Product Development Launch Planner

Product Development Launch Planner

(CMF & Variant Execution)

Location: Ogden, UT (On Site)

Experience: 3–8 years

Industry: Consumer Goods / Manufacturing / Product Development

HydroJug/ACTA is rapidly expanding across product categories, materials, colorways, and seasonal launches. We are seeking a Product Development Timeline Manager to lead the operational workflow that brings new physical products from concept to production.

This role ensures every product variant progresses through the development process on time, in full, with final samples approved well in advance of production and launch. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-driven, and experienced in managing timelines, coordinating with suppliers, and driving cross-functional clarity.

About the Role

You will own the end-to-end timeline for product development projects—bottles, accessories, apparel, materials, colorways, and limited editions. You will coordinate between design, product, supply chain, and suppliers to ensure all milestones, samples, and approvals move forward predictably and efficiently.

This position is essential to launch readiness. Your accuracy, documentation, and communication enable the business to plan inventory, marketing, and production with confidence.

Key Responsibilities

Timeline & Project Management

• Build and manage development timelines for all new products and variant updates.
• Maintain accurate project documentation within Asana (or comparable PM tool).
• Assign owners, set deadlines, track status, and ensure cross-functional visibility.
• Lead weekly project reviews to identify risks, resolve bottlenecks, and escalate delays.
• Maintain and improve timeline templates for different product types and complexity levels.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Translate early concepts into clear, structured development milestones.
• Ensure alignment across product, design, sourcing, and operations teams.
• Communicate sample status, changes, approvals, and risks to leadership consistently.
• Provide timely handoff information to supply chain, operations, sales, and marketing teams.

Supplier & Sample Management

• Communicate specifications, benchmarks, and expectations to suppliers.
• Confirm feasibility, timing, and sampling commitments before development begins.
• Track all sample rounds from prototype through final approval.
• Ensure suppliers meet agreed timelines and escalate delays promptly.
• Validate production samples and confirm readiness for manufacturing.

Systems, Data & Documentation

• Enter and maintain product data—SKUs, attributes, CMF details, and specifications
• Maintain accurate catalog entries and master data for all variants.
• Update line plans, launch calendars, and forecast inputs once variants are approved.
• Document all approvals, decisions, and changes for full cross-functional visibility.
• Ensure product data is complete and correct before ERP setup and production handoff.

What Success Looks Like

• Predictable and reliable development timelines.
• Samples delivered on time and meeting quality expectations.
• Strong documentation and transparent communication across teams.
• Operations, supply chain, and marketing always have the information they need.
• Launches occur on time with accurate SKUs, data, and production alignment.

Required Skills & Experience

• 3–8 years in product development, project management, supply chain, or consumer goods manufacturing.
• Experience working with suppliers, factories, or overseas production partners.
• Strong understanding of physical product development and lifecycle workflows.
• Excellent project management, organization, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with high attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Asana, Monday, or other project tools.
• Strong follow-through, documentation discipline, and risk management capability.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in consumer goods, sporting goods, drinkware, apparel, or accessories.
• Familiarity with ERP systems (NetSuite, SAP, or similar).
• Understanding of CMF (color, material, finish) processes.
• Ability to proactively identify issues and solve problems quickly.