Design & Product Development Manager

Right Hand to the Creative Director

Location: New York, NY
Type: Full-Time / In-Person
Department: Design / Product Development

About the Role:

We are seeking a highly organized, detail-oriented Design & Product Development Manager to work directly with our Creative Director, essentially serving as her right hand.

This person will help translate the Creative Director’s vision into finished garments — supporting everything from concept development, fabric selection, fittings, sample execution and production handoff.

Our studio has an in-house patternmaker and seamstress, so this role requires someone who understands garment construction, luxury finishing, fabrics, fit, and the full design development process.

Key Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Creative Director to execute seasonal collections, capsule drops, custom pieces, and special projects
• Translate creative concepts into clear direction for the in-house atelier team
• Support fabric, trim, lining, closure, embellishment, and finishing selections
• Source and organize materials from mills and vendors
• Maintain fabric cards, swatch libraries, trim boards, design notes, and development binders
• Act as the daily bridge between the Creative Director, patternmaker, seamstress, and external vendors
• Track sample development, pattern updates, sewing priorities, corrections, and deadlines
• Lead fittings and take clear, detailed fit notes to pass off to the patternmaker for corrections.
• Coordinate with local vendors, sample rooms, fabric suppliers, trim suppliers, embroiderers, pleaters, cleaners, and production partners
• Own product launch readiness and pass off both in house and for external suppliers.

Ideal Background

• 5+ years of experience in luxury fashion design or product development, atelier coordination a plus.
• Strong communication and leadership skills with the ability to turn creative feedback into clear next steps
• Experience in luxury ready-to-wear, eveningwear, bridal, couture, or custom garments preferred
• Strong understanding of garment construction, fit, patternmaking language, fabrics, trims, sewing techniques, and luxury finishing
• Experience working directly with designers, creative directors, patternmakers, seamstresses, sample rooms, or factories
• Strong eye for silhouette, proportion, drape, quality, and detail
• Highly organized, proactive, calm under pressure, and solutions-oriented
• Comfortable managing multiple styles, deadlines, vendors, and priorities at once
• Knowledge of the NYC Garment District and local vendors is a strong plus

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of garment construction and luxury finishing
• Ability to read sketches, patterns, fit notes, tech packs, and garment comments
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Google Workspace, Excel/Sheets, or similar tools

Who You Are

• You are the person who helps make the creative vision real
• You understand luxury fashion is built through precision, taste, and execution
• You can communicate with a Creative Director, patternmaker, seamstress, vendor, and cross functional partners.
• You are hands-on, detail-obsessed, and comfortable being close to the garment-making process
• You know how to lead a design process forward and represent your department.