Manager of Product Development – Knits

URBN (Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie Group, Free People & Nuuly)

Product Development Manager at Anthropologie developing a comprehensive product strategy for knits. Leading vendor negotiations and managing product sourcing across categories.

Posted 7/2/2026full-timePhiladelphia • Pennsylvania • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorLeadWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Facilitate and execute brand’s vision through the appropriate allocation of product and the sourcing of materials which deliver the right aesthetic while meeting target product costs and time and action requirements.
Support execution of a sourcing strategy focused on building vendor partnerships, executing regional strategies and factory allocation plans set by the PD Sr. Manager/Director.
Build and promote key relationships between stakeholders to execute calendar and processes that drive speed-to-market initiatives.
Attend Concept and Sketch Review meetings to understand and clarify Design’s intention, tone, and important style aspects.
Coach direct reports in meeting preparation and expected outcomes.
Manage bulk cost negotiations with vendor base; meet or exceed targets.
Review and drive component costing, challenge where necessary.
Identify and drive opportunities for Merchant to improve adoption rates and approved style count targets as dictated by seasonal line plan.
Collaborate with cross functional partners on engineering options for category target costs and minimums, required lead times, and final IMU, with the goal of driving speed, sales, and financial results.
Manage with cross functional teams on category development process, including research of pre-style development, tracking and review of pre-style packages, ensuring compliance of product within category to internal testing standards, and managing sample evaluation, accuracy, and quality.
Lead vendor conversations regarding strategic roadblocks and see through to resolution.
Provide strong leadership, management, development, and training to the sourcing and brand team members to direct deliverables, deadlines and hand-offs effectively.
Manage and coach direct reports to effectively to support KPI's and strategies set for their managed areas.
Empower direct reports to make decisions and support their professional development.
Provide regular feedback on performance and identify growth opportunities.

Requirements

What you’ll need

8+ years of product development and sourcing experience within a complex, fast paced apparel/home furnishings environment.
Specialty retail and/or direct-to-consumer experience is preferred.
Proven success in a leadership role managing direct report(s).
A successful track record of building relationships with cross functional partners and offering new and innovative solutions to development issues/challenges.
Experience developing and leveraging strategic business relationships with vendors/suppliers.
Ability to anticipate business/brand needs and to create long term solutions.
Process improvement capabilities including proven examples of implementing operational efficiencies.
Works with a high sense of urgency and integrity and is motivated by deadlines and new challenges.
Solves problems for teams and is able to coach others effectively.
Verbal & written communication supports relationship building and goal achievement.
Ability to run effective meetings with global vendor community.
Can resolve deadline impact issues independently.

Benefits

Comp & perks

medical
dental
vision
PTO
generous employee discounts
retirement savings and much more!

ATS Keywords

✓ Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools

Cost NegotiationComponent CostingCross Functional CollaborationSample EvaluationOperational Efficiency Implementation

Soft Skills

Verbal CommunicationWritten CommunicationCoaching and MentoringProblem SolvingRelationship Building