Product Development Manager

Role:

The Product Development Manager is a senior, commercially minded leader responsible for translating customer briefs from European and US brands and retailers into fully developed, market-ready products across Home Dcor, Furniture, Kitchenware & Tabletop, Bed & Bath Textiles, and Soft Furnishings. Operating across Iera Livings Hard Goods and Textiles divisions, this role owns the end-to-end product development journey from first supplier engagement through to sample approval while maintaining strong customer relationships and driving significant revenue growth.

Key Responsibilities

Customer & Programme Development

Act as the primary point of contact for brand and retail customers across Europe and the USA throughout the product development cycle.

Translate incoming customer briefs and design directions into clear, actionable development plans for each programme.

Build and grow long-term customer relationships, identifying opportunities to expand programmes and win new business.

Manage a pipeline of concurrent development programmes across both Hard Goods and Textiles categories.

Product Development & Sampling

Lead the full PD process from initial supplier selection and costing through to final sample approval.

Own the development of tech packs, specification sheets, and all supporting product documentation.

Ensure samples accurately reflect customer briefs, quality standards, and margin targets at every stage.

Drive efficient sample turnaround times to meet customer critical paths and seasonal deadlines.

Maintain clear records of sample status and feedback across all active programmes.

Sourcing & Supplier Management

Work closely with Iera Livings sourcing network, primarily across India, to identify and qualify factories for new programmes.

Negotiate costs and ensure margin requirements are met without compromising on product quality.

Build strong factory relationships to ensure reliability, responsiveness, and continuous improvement.

Commercial Accountability

Carry defined revenue and new business targets, with accountability for growing the value of managed customer programmes.

Review programme-level margins throughout development and flag risk early to the MD.

Identify and recommend product or process improvements that protect or enhance profitability.

Team & Stakeholder Management

Line manage a PD Assistant, responsible for their workload, development, and output quality (including CADs, PPT presentations, and development trackers).

Collaborate closely with internal buying, design, and operations teams to ensure smooth programme delivery.

Provide regular programme updates and reporting to the MD / CEO.

Product Categories

This role spans the following categories across Hard Goods and Textiles:

Hard Goods, Textiles ,Home Dcor, Furniture, Kitchenware & Tabletop, Bed & Bath Textiles ,Soft Furnishings (Cushions, Throws)

Skills & Experience

Essential

610 years of product development experience within a buying agency, retailer, or import business.

Strong cross-category knowledge spanning hard goods and/or textiles for the home.

Proven track record of managing complex, multi-programme pipelines with European or US brand/retail customers.

Hands-on experience with the full PD cycle: briefing, costing, tech packs, sampling, and approval.

Solid understanding of Indian manufacturing factory knowledge, capabilities, and working culture.

Commercially astute with experience carrying revenue or business targets.

Excellent communicator with the confidence to lead customer-facing conversations at a senior level.

Strong organisation and project management skills; ability to handle competing priorities without losing attention to detail.

Desirable

Experience working across both European and US markets simultaneously.

Exposure to sustainability or ethical sourcing practices.

Familiarity with PLM or product development tracking systems.

Experience line-managing junior team members.