Product Development, Rugs

Description

Product Development is responsible for translating category strategy into fully executable, production-ready products. This role owns product execution end-to-end — including specifications, PLM accuracy, sampling, and development timelines — ensuring products meet design intent, quality standards, cost targets, and delivery requirements. The PD partners closely with the GM, Design, and Sourcing to enable on-time, on-cost, and on-quality product launches that aligned with the overall product strategy.

Requirements

Product Execution & PLM Ownership

• •Own PLM accuracy and completeness , ensuring all product specifications, tech packs, and packaging details are correct and up to date, working with Product Coordinators to ensure is updated accurately
• •Translate GM line plans and strategy into clear product briefs for Design and Sourcing.
• •Ensure tech packs meet defined completeness and readiness standards prior to sampling.
• •Proactively identify execution risks related to materials, construction, quality, or lead times and escalate with clear options.
• •Own daily vendor follow-up through WFX/PLM (agents and makers), ensuring development milestones, sample submissions, and production timelines stay on track.

Design & Development Coordination

• •Partner with Design to develop products that align with category strategy, brand standards, and customer requirements.
• •Support the line planning process by identifying trends and new constructions, problem-solving the overall product strategy to ensure we have the right products for each customer to drive market share.
• •Manage the development calendar from concept through sample approval.
• •Iterate designs based on customer, sales, and internal feedback while maintaining design integrity.
• •Regularly shop the market to identify and understand product and retailer trends; support creation of trend boards
• •Review art files, make minor adjustments as needed, and authorize release to overseas agents.
• •Direct pantone/CSI ordering and maintain color reference standards to support design team execution.

Sampling & Quality Execution

• •Coordinate with Sourcing to request, receive, and review samples against specifications.
• •Conduct initial quality and construction reviews prior to GM approval.
• •Ensure samples meet functional, aesthetic, and quality expectations.
• •Complete and submit brand product approval forms for required brands; follow up with brand and PD contacts to secure timely approvals.

Cost & Margin Support

• •Support Sourcing in cost development by ensuring specs are optimized and manufacturable.
• •Flag cost or feasibility risks early to the GM.
• •Validate that product execution supports GM margin targets.
• •Develop first cost where possible with input from Sales.

Go-to-Market Support

• •Prepare finalized product information and samples for customer presentations.
• •Support Sales and the GM with product knowledge, specs, execution details, and presentations. Join customer meetings as requested
• •Ensure final approved SKUs are correctly entered and locked prior to production.
• •Prepare materials for line reviews, including product summaries, sample staging, and supporting data for GM-led presentations.
• •Prepare for, attend, and recap internal and external meetings; ensure action items are documented and followed through.

Cross-Functional Program Management

• •Drive cross-departmental collaboration across CAD, design, packaging, sourcing, sales, and QC to ensure program status progression stays on track.
• •Serve as the single execution thread for the category, proactively identifying and resolving cross-functional bottlenecks before they impact timelines.
• •Direct and oversee Coordinator resources for sample logistics, library management, and administrative support tasks.

Success Measures

• •On-time development milestones and sample readiness
• •PLM and tech pack accuracy
• •Product quality and execution consistency
• •Smooth handoff from development to sourcing and production

Qualifications

• •Strong product development and execution expertise.
• •Highly detail-oriented with strong process discipline.
• •Ability to manage multiple SKUs/collections and timelines concurrently.
• •Collaborative mindset with strong cross-functional communication skills.
• •Ability to travel, including overseas.

Education & Experience

• •Bachelor’s degree required.
• •5–8+ years of experience in product development, preferably in home goods, textiles, or consumer goods.
• •Direct experience working with PLM systems, tech packs, and overseas sourcing partners.