What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Product Developer position at RHOBACK INC?
Company Mission: Rhoback is a community of passionate and motivated people looking to generate positivity, bring people together, and inspire activity by creating high quality products and engaging content for those who seek inspiration, motivation, and connection with a #craveactivity mentality.
The Role
Rhoback is seeking an experienced and proactive Senior Product Developer to help lead seasonal product development across multiple categories and overlapping timelines, from initial concept through production hand‑off. This role plays a critical part in driving execution at scale, ensuring that materials, trims, tech packs, samples, and approvals are delivered on time and meet quality standards.
As a senior member of the Product Development team, you will collaborate closely with Design, Technical Design, Production, and a global vendor base to support sourcing strategies, vendor onboarding, and dual‑sourcing initiatives. You will balance strategic oversight with hands‑on execution, while helping to align priorities, manage complexity, and maintain a seamless development process.
This role reports to the Product Development Manager and is based full‑time onsite at Rhoback’s Charlottesville, VA headquarters.
What You’ll Do
- Lead development efforts across multiple overlapping seasons and product categories, managing complex calendars and shifting priorities.
- Support the Product Development Manager in seasonal costing strategy and vendor negotiations to help achieve target FOBs while maintaining product quality and margin goals.
- Assist in reviewing cost breakdowns, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and tracking pricing updates throughout development and production stages.
- Help monitor and maintain seasonal costing trackers, margin updates, and vendor communication to ensure accuracy and organization throughout the development process.
- Partner with Design and Technical Design to ensure tech packs are complete, accurate, and ready for release.
- Oversee material and trim development, including lab dips, strike‑offs, and packaging, coordinating approvals and timelines.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with global vendors, including onboarding new factories and supporting dual‑sourcing strategies.
- Collaborate with Sourcing to manage cost negotiations, minimum order quantities (MOQs), and product testing requirements.
- Ensure BOM (Bill of Materials) accuracy and alignment across systems throughout the development lifecycle.
- Monitor time and action (T&A) milestones, proactively identifying risks and driving solutions to stay on schedule.
- Support and provide guidance to Product Development team members, helping balance workloads and ensure deliverables are met.
- Act as a liaison across Product Development, Technical Design, and cross‑functional teams to maintain alignment and executional excellence.
What We’re Looking For
- Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence cross‑functional partners and support team development.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and complex development timelines in a fast‑paced environment.
- Deep understanding of the end‑to‑end product development process, including fabrics, trims, packaging, and fit.
- Advanced problem‑solving skills with the ability to navigate sourcing shifts, vendor challenges, and external market factors.
- Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and process discipline.
- Clear and effective communicator across internal teams and external vendor partners.
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands‑on execution.
- Proactive mindset with the ability to anticipate issues and drive solutions independently.
- Collaborative, team‑first approach with a commitment to quality and continuous improvement.
What Success Looks Like
- Consistent on‑time delivery of development milestones across seasons and categories.
- High‑quality product execution with minimal rework and strong alignment across teams.
- Seamless vendor relationships, including successful onboarding and effective dual‑sourcing execution.
- Strong team collaboration, with balanced workloads and clear communication across functions.
- Proactive identification and resolution of development risks, ensuring minimal disruption to timelines.
- Contribution to process improvements that enhance speed, efficiency, and scalability within Product Development.
Education and Experience
- 7 years of product development experience, preferably within apparel or soft goods.
- Proven track record of vendor management, including onboarding and maintaining global factory relationships.
- Demonstrated experience managing multiple seasons and categories within a fast‑paced, growth‑oriented environment.
- Proficiency in PLM systems, BOM management, and product development tracking tools (Centric PLM experience preferred).
- Strong understanding of sourcing, costing, and production considerations.
- Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising, Apparel Development, or a related field preferred (or equivalent experience).
Physical Requirement (if applicable)
This role may invole performing job-related tasks that occasionally require physical activity, such as lifting, pushing, or pulling items 10 lbs or more, with our without reasonable accommodation. (include for all warehouse and retail roles, determine if relevant for office roles)
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of duties, activities, or responsibilities of this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones assigned at any time with or without notice.