Product Development Manager, SMU

About the role

The Product Development Manager, SMU leads the end-to-end development process for special projects (apparel and graphics) from initial concept through final sample approval and production handoff. This role is responsible for ensuring margin targets, quality standards, design intent, and calendar milestones are achieved while driving operational excellence and cross-functional alignment. The Manager oversees the seasonal development pipeline, strengthens global vendor partnerships, and provides direct leadership and mentorship to the Product Development Associate and Product Development Assistant. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-driven, and thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment where precision and proactive communication are essential to success.

Established in 2011 in New York City, Kith is a lifestyle brand and specialty retailer that offers seasonal collections of men’s, women’s and children’s apparel, accessories and footwear through a distinct lens of personal storytelling. Kith embodies a multi-faceted lifestyle, with uncompromising detail to fabrication and design. Led by Founder, CEO and Creative Director Ronnie Fieg, the brand is known globally for evoking nostalgia from a dynamic point of view, and working closely with a carefully selected set of best-in-class collaborators. Kith operates 16 standalone boutiques around the world, and 3 shop-in-shops. Kith Treats, conceived from Fieg’s childhood love for cereal, operates in 10 locations, as well as Sadelle’s at Kith restaurants in Paris, Miami Design District, Toronto and Seoul. The Kinnect Foundation, a non-profit established and operated by Kith, is a non-profit devoted to creating positive change through education, community and social impact.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily direction, coaching, mentorship, and performance management for the Product Development Associate and Product Development Assistant.
• Identify operational gaps and implement process improvements to enhance transparency, speed, and cross-functional alignment.
• Manage the product lifecycle from initial sketch through pre-production samples, collaborating closely with Design, Production, and cross-functional partners.
• Meet weekly with Design and Materials teams to review outstanding collections, development status, timelines, fabrics, trims, and allocation needs.
• Own launching development trials for new techniques, materials, or constructions as needed each season.
• Oversee and maintain trim, lining, denim, and yarn libraries across all factories.
• Oversee the accuracy of tech packs, BOMs, costing sheets, and all style information within PLM and internal systems.
• Manage seasonal trim development, including requesting, tracking, and reviewing TDS for accuracy, and flagging any discrepancies, as well as the Trim Development Tracking Chart.
• Maintain accurate and complete product data within PLM and internal systems.
• Build and maintain seasonal WIP once collections are confirmed, ensuring all style details are accurate and up to date.
• Manage all proto, fit, SMS, and costing rounds to ensure quality, design integrity, and margin targets are met.
• Own and enforce adherence to seasonal calendars, proactively anticipating risks and driving timely solutions.
• Ensure samples align with design intent, quality standards, and timeline requirements.
• Communicate daily with vendors and factories regarding development status, samples, pricing, MOQs, and both sampling and bulk timelines.
• Review weekly factory WIPs and update shared tracking tools accordingly.
• Support cost analysis, margin targets, and pricing discussions, leading cost negotiations with suppliers as needed without compromising design intent.
• Build, manage, and optimize relationships with global factories to support quality execution and long-term brand goals.
• Serve as a key liaison between Design, Merchandising, Production, and Technical Design throughout the development process.