Director of Product Development and Global Sourcing

Job Description

Director, Production & Global Sourcing

About The Job

The Director of Product Development and Global Sourcing leads the end-to-end product development process—from first sample through final production—to deliver high-quality, commercially successful products that reflect the brand’s vision and values. This role combines strategic leadership, operational excellence, and cross-functional collaboration to drive margin improvement, product innovation, and supplier performance across global markets.

Responsibilities

Strategy & Vision

• Execute the brand’s long-term product development and global sourcing strategy to align with business objectives and evolving market dynamics.
• Execute initiatives that strengthen capacity, innovation, vendor partnerships, expand regional capabilities, and drive sustainable growth across sourcing regions, including coordination with raw material strategy and execution.

Product Lifecycle Management

• Oversee the complete product lifecycle—from concept, design, and development through bulk production—ensuring seamless alignment across Design, Merchandising, Technical Design, Planning, Agents, and Factories.
• Utilize PLM system to manage product data and costing, track milestones, and improve communication across global teams.
• Create and maintain product development and sourcing calendars to ensure alignment and accountability across all departments.

Cross-Functional & Team Leadership

• Partner with cross-functional peers across Design, Merchandising, Logistics to align product strategy, costing, timelines, and business priorities.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a fun-loving and dedicated team of product development and sourcing professionals.

Margin & Supplier Optimization

• Lead cost-engineering initiatives and vendor negotiations to achieve margin and AUC targets.
• Balance quality, functionality, and commercial objectives to deliver best-in-class value across categories.
• Grow, manage, and evaluate a global vendor base to ensure agility, compliance, and competitiveness.
• Develop partnerships that drive value, reliability, innovation, and shared growth.
• Prepare and oversee seasonal cost and margin reports to support business planning.
• Monitor factory KPIs to track supply chain performance, quality, and delivery metrics, and present actionable insights to leadership.

Compliance & Quality Excellence

• Partner closely with Technical Design and Quality teams to ensure construction, materials, and fit standards meet or exceed brand expectations.
• Collaborate with Vendor Compliance and Testing teams to confirm all products meet regulatory, safety, and performance standards across markets.
• Drive resolution of production challenges while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in global sourcing, product development, and apparel manufacturing.
• Proven success leading complex, multi-country sourcing operations and vendor strategies.
• Experience in children’s wear is preferred.
• Strong leadership and team-building skills with the ability to inspire and develop teams.
• Strong negotiator with deep understanding of cost drivers, vendor economics, and global trade dynamics.
• Technical knowledge of apparel construction, materials, and production processes.
• Proficiency in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems and large data sets.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Organized, analytical, and results-driven with a strategic, growth-oriented mindset.

Salary Range $190-200k