What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Director of Product Development position at LAKE?
About LAKE
LAKE started because two friends had a wild dream and the grit to see it through. We retained that entrepreneurial spirit while infusing our company with the things that really matter along the way, like kindness, trust, and authenticity. We're always above ego and work hard — in the softest pajamas imaginable. LAKE believes that the most comfortable part of your day should be celebrated. For us, these comfortable moments are nights at home with our families, weekend escapes with friends, a dose of me-time after a long day, and holidays that gather everyone together.
About the role
The Senior Director of Product Development and Production is responsible for leading the end-to-end process of product creation, from concept through commercialization and final delivery. This role oversees the development, sourcing, production, technical design and calendar management of our apparel lines, ensuring quality, margin, and brand standards are met across all collections. The ideal candidate has deep industry knowledge, strong vendor relationships, and a proven track record of managing complex cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment.
This individual will oversee a team of four, sit on the Departmental Leadership Team, and report directly to the Chief Product Officer.
You will...
- Lead and drive the product development process from initial concept to final approved sample; leading a high performing product team and ensuring design intent, quality, and brand standards are achieved.
- Manage the vendor matrix and develop strategic sourcing plans along with a sourcing matrix to align with category expansion and global trade.
- Collaborate seamlessly with internal teams (Design, Planning, Finance, Marketing, etc) to support company goals and initiatives.
- Lead critical product milestone meetings, including Pre-Assortment and Buy Review sessions.
- Drive product adoption, process efficiencies, and successful implementation within the PLM system
- Own and optimize initial markup (IMU%) for all products
- Develop and implement quality control processes and standards, including regular production audits, and review and analyze quality data to identify areas for improvement and implementation of corrective actions
- Manage the supply chain and product operations budget, monitoring performance and using financial analysis to support cost-savings and decision-making
- Ensure compliance with industry regulations and company policies while identifying and mitigating risks proactively and implementing best practices for sustainability and ethical sourcing.
- Stay abreast of apparel trends, global trade updates, technology opportunities, to maintain Lake’s position as a market leader in sleepwear.
You should have...
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in production and production development, preferably apparel
- Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain or related field preferred
- Strong understanding of apparel construction, technical design, fabric development, and global production.
- Proficiency in PLM systems, Excel, and project management tools.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with ability to promote stakeholder buy-in
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Demonstrated success in scaling companies in fast-growth environments
- Conversational Spanish (not required, but preferred)
