Product Development Manager - Athleisure & Outerwear

About the Role

The Product Development Manager - Athleisure & Outerwear will own the end-to-end development and execution of assigned apparel categories. This role sits at the intersection of product innovation, trend strategy, business analytics, technical development, and customer experience.

The ideal candidate brings a strong eye for product aesthetics and trends, commercial business acumen, and hands-on product development expertise. You will analyze sales performance, consumer insights, and market opportunities to drive product innovation while working closely with Design and overseas vendors to elevate product appearance, fit, fabrics, construction, and overall quality.

You will partner cross-functionally with Design, Merchandising, Sourcing, Fabric Development, QA, Production, and Marketing to bring innovative, comfort-first products to market while driving profitability, quality, and speed to launch.

Key Responsibilities

Product Strategy, Analytics & Innovation

• Analyze sales performance, including revenue, sell-through, AUR, margins, and product profitability, to identify opportunities for growth.
• Conduct market research, competitive analysis, and consumer trend assessments to inform product development and innovation.
• Translate business insights and consumer needs into commercially viable product recommendations.
• Conduct competitive market analysis to evaluate product positioning, identify market opportunities, and recommend target retail pricing and product costs to achieve margin and profitability objectives.
• Partner with Design and Merchandising to support product roadmaps, assortment strategies, and new product opportunities.
• Identify innovative materials, fabrics, construction techniques, and functional features that differentiate Comfrt in the market.

Product Development & Execution

• Strong technical expertise in high-performance athleisure and outerwear, with a deep understanding of innovative fabric technologies, functional materials, garment construction, and performance features.
• Strong eye for fashion and emerging performance trends, with the ability to translate technical innovations and athletic influences into elevated, fashion-forward apparel with commercial appeal.
• Extensive knowledge of performance fabrics and technologies, including moisture-wicking, breathability, temperature regulation, cooling, stretch and recovery, water resistance, insulation, and other functional innovations.
• Ability to balance technical performance, comfort, fashion, and commercial viability to create differentiated products that resonate with today's consumers.
• Manage the product development lifecycle from concept through production approval across assigned apparel categories.
• Partner with Design, Technical Design, Fabric Development, and Sourcing to execute product concepts while maintaining design integrity.
• Oversee sampling, fit approvals, materials, construction, costing, and product specifications.
• Manage development calendars, critical milestones, and production handoffs to ensure on-time launches.
• Proactively identify development challenges, recommend solutions, and drive timely execution.

Costing, Quality & Vendor Management

• Partner with Sourcing to achieve target product costs, retail pricing, and margin objectives.
• Identify value-engineering opportunities without compromising product quality, fit, or functionality.
• Work directly with overseas vendors, demonstrating a strong understanding of manufacturing processes, production lead times, and critical milestones. Partner with Quality Assurance to ensure products meet Comfrt's quality and performance standards.
• Analyze consumer feedback, returns, and product performance to drive continuous improvement.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with Design, Merchandising, Planning, Sourcing, Production, and Marketing to align product development with business objectives.
• Maintain accurate development trackers, product specifications, costing, and project documentation.
• Communicate product status, risks, opportunities, and recommendations to cross-functional partners and leadership.
• Drive accountability, problem-solving, and continuous improvement across the development process.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Product Development, Fashion Merchandising, Apparel Design, Business, or related field.
• 7+ years of apparel product development, product management or merchandising experience within fashion, lifestyle, or consumer brands.
• Strong understanding of apparel construction, fabrics, fit, costing, and manufacturing processes.
• Strong analytical skills with experience interpreting sales performance, market research, and consumer insights.
• Experience working directly with overseas manufacturers and managing development timelines.
• Strong fashion and market awareness with the ability to identify commercially relevant trends and innovation opportunities.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel or Google Sheets; experience with PLM systems preferred.
• Excellent project management, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in product development, specifically Athleisure.
• Experience in a fast-growing DTC or omnichannel retail business.
• Proven ability to translate sales data and consumer insights into successful product opportunities.
• Experience working autonomously in a remote or hybrid environment while maintaining strong cross-functional collaboration.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with strong business acumen, attention to detail, and a sense of urgency.

Who You Are

• You are a commercially minded, analytical product professional who understands the connection between great products and business performance.
• You combine a strong eye for trends and innovation with technical product development expertise and financial understanding.
• You are proactive, resourceful, collaborative, and comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.