Job Description

Summary /Objective

The Sourcing Product Development Manager for Footwear & Hardgoods is responsible for overseeing the sourcing, development, and commercialization of new swim product such as goggle, caps, swim equipment along with footwear products with a focus on mold creation and tooling. This role bridges design, engineering, and manufacturing to ensure products are developed on time, within budget, and to quality standards.

Key responsibilities include managing vendor relationships (especially mold and tooling suppliers), sourcing materials and components, optimizing cost-efficiency, and ensuring technical feasibility during development. The manager collaborates closely with design, product, production and factory teams to align on aesthetics, performance, and manufacturability while ensuring products are engineered to meet production and brand standards.

Position Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

Calendar Management

• Develop and maintain seasonal product development calendars aligned with company milestones and go-to-market timelines.
• Ensure timely execution of each development phase, including mold creation, sample reviews, and production readiness.
• Proactively identify and resolve schedule risks to keep projects on track.

Costing

• Manage initial cost estimates and drive cost negotiations with suppliers, with a focus on mold/tooling and material costs.
• Partner with merchandising team to achieve margin targets without compromising quality or design intent.
• Analyze cost drivers and identify opportunities for cost optimization throughout the development cycle.

Project Management

• Lead cross-functional teams (design, development, engineering, and manufacturing) through the end-to-end product development process.
• Track multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring on-time delivery, budget adherence, and clear communication at all stages.
• Maintain detailed documentation of development milestones, changes, and approvals.

Quality Control / Testing

• Oversee mold and product sample evaluations for fit, function, and finish during all development stages.
• Coordinate lab and field testing (e.g., durability, wear testing) to ensure products meet performance and safety standards.
• Collaborate with quality assurance teams at factory to insure all necessary testing is completed

Compliance Standards

• Ensure all materials, components, and finished products meet regional and global regulatory requirements
• Stay updated on industry compliance standards and work with suppliers to ensure adherence.
• Support documentation and certification processes for audits and brand sustainability goals.
• Ensure all packing and product meets global labeling requirements

Qualifications and Competencies:

• Strong understanding of mold development processes for footwear & swim product compression / injection mold processes
• Proven ability to manage mold tooling timelines, revisions, and technical feasibility during product development.
• Ability to connect product development projects to broader business goals, such as margin targets, speed-to-market, and brand positioning.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (e.g., cost modeling, data analysis, pivot tables, VLOOKUP).
• Familiarity with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive); experience collaborating in cloud-based environments a plus.
• Clear and concise communicator—able to relay technical information to cross-functional teams, vendors, and factories effectively.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks in fast-paced, calendar-driven environments.
• Demonstrated success in working with cross-functional teams, including Design, Development, Sourcing, Production, & Merchandising.
• Detail-oriented with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make decisions under tight deadlines.
• Ability to work independently while fostering collaborative relationships across regions and cultures.

Education and Experience –

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Engineering, Supply Chain, Product Development, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience).
• 5–8 years of experience in footwear product development, sourcing, or mold/tooling management, preferably within a global brand or manufacturer.
• Experience managing the end-to-end development lifecycle from concept through commercialization
• Familiarity with materials testing, quality assurance standards, and compliance protocols
• Background in managing costing, timelines, and technical specifications in a cross-functional team environment

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