniors, and children’s wear
• Strong cost negotiation and product engineering skills
• Experience managing vendor relationships and production allocations
• Experience working with PLM systems and project management tools
• Ability to manage multiple timelines and cross-functional stakeholders
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Experience working with external vendors and internal creative, planning, and merchandising teams
• Retail product development experience acceptable

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Product Development, Textile Science, Fashion Design, or a related field
• Experience in music merchandise production

We offer a competitive salary range for this position. Most candidates who join our team are hired at the median of this range, ensuring fair and equitable compensation based on experience and qualifications.

Contractor benefits are available through our 3rd Party Employer of Record (Available upon completion of waiting period for eligible engagements) Benefits include: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k.

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.