Product Development Manager - Athleisure & Outerwear

About Comfrt:

About the Role:

Key Responsibilities:

• Product Strategy, Analytics & Innovation
• Analyze sales performance, including revenue, sell-through, AUR, margins, and product profitability, to identify opportunities for growth.
• Conduct market research, competitive analysis, and consumer trend assessments to inform product development and innovation.
• Translate business insights and consumer needs into commercially viable product recommendations.
• Conduct competitive market analysis to evaluate product positioning, identify market opportunities, and recommend target retail pricing and product costs to achieve margin and profitability objectives.
• Partner with Design and Merchandising to support product roadmaps, assortment strategies, and new product opportunities.
• Identify innovative materials, fabrics, construction techniques, and functional features that differentiate Comfrt in the market.
• Product Development & Execution
• Strong technical expertise in high-performance athleisure and outerwear, with a deep understanding of innovative fabric technologies, functional materials, garment construction, and performance features.
• Strong eye for fashion and emerging performance trends, with the ability to translate technical innovations and athletic influences into elevated, fashion-forward apparel with commercial appeal.
• Extensive knowledge of performance fabrics and technologies, including moisture-wicking, breathability, temperature regulation, cooling, stretch and recovery, water resistance, insulation, and other functional innovations.
• Ability to balance technical performance, comfort, fashion, and commercial viability to create differentiated products that resonate with today's consumers.
• Manage the product development lifecycle from concept through production approval across assigned apparel categories.
• Partner with Design, Technical Design, Fabric Development, and Sourcing to execute product concepts while maintaining design integrity.
• Oversee sampling, fit approvals, materials, construction, costing, and product specifications.
• Manage development calendars, critical milestones, and production handoffs to ensure on-time launches.
• Proactively identify development challenges, recommend solutions, and drive timely execution.
• Costing, Quality & Vendor Management
• Partner with Sourcing to achieve target product costs, retail pricing, and margin objectives.
• Identify value-engineering opportunities without compromising product quality, fit, or functionality.
• Work directly with overseas vendors, demonstrating a strong understanding of manufacturing processes, production lead times, and critical milestones. ● Partner with Quality Assurance to ensure products meet Comfrt's quality and performance standards.
• Analyze consumer feedback, returns, and product performance to drive continuous improvement.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Collaborate with Design, Merchandising, Planning, Sourcing, Production, and Marketing to align product development with business objectives.
• Maintain accurate development trackers, product specifications, costing, and project documentation.
• Communicate product status, risks, opportunities, and recommendations to cross-functional partners and leadership.
• Drive accountability, problem-solving, and continuous improvement across the development process.
• Qualifications & Experience:
• Bachelor's degree in Product Development, Fashion Merchandising, Apparel Design, Business, or related field.
• 7+ years of apparel product development, product management or merchandising experience within fashion, lifestyle, or consumer brands.
• Strong understanding of apparel construction, fabrics, fit, costing, and manufacturing processes.
• Strong analytical skills with experience interpreting sales performance, market research, and consumer insights.
• Experience working directly with overseas manufacturers and managing development timelines.
• Strong fashion and market awareness with the ability to identify commercially relevant trends and innovation opportunities.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel or Google Sheets; experience with PLM systems preferred.
• Excellent project management, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Preferred Experience:
• Experience in product development, specifically Athleisure.
• Experience in a fast-growing DTC or omnichannel retail business.
• Proven ability to translate sales data and consumer insights into successful product opportunities.
• Experience working autonomously in a remote or hybrid environment while maintaining strong cross-functional collaboration.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with strong business acumen, attention to detail, and a sense of urgency.

Who You Are:

• You are a commercially minded, analytical product professional who understands the connection between great products and business performance.
• You combine a strong eye for trends and innovation with technical product development expertise and financial understanding.
• You are proactive, resourceful, collaborative, and comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.