Direct-Hire- Sr Manager of Product Development & Production – Onsite- New York

A leading luxury fashion house is seeking a Senior Manager of Product Development & Production (RTW) to oversee the development process across multiple ready-to-wear categories. This role will manage the lifecycle of product from early design concept through commercialization and final production delivery. The position works closely with Design, Merchandising, Materials, and Technical teams to ensure garments meet luxury standards while staying aligned with development timelines and production goals.

Position Overview:
This role is responsible for managing the end-to-end product development process for RTW collections, ensuring designs translate successfully into production-ready garments. The ideal candidate will work closely with design and technical teams to guide development, troubleshoot construction details, and ensure product is delivered on time while maintaining brand quality and cost expectations. This position will also collaborate directly with overseas factory partners to manage development milestones and bulk production.

Key Responsibilities:
• Collaborate with Design teams to support the creative vision while maintaining development feasibility and cost targets
• Manage development calendars and ensure milestones are achieved across the product lifecycle
• Participate in sketch and development handoffs to evaluate construction feasibility and execution
• Provide guidance on garment construction, development best practices, and problem-solving during development stages
• Launch styles to overseas factories with detailed development instructions and expectations
• Maintain accurate Bill of Materials (BOM) information within RLM systems
• Communicate regularly with sample makers, patternmakers, and technical teams regarding updates and revisions
• Track product progress through proto, SMS, and production fitting stages
• Partner with Merchandising and Sales teams to review costing and flag potential margin risks during development
• Monitor factory WIP and development progress to ensure on-time sample and bulk delivery
• Ensure product meets global quality, testing, and compliance standards
• Identify opportunities to streamline development workflows and improve operational efficiency
• Work cross-functionally to support decision-making and maintain alignment across teams

Qualifications:
• 7+ years of experience in RTW product development, production, and costing
• Experience managing development across multiple categories including woven and knit product
• Strong understanding of luxury garment construction and development processes
• Experience working directly with overseas factory partners
• Proficiency with RLM systems, BOM creation, and development documentation
• Advanced Excel skills and strong technical/computer proficiency
• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Product Development, or a related field
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Strong problem-solving abilities with a proactive and solution-oriented mindset