Sr Manager, Product Development

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. 

Behind every LAKE collection is an intentional, thoughtful and precise development process. As Senior Manager, Product Development, you will lead LAKE’s end-to-end development across all categories, taking direction from the initial concept and guiding through to SMS handoff while balancing creative intent, cost targets, and operational excellence. Reporting to the Sr Director, Product Development & Production and closely collaborating with Design, Planning, Production, and Technical Design, you will ensure each collection is developed with purpose and discipline in line with LAKE's brand values.

You Will

• Oversee the full seasonal development calendar—from fabric initiation through SMS approval—ensuring milestones align with creative direction, quality, and business goals.

• Lead all aspects of style development, including material approvals, fit readiness, sample flow, and vendor accountability across multiple categories.

• Manage and strengthen global vendor partnerships, driving innovation in fabrics, trims, and sustainable materials while maintaining margin and delivery targets.

• Partner cross-functionally with Design, Tech, Planning, Production, and Finance to align on cost, quality, and aesthetic objectives.

• Own the costing process from initial development through final buy, ensuring styles achieve target IMUs and identifying opportunities for savings or efficiency.

• Monitor vendor performance, negotiate costs, and support capacity and business reviews to ensure scalability and alignment with company priorities.

• Oversee Centric PLM data integrity, ensuring all style, material, and BOM information is accurate, current, and synchronized across systems.

• Drive process improvement by documenting SOPs, refining workflows, and promoting operational consistency across teams.

• Lead and mentor the Product Development team, fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional growth while reinforcing brand values and behaviors.
• Provide expertise in fabric performance, fabric testing, fabric and garment construction, and fit integrity to ensure products meet LAKE’s standards for comfort, quality, and wearability.
• Evaluate and guide material and construction decisions throughout development to ensure technical feasibility, consistency, and alignment with design intent.

• Represent the PD function in milestone meetings, providing clear communication on development status, risks, and solutions.

You Have

• 8+ years of experience in fashion production across aspirational brands
• An exceptional personal ownership and accountability mindset and are a strategic thinker with strong operational and leadership skills.
• Expert knowledge of the end-to-end product lifecycle, from concept through production handoff.
• Proven ability to manage multiple vendors across global sourcing regions (India, China, Peru, etc.)
• Advanced proficiency in PLM (Centric), ERP (NetSuite), and Excel/Google Sheets
• Exceptional communication and negotiation skills with the ability to influence cross-functional partners.
• Highly organized, adaptable, and solution-oriented in a fast-paced environment.
• The ability to drive operational discipline; ensuring processes are followed meticulously while continuously identifying areas to improve efficiency and effectiveness proactively
• Strong knowledge of textile properties, garment construction methods, and fit fundamentals with the ability to translate fabric capabilities into successful product development outcomes.