Senior Director of Product Development & Materials - Naadam : Job Details

About Us:

Naadam is redefining luxury by delivering the world's finest cashmere at an accessible price. Founded in 2013, with a vision to bring premium, sustainably made cashmere to the everyday wardrobe, we've built a brand that values innovation, transparency, and connection with our customers.

At Naadam, we are dedicated to pushing limits, nailing the details, and delivering products that are built to last. We pride ourselves on combining quality, craftsmanship, and modern design to create timeless, versatile pieces that are soft AF!

Job Summary

Naadam is seeking a driven, resourceful, and dynamic Director to lead our Product Development and Sourcing team. In this role, you will act as the key connector between cross-functional teams—Design, Merchandising, Production, and Technical Design—ensuring a smooth and cohesive product development process. You will spearhead the full development through pre-production cycle, with a strong emphasis on yarn and material sourcing, sweaters, product development, seasonal calendar, budgeting, and category expansion strategy.

Reporting directly to and partnering with the SVP of Product and Design, you will play a pivotal role in driving innovation across fully fashioned sweaters, cut & sew knits, and woven products to bring the brand's vision to life. This is a great opportunity to shape the future of Naadam's product offerings and contribute to our long-term growth and success!

Expertise in fully fashioned sweaters, yarns, stitches, and gauges is essential for this role. Qualified candidates only please.

Key Responsibilities

Product

• Oversee the entire product development lifecycle from material ideation to product launch.
• Provide feedback and guidance based insights from previous seasons.
• Attend fittings and communicate necessary updates to factories.

Materials/ R+D

• Lead the sourcing, research, and development of raw materials- sweater yarns, knits and wovens , trims, stitches and knitting techniques to drive innovation.
• Travel to trade shows and Mills: Pitti Filati, Spi Expo, Milano Unica, PV and mill appointments.
• Cultivate and maintain strong vendor relationships to source materials, negotiate pricing/MOQs, and ensure timely delivery.
• Present seasonal Materials Kickoff to Merchandising, Design, Marketing and Top management.
• Manage the Raw Materials library and Vendor Database

Budget and Calendar

• Plan and manage development budgets in line with financial goals.
• Track spending and act as liaison with Finance and Operations for reporting.
• Oversee deliverables for all categories and partner with cross-functional teams to meet all deadlines.

Merchandising and Production

• Prepare preliminary costing and collaborate with cross-functional partners to resolve any MOQ, CC, or material consumption issues.
• Work closely with Production to address potential issues with products while upholding the quality and design intent.
• Ensure a smooth hand off from development to production by providing BOMs, certification requirements, and relevant information.

Managerial

• Foster an environment of continuous learning and problem-solving; Manage and mentor the PD associate.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless execution of product initiatives from development to manufacturing
• Establish process management to align departments and improve workflows.

Sustainability

• Lead sustainability initiatives within materials and supply chain, guiding vendors on standards and working towards Naadam's environmental and social impact goals.
• Oversee sustainability record keeping, including certifications, standards, COC and traceability.

Skills

• Strategic and holistic planning mindset with a demonstrated understanding of product life-cycle, category expansion, market trends, and brand needs.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills for processes and decision-making.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to prioritize workload and strategize objectives.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a diverse group of people.
• Strong multitasking skills and ability to work under pressure in a dynamic environment.
• Self-starter personality with proactive troubleshooting and creative problem-solving abilities.
• Exemplary interpersonal skills, including communication, negotiation, and relationship-building with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills.
• Proficiency in Excel, Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides), and PLM; Illustrator and Photoshop experience are a plus.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience within Product Development and Materials R&D.
• 3+ years in a leadership role, managing at least one direct report.
• Bachelor degree
• Must have expertise in fully fashioned sweater and yarn development, sourcing and launching knitdowns; A deep understanding and technical knowledge of yarns, gauges, stitches, and construction.
• Strong understanding of cut & sew and woven garment construction, fabric, finishes is a plus.
• Prior experience with sustainable materials, supply chain practices, certifications, and standards is a plus.
• Ability to travel locally or overseas to Fabric Shows, Mills and Vendor partners.
• Interest in sustainable processes is essential.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off
• 15 Vacation Days
• 5 Personal Days
• 5 Sick Days
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• 401k Plan with employer match
• Hybrid Work - Employees are required to be in office at least 2 days a week

Salary Range: $155K - $180K

Salary offered will be commensurate with experience.