Product Development Manager

<h3><strong>About Lola Blankets</strong></h3> <p>Lola Blankets is a fast-growing, design-driven brand creating the world’s most loved faux-fur blankets. With a devoted community, strong influencer presence, and rapid scale, we are redefining what comfort and style mean for the home.&nbsp;</p> <h3><strong>About the Role:</strong></h3> <p>We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Product Development Manager to lead the seasonal product development lifecycle from concept through pre-production. This role serves as the operational backbone of the product creation process, ensuring cross-functional alignment, vendor execution, and on-time delivery of seasonal mainline and collaboration drops.</p> <p>The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, high-growth DTC environment and brings strong project management rigor, vendor communication expertise, and a deep understanding of apparel or soft goods development processes.</p> <h3><strong>Key Responsibilities:</strong></h3> <h4><strong>Seasonal Development Ownership</strong></h4> <ul> <li>Manage the end-to-end product development process for seasonal mainline and collaboration drops from initial concept through pre-production.</li> <li>Build and maintain seasonal product development calendars, ensuring milestone adherence across all categories.</li> </ul> <h3><strong>Track deliverables across proto, color sampling, photo shoot sampling, PR sampling, and pre-production stages to mitigate timeline risk.</strong></h3> <h4><strong>Cross-Functional Partnership</strong></h4> <ul> <li>Partner closely with Design, Sourcing, and Merchandising to align on product strategy, costing targets, and launch timing.</li> <li>Ensure design intent is executed within margin parameters and sourcing capabilities.</li> </ul> <h3><strong>Facilitate cross-functional meetings and provide clear status updates on development progress.</strong></h3> <h4><strong>Vendor Management &amp; Communication</strong></h4> <ul> <li>Serve as the primary point of contact with vendors during proto development, color sampling, and pre-production phases.</li> <li>Partner with Tech Design to consolidate and communicate fit comments, construction updates, and material approvals.</li> <li>Proactively identify and resolve development challenges related to timing, quality, or costing.</li> </ul> <h4><strong>Technical Documentation &amp; Process Management</strong></h4> <ul> <li>Partner with Design to initiate and maintain Bills of Materials (BOMs), tech packs, and product specification documents.</li> <li>Ensure documentation accuracy and version control throughout the development lifecycle.</li> <li>Support the establishment and maintenance of quality control (QC) processes and standards.</li> <li>Track and approve lab dips, strike-offs, and material submissions in partnership with Design and Sourcing.</li> </ul> <h4><strong>Operational Excellence</strong></h4> <ul> <li>Monitor margin targets, sampling costs, and development expenses, as appropriate.</li> <li>Identify process improvements to streamline development workflows in a scaling organization.</li> <li>Maintain meticulous records and documentation to support scalable growth.</li> </ul> <h3><strong>Qualifications:</strong></h3> <ul> <li>4+ years of experience in product development at a fast-growing DTC apparel or home goods brand, at the Associate Manager or Manager level.</li> <li>Strong understanding of garment construction, sampling workflows, and vendor product development and production processes.</li> <li>Experience managing development calendars and seasonal timelines.</li> <li>Demonstrated ability to manage BOMs, tech packs, and QC documentation with precision.</li> <li>Exceptional organizational skills and acute attention to detail.</li> <li>Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to manage overseas vendor relationships.</li> <li>Proficiency in Excel proficiency required. Experience in PLM systems a plus.</li> <li>Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising, Product Development, or related field preferred.</li> </ul> <h3><strong>What We Offer:</strong></h3> <ul> <li>Competitive salary</li> <li>Comprehensive benefits package (health, dental, vision, PTO)</li> <li>401K with company match</li> <li>Paid time off and holidays</li> <li>An opportunity to make a direct impact on a high-growth, design-forward brand</li> <li>A collaborative, passionate, and purpose-driven team</li> </ul>