Senior Manager of Product Development – Soft Goods

Senior Manager of Product Development

– Soft Goods | Job #14039 | Full-time | Hybrid | Los Angeles

Length of Assignment:

Full-time

Pay Rate:

$135,000-$150,000 (Depending on experience)

Job Description:

We’re currently looking for a Senior Manager of Product Development – Soft Goods, a strategic and innovative product leader with a strong background in baby/infant soft goods, product development, and retail. This leader will help shape the future direction of a growing product portfolio, bringing together product strategy, design, sourcing, and commercial thinking. This is a full-time, hybrid opportunity with four days onsite in Los Angeles, CA. At this time, we are only considering candidates located in California.

About our Client:

• An established consumer products company specializing in baby, juvenile, and family-focused products sold through major retail channels.
• A design-driven organization with a growing focus on product innovation, new categories, and commercially relevant product lines.
• A collaborative team looking for a hands-on leader who can help establish a stronger product vision and long-term growth strategy.

Your Expertise:

• Strong background in baby/infant soft goods or juvenile products, with a deep understanding of materials, construction, manufacturing, and product development.
• A strategic product thinker who can identify market opportunities, consumer trends, retail needs, and new product categories and translate them into viable product concepts.
• An inspiring people leader who can mentor designers, collaborate across Design, Sourcing, Sales, and Marketing, and bring a strong creative and business perspective to the organization.

Your Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of new soft-goods products from initial concept through production, ensuring products meet creative, functional, quality, and cost expectations.
• Partner with Design and Sourcing to turn concepts into well-defined products while working directly with vendors and manufacturers throughout development.
• Evaluate current product assortments and identify opportunities to enhance existing products, introduce new categories, and expand the overall portfolio.
• Research consumer behavior, industry trends, competitive products, and retail assortments to identify growth opportunities.
• Assess major retail accounts and their category needs to determine where the company can expand its presence and develop commercially viable products.
• Create and communicate a forward-looking product vision and line strategy that supports the company’s growth objectives.
• Provide product guidance to designers and cross-functional partners, ensuring concepts are appropriately translated into finished products.
• Collaborate with licensing partners when applicable to develop products that effectively balance licensed IP with functionality, innovation, and consumer appeal.
• Oversee and mentor the Los Angeles-based design team while fostering a collaborative, innovative, and accountable culture.
• Work closely with vendors and sourcing partners to evaluate materials, construction, manufacturing capabilities, costing, and quality considerations.
• Help establish stronger product development processes and bring a more integrated Design + Product + Sourcing approach to the organization.

Requirements:

• 6+ years of progressive experience in product development, product design, or a related discipline, preferably within baby, infant, juvenile, children’s, or soft goods.
• Demonstrated experience bringing soft-goods products from concept to commercialization.
• Strong knowledge of product construction, materials, manufacturing, costing, sourcing, and quality control.
• Experience working with retailers, consumer products, or mass-market accounts.
• Ability to evaluate market and consumer trends and translate insights into compelling product opportunities.
• Strong understanding of the relationship between product design, brand strategy, retail requirements, and business objectives.
• Previous experience managing or mentoring designers and leading cross-functional teams.
• Strong communication, presentation, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Comfortable working directly with vendors, suppliers, and manufacturing partners.
• Experience with licensed products or licensing partners is highly desirable.
• A collaborative, forward-thinking leadership style with strong emotional intelligence, accountability, and the ability to inspire a team.
• Bachelor’s degree in Product Design, Industrial Design, Fashion Design, Textiles, or a related field preferred.