Product Development Manager

The Role:

The Product Development Manager is responsible for leading and optimizing American Tall's end-to-end product development process, ensuring products are delivered on time, within company standards, and aligned with seasonal business objectives. This role acts as the central project management and leadership function within Product Development, partnering closely with Merchandising, Planning, Design, Sourcing, Production, and external vendor partners to drive execution across the product lifecycle.

The Product Development Manager oversees development calendars, workflow management, vendor communications, PLM governance, and team performance while ensuring the successful execution of product milestones. This role is

accountable for maintaining development accuracy, improving operational efficiencies, identifying and mitigating risks, and fostering a high-performing PD team through coaching, collaboration, and continuous process improvement. The successful candidate combines strong apparel product expertise, leadership and team building skills, and business acumen to support American Tall's commitment to delivering premium products and exceptional customer experiences.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT LEADERSHIP

• Leads the end-to-end product development process, ensuring seasonal milestones, timelines, and deliverables are achieved. Partners with Merchandising, Technical Design Management (TDM), and cross-functional teams to align priorities, resources, and execution.
• Reviews and approves seasonal development calendars and monitors adherence throughout the product lifecycle.
• Establishes and maintains product development tracking, reporting, and workflow management tools to ensure visibility and accountability.
• Anticipates and communicates development risks, challenges, and delays, implementing solutions to minimize business impact.
• Provides regular development updates, insights, and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Ensures products are developed in accordance with quality standards, business objectives, and delivery expectations.

TEAM LEADERSHIP & PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

• Leads the Product Development team members through ongoing feedback, one-on-one coaching and mentorship.
• Partners with the TDM to balance workloads, allocate resources effectively, and support team performance. Conducts performance reviews and collaborates with Human Resources on employee development, compensation recommendations, succession planning, and retention initiatives.
• Manages vacation schedules and departmental coverage to ensure operational continuity.
• Fosters a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture through engagement initiatives and team-building activities.

OPERATIONAL EXCELLECE & SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT

• Maintains ownership of development tracking tools (PD Trackers), PLM processes, libraries, project workflows, and reporting requirements.
• Leads vendor development meetings and ensures effective communication and follow-through throughout the development lifecycle.
• Identifies and implements new SOPs to improve workflow, consistency, and visibility of styles throughout their development journey

Experience, Education, & Designations

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in Fashion, Apparel, Product Development, Merchandising, Textile Management, Business, or a related field; equivalent industry experience will be considered.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in apparel Product Development, Product Management, Merchandising, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of people leadership, team management, or mentorship experience.
• Strong knowledge of apparel product development, garment construction, fabrics, trims, costing, sourcing, and international manufacturing processes.
• Experience working with offshore factories, global vendor partners, and international supply chains.
• Experience managing cross-functional projects and seasonal development calendars.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and Outlook.
• Experience with PLM systems such as WFX, Centric, Backbone, or equivalent platforms.Experience with project management systems such as Asana or similar workflow management tools.
• Direct-to-consumer, retail, or e-commerce apparel experience is considered an asset.

Knowledge, Skills, & Attributes

• Strong interpersonal skills including analytical, problem-solving, organizational, issue resolution, and internal/external relationship management.
• Decisive and strategic leader with a proven track record.
• Passionate about mentoring, coaching, and training team members according to individual goals and objectives.
• Comprehensive knowledge of cross-functional responsibilities and the product creation timeline, from design through finished product.
• Experience dealing with offshore sourcing and international manufacturing is an asset.
• Self-motivated, strong sense of urgency, collaborative approach.
• Thrive in a fast-paced, cross-functional team environment.
• Ability to work through others by delegating and distributing work to meet goals.