Product Development Assistant

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.