Director of Product - OXMAN : Job Details

OXMAN OXMAN is a hybrid Design and R&D company that fuses design, technology, and biology to invent multi-scale products and environments. The fusion of disciplines within our work opens previously impossible opportunities within each domain-allowing design to inspire science and science to inspire design. At OXMAN, we question dominant modes of design that have divorced us from Nature by prioritizing humanity above all else (human-centric design). Although it is design that has caused this rift, we believe that design also offers the greatest opportunity to heal it. We propose a Nature-centric approach that delivers design solutions by, for, and with the natural world, while advancing humanity. In this pursuit, we reject all forms of segregation and instead call for a radical synergy between human-made and Nature-grown environments. This approach demands that we design across scales for systems-level impact. We consider every designed construct a whole system of heterogeneous and complex interrelations-not isolated objects-that are intrinsically connected to their environments. In doing so, we open ourselves up to moving beyond mere maintenance toward the advancement of Nature. Summary OXMAN is seeking a Director of Product to join an all-star interdisciplinary team of deep thinkers and brilliant makers. The Director of Product will be an integral player in evolving OXMAN's product strategy after the recent launch of our company. This person will champion the future of nature-centric product development, with the vision and grit to guide a team of visionaries and innovators towards real-world impact. They will work closely with senior leadership on portfolio prioritization, with OXMAN innovations spanning consumer goods to architectural services, all fueled by our cutting-edge R&D in computational design, robotics, material science, green chemistry, biology, and ecological engineering. The Director of Product will also manage O°, building strategy, aligning cross-functional teams, and systematizing product development through goal-setting, KPIs, and other success metrics inline with OXMAN values. An ideal candidate has a portfolio of success stories bringing products from R&D to market in apparel, footwear, or other consumer goods sectors. This is an exceptional opportunity for a leader who thrives in translating visionary ideas into actionable, market-ready products, all while championing a nature-centric approach to design. Core responsibilities

• Partner closely with senior leadership to shape product strategy across the OXMAN portfolio, with innovations ranging from biomaterials, robotics, plant science, synthetic biology, and computational design.
• Create an assessment process to determine R&D concepts' readiness for the product pipeline, setting standards for proof-of-concept, prototyping milestones, and key performance indicators at each stage.
• Drive the product roadmap for O° consumer products in apparel, footwear, and more, moving ideas from inception to launch with clearly defined milestones, KPIs, and success metrics that align with OXMAN values.
• Co-create systems of project management with buy-in and support from a cross-functional team of designers, scientists, and engineers.
• Systematize product development workflows by improving goal tracking, reporting, and physical prototype archiving frameworks, ensuring efficient resource allocation, transparent project budgeting, and smooth cross-department collaboration.
• Support management of partner, vendor, and contractor relationships, guiding everything from material sourcing to contract negotiations.
• Lead product testing in collaboration with external agencies, ensuring compliance with ASTM, biodegradability, and other key industry benchmarks.
• Experiment with thoughtful methods of collecting and incorporating consumer insights into the product development cycle in order to drive design decisions.
• Collaborate with CEO and OXMAN Communications team to shape a go-to-market strategy highlighting the unique value propositions of OXMAN's product lines, as well as distinguishing the parent company's brand identity from potential spin-out ventures.
• Partner with CFO and legal to develop a trademark and IP strategy for new innovations in relevant markets.
• Communicate effectively with senior leaders, including CEO and CFO, ensuring alignment across all stages of the product life cycle.

Qualifications & competencies

• 7+ years of experience
• Experience leading in-house innovation or product development teams
• Portfolio of success stories creating and delivering products in apparel, footwear, or consumer products industries
• Strong commitment to product development with a nature-centric approach in mind
• Entrepreneurial / business-oriented mindset and a creative problem solver with a demonstrated ability to push the business forward with limited guidance
• Blend of technical and entrepreneurial, with a demonstrated ability to understand complex and technical subject matters quickly
• Background experience in a STEM / R&D field is a plus
• Ability to lead a cross-functional team of designers and scientists with a natural ability to translate between the technical, business, and vision
• Highly accountable, self-directed, and willing to roll up sleeves to move projects forward
• Strong commitment to the team; maintains positive working relationships with diverse people, including internal team and external partners
• Embodies ethics and integrity in all work, respecting both company and broader community policies in all conduct

To learn more about OXMAN's work, please visit our website. OXMAN does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristics. NYC Pay Range: $125,000-$250,000 Pay is based on a number of factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other business and organizational needs.