Product Development Manager | Levi's

Product Development Manager | Levi’s Men’s & Women’s

G-III Apparel Group

Brand/Product Focus: Levi’s

Location (On Site): New York City, Midtown Manhattan - Fashion District

The Product Development Manager acts as a crucial technical and operational link between the design concept and the finished production garment. They are responsible for managing the entire prototype process, ensuring that designs are translated into high-quality, wearable, and cost-effective samples, while adhering to strict time-and-action calendars. The goal of the Product Development Manager is to develop, track, and manage all incoming samples, while maintaining clear and structured visibility into sample development and prior season bulk data to support informed decision-making, resulting in the timely handoff of correctly priced production-ready PLM packages to the Production team.

This role reports to the Design Director and works closely with the Design and Product Development teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Documentation & Tech Packs: Creating, maintaining, and updating detailed Tech Packs in the Production Lifecycle Management (PLM) system, including tech sketches, Bill of Materials (BOM), and measurement specifications.
• Fit Knowledge: Participate in fit sessions (live-model or internal fittings) to evaluate fit, balance, and styling, providing clear, actionable pattern corrections, and reviewing prototypes for construction and quality.
• Prototype Development: Managing the development of prototypes and salesman samples from initial design concepts through to final approval. Manage multiple iterations, prioritize sample requests, and ensure alignment with design intent and timeline requirements.
• Communication with Vendors: Collaborating directly with internal teams, overseas offices, and vendor partners, sending clear technical feedback (fit comments, photos, diagrams) to ensure samples meet brand standards and delivery timelines.
• Costing & Feasibility: Partner with the Production and Sales teams to analyze costs, advising on material choices and construction techniques to optimize production while maintaining target prices.
• Tracking: In partnership with vendors and our overseas office, track sample development via a WIP spreadsheet or tracking system to ensure on-time delivery – share out the delivery chart to stakeholders weekly.
• Sample Tracking & Analytics: Maintain and analyze sample development data through WIP tracking tools (Excel, Airtable, or similar), providing clear and structured visibility to the Design team. Organize sample data by vendor, fabric categories, and body styles (e.g., length, collar type, fill/insulation), ensuring information is consistently updated and easily accessible. Identify imbalances or gaps in development and leverage prior season bulk and sample data to support more efficient sample planning and decision-making.
• Quality Control: enforcing quality standards across the product line.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in Fashion Merchandising, Apparel Production/Product Development or related field preferred
• Experience: 5 years’ experience in apparel product development.
• Garment Engineering & Construction: Understanding of construction methods, patternmaking, fabric characteristics, and machinery.
• Software Proficiency: Strong skills in PLM, Excel, and Adobe Illustrator
• Project Management: Ability to manage multiple seasonal deadlines, competing priorities, and vendor follow-ups.
• Attention to Detail & Organization: Highly detail-oriented with a strong ability to organize and structure information. Comfortable working with large sets of sample and development data, with a natural inclination toward maintaining accuracy, clarity, and consistency.

What We Offer:

• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k)
• PTO and company holidays
• Employee discounts

Salary:

The pay range for this position is $75,000 - $85,000 annually.

Please note that the foregoing compensation information is a good-faith assessment associated with this position only and is provided pursuant to the New York City Salary Transparency Law.

G-III Apparel Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

www.g-iii.com

G-III’s owned brands include DKNY, Karl Lagerfeld Paris, Donna Karan, Vilebrequin, Sonia Rykiel, G.H. Bass, Bass Outdoor, Andrew Marc, Eliza J., GIII Sports and more. G-III has fashion licenses under the Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Cole Haan, Dockers, Guess?, Kenneth Cole, Levi’s, Vince Camuto, Margaritaville and more. G-III also operates retail stores for the DKNY, Karl Lagerfeld Paris and Donna Karan brands.