Sr. Manager, Product Development - Personalized Products

Job DescriptionAbout the RoleWe are seeking a highly strategic and technically skilled Sr. Manager, Product Development to lead the transformation of product concepts into scalable, production-ready solutions within our personalization ecosystem. This role serves as the critical link between Merchandising, Design, Sourcing, and Operations, ensuring products are developed with manufacturability, quality, efficiency, and profitability in mind.As a key leader in a vendor-led development environment, you will oversee product feasibility, technical validation, specification development, vendor collaboration, and production readiness. The ideal candidate combines strong product development expertise with a deep understanding of materials, manufacturing processes, and personalization techniques to bring innovative products to market successfully. NOTE: This is a “physical” product development role (i.e., mugs, keepsakes, accessories), NOT digital/software.What You'll DoProduct Feasibility & Technical ValidationEvaluate product concepts for manufacturability, scalability, and margin potential.Identify and mitigate risks related to materials, construction methods, and personalization techniques.Serve as the technical gatekeeper, ensuring products meet business and operational requirements before production.Partner with cross-functional teams to balance customer experience, design intent, and production realities.Product Specifications & Technical DocumentationTranslate design concepts into comprehensive production-ready specifications.Develop and maintain:Technical packs (Tech Packs)Material and component specificationsPersonalization standards and rulesArtwork and file setup guidelinesEnsure all product documentation is accurate, organized, and consistently maintained.Vendor Development & CollaborationPartner closely with Sourcing to assess and select vendor capabilities.Review prototypes, samples, and product development milestones.Provide technical feedback and lead product iteration cycles.Validate vendor readiness to consistently execute personalization requirements and quality standards.Sample & Prototype ManagementOversee the sample development, review, and approval process.Drive timely issue resolution throughout product development.Evaluate prototypes for quality, functionality, and production readiness.Ensure products meet brand standards before commercialization.Production Readiness & Quality AssuranceEnsure all products are fully production-ready prior to launch.Establish and maintain quality assurance standards across product categories.Monitor post-launch product performance and identify improvement opportunities.Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, cost efficiency, and operational excellence.Job Requirements7–10+ years of experience in Product Development, Technical Design or a related field. Proven experience managing product development processes and external vendor relationships. Strong understanding of materials, construction methods, manufacturing processes, and production workflows. Demonstrated ability to assess product feasibility, identify risks, and develop scalable solutions. Exceptional problem-solving, project management, and cross-functional collaboration skills. Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders across multiple functions.Job DetailsJob Type: Full-timeCategory: OtherSalaried: Salaried