Product Development, Rugs

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.  

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.