Senior Manager Product Development - Accessories

Do you love bringing trend-forward products to life, leading teams, and building what’s next for a fast-growing accessories brand? Velvet Caviar is looking for a Senior Manager, Product Development to lead our Product Development team and drive growth for our expanding product roadmap. From our signature phone cases and tech accessories to bags, charms, electronics, and new categories, you’ll manage product developers from concept to launch, work closely with global factories, and help shape the future of our assortment. If you’re a hands-on product leader with strong product instincts who thrives on innovation, speed, and execution, we want to hear from you!

ABOUT US:

Velvet Caviar is a leading phone accessories brand with over 1 Million social media followers and millions of customers; established in New York since 2015. We’re mostly known for pioneering the tech accessories market with our stylish phone cases and matching accessories. Our products can be found in national retailers and on thousands of celebrities and influencers worldwide! With a smaller team environment, Velvet Caviar is a great place for collaboration, personal development, and making an impact.

Learn more about our brand by visiting our Instagram at @velvetcaviar and our website, velvetcaviar.com

RESPONSIBILITIES:

As Senior Manager, Product Development, you’ll lead the product development roadmap, drive new product and category innovation, and manage our team of Product Developers and Designers. You’ll work closely with global factories and cross-functional teams to bring products from concept through launch, while partnering directly with senior leadership on product strategy and priorities.

• Execute the product development roadmap, manage several product developers, support innovation across new developments, and meet critical product launch deadlines.
• Support your team in launching approximately 6–10 new product categories per year across cases, electronics, bags, charms, accessories, and emerging categories.
• Concept and pitch new product innovations and category opportunities based on consumer trends, competitive research, and business priorities.
• Oversee the end-to-end product development process from concept, tech packs, sampling, and costing through final approval and production handoff.
• Develop and improve product specifications, materials, construction, functionality, case molds, and tooling as needed.
• Hire and manage Product Developers, Designers, and contracted resources while setting clear priorities and performance expectations.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for development challenges and provide guidance to the PD team.
• Support with sourcing, vetting, negotiating, and managing overseas factories, suppliers, and development partners.
• Maintain target product costs and margins while identifying opportunities to improve cost without compromising quality or design.
• Ensure products meet established quality standards and applicable safety, testing, and regulatory requirements.
• Partner closely with Production, Design, Marketing, Sales, Creative, and Operations to ensure development timelines and launches remain on track.
• Provide senior leadership with regular visibility into the product roadmap, development status, risks, costs, and key decisions.
• Oversee licensing partnerships and development, including product opportunities, partner requirements, approvals, and timelines.
• Continuously improve Product Development processes, workflows, documentation, and team systems.
• Travel to overseas factories, vendors, and/or industry trade shows approximately 1–2 times per year, or as business needs require.
• Review product and category performance to inform future development, improvements, and product roadmap decisions.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in Design or Production
• Minimum 7 years of product development experience within consumer products, accessories, fashion, or lifestyle
• Minimum 2 years managing Product Developers, Designers, or similar teams
• Track record of successfully launching new products and categories
• Experienced working directly with overseas factories and vendors
• Strong knowledge of product development, materials, manufacturing, costing, and quality
• Highly organized and experienced managing product roadmaps, timelines, and multiple launches
• Strong vendor management, costing, and negotiation skills
• Creative thinker with strong product instincts and problem-solving skills
• Excellent leadership and cross-functional communication skills
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
• Comfortable with a hybrid schedule (2 days/week in office)

PERKS:

• Strong Salary Performance Bonuses
• 15 PTO days and paid Holidays off
• 401k and Health Insurance coverage
• Nice office at the Brooklyn Navy Yard
• Hybrid schedule, in-office Tue/Thur
• Be a key player in a growing brand!
• Drinks, snacks, and team events

Velvet Caviar is an equal-opportunity employer committed to a diverse workplace environment.