Product Development Assistant

We’re looking for an experienced Accessories Product Development/Production professional to support a fast-paced team in New York City.

This opportunity focuses on accessories development, raw material coordination, vendor communication, sampling, and production support. The ideal candidate will bring strong experience with leathers, materials, BOMs, seasonal collections, and external manufacturing partners.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage daily communication with external manufacturers, component suppliers, and vendors.
• Partner with Design, Product Development, and Production teams throughout the development process.
• Support the development of seasonal accessories collections.
• Ensure products meet aesthetic, cost, functionality, quality, delivery, and manufacturing requirements.
• Manage and maintain product development and manufacturing calendars.
• Help improve product accuracy and reduce development lead times.
• Participate in prototype, pre-production, and BOM meetings.
• Evaluate leathers and raw materials for quality, functionality, construction, and cost-effectiveness.
• Coordinate raw material orders with suppliers for sampling.
• Track sample development, material availability, and production timelines.
• Communicate sample corrections, revisions, and approvals to external partners.
• Coordinate correction comments and finished goods orders for Production handoff.
• Maintain accurate product development documentation and tracking reports.
• Identify and resolve development and production issues.
• Support clear communication between internal teams and external manufacturing partners.

Qualifications:

• Experience in Accessories Product Development, Raw Materials, or Production.
• Background in handbags, leather goods, footwear, or fashion accessories preferred.
• Luxury fashion experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of leathers, materials, construction, and manufacturing processes.
• Experience working with manufacturers, component suppliers, and external vendors.
• Knowledge of BOMs, prototypes, sampling, and pre-production processes.
• Experience managing product development calendars and production timelines.
• Ability to assess materials for quality, functionality, and cost.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, proactive, and able to manage multiple deadlines.
• Must be comfortable working fully onsite in New York City.

Required Technical Skills:

• Accessories Product Development
• Leather and Raw Material Evaluation
• Vendor and Manufacturer Communication
• Component Supplier Coordination
• BOMs and Material Documentation
• Prototype and Pre-Production Meetings
• Sample Tracking and Approvals
• Product Development Calendars
• Material Ordering and Sampling
• Cost, Quality, and Manufacturing Requirements
• Production Handoffs and Correction Comments
• Microsoft Excel
• PLM or Product Development Systems preferred