Product Development Manager

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Madhappy is a Los Angeles-based clothing brand made for a community of optimists, born in 2017. Madhappy uses apparel, events, and experimental retail spaces – including its permanent flagship in West Hollywood – to explore a personal expression as a means to an improved state of mind. Its own seasonal stores – with past and present locations including New York City (Soho), Aspen, Miami, East Hampton, and Tokyo – are each designed to reflect their site, while still sharing the brand’s DNA. The brand currently produces a selection of ever-evolving, evergreen classic styles, seasonally available collections and collaborations. Madhappy supports research and awareness in mental health through The Madhappy Foundation (a 501c(3) non-profit) and writes Local Optimist, a print magazine. Each to celebrate us as works-in-progress, and the personal and collective expression that is a part of that.

About the job We are looking to hire a full time Product Development Manager for Madhappy.

In this position, you will be responsible for building out our network of vendors, domestic and international, for materials and factories across numerous garment categories (cut and sew, sweaters, wovens, denim, & outerwear). You will manage the development processes from initial creative concept all the way through to production handover. This role will report directly to our Director of Product Development & Production.

You will be a highly curious, autonomous, organized, soft skills pro with a keen eye for quality, design, cost, and timing. This individual will become the direct partner to Madhappy’s design, tech, and production teams in bringing our products to life.

You must be based in or willing to move to Los Angeles to be considered for this position.

Responsibilities ●      Field, organize, and execute all sourcing requests from design team ●      Onboard new factories in accordance with expansion of product categories ●      Maintain adherence to Development and Production Calendar, ensuring key milestone dates are met ●      Own Pre-Costing, identifying price challenges and offering solutions ●      Initiate seasonal proto reviews, report on pricing, MOQs and identify longer-than-normal lead times ●      Manage prototype & salesman sample schedules through daily direct communication with vendors ●      Maintain clear records and fabric & trim reference library ●      Issue and track sample material orders ●      Oversee integrity of BOM details as well as making updates during the development phase ●      Track and report PD budget/drops on a monthly basis Oversee and train product development assistant

About you Qualifications ●      Minimum 6 years of experience across multiple garment categories ●      Understanding of the design process and needs, in alignment with the brand aesthetic ●      Understanding of collection hand over requirements for production ●      Experience with and understanding of technical details and characteristics across numerous fabrications and trims ●      Excellent written and verbal communication skills ●      Proven methods of finding efficiencies, building tools, and creating processes ●      Skilled at using Excel, Google Docs  and other database systems

Characteristics ●      Be a great task master but an even greater strategist being able to find gaps and how to fill them ●      Seek and create steps needed to execute goals ●      Have a critical mind and eye to flag potential issues ●      Able to initiate conversations, negotiate, and influence multiple personalities with respect to their needs ●      Highly independent but able to mentor and train team members ●      Passion for the brand and mental health, a plus

Benefits ●      15 days PTO, and 9 days sick pay annually ●      Paid holidays ●      Health, dental, and vision insurance with 75% premium coverage by Madhappy ●      Retirement plans available$600 quarterly health stipends ●      Employee discount and early access to products