Location
East Hampton, NY
Salary
Not specified
Type
fulltime
Posted
Today
Job Description
Job Title: Head of PD / Production of Accessories \& Home (Handbags, Footwear, Accessories)
Role Overview
The Head of PD / Production of Accessories \& Home
will lead the strategic and operational execution of Handbags, Footwear, Accessories, and Home categories—owning the end-to-end lifecycle from concept through production and delivery.
This role is a critical partner to Creative and Merchandising, ensuring that product vision is realized through best-in-class development, technical execution, and manufacturing. With a strong foundation in both craftsmanship and operations, this leader will drive innovation, enforce quality standards, and build scalable systems that enable growth while protecting brand integrity.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership \& Cross-Functional Partnership
- Define and execute category strategies across Accessories and Home that align creative direction with operational excellence and financial goals
- Serve as a key partner to Creative, Merchandising, and Executive Leadership to ensure alignment between design intent, development execution, and commercial outcomes
- Establish clear operating cadences and cross-functional workflows that improve speed, clarity, and accountability
- Build strong internal and external partnerships, aligning global stakeholders and vendors around shared objectives
Product Development \& Technical Execution
- Lead end-to-end product development across Handbags, Footwear, Accessories, and Home—from concept through commercialization
- Oversee the technical development process, including prototyping, fittings, material development, construction validation, and product testing
- Ensure all products meet the highest standards of craftsmanship, functionality, and aesthetic intent
- Drive innovation in materials, construction techniques, and product engineering while balancing cost, quality, and scalability
- Partner closely with Design to translate creative vision into technically sound, production-ready product
Quality Control \& Product Integrity
- Establish and enforce best-in-class quality standards across all categories and stages of development and production
- Ensure excellence in product construction, materials, finishing, and packaging—aligned with brand positioning and customer expectations
- Implement and oversee quality control processes, including wear testing, product validation, and factory inspections
- Lead root-cause analysis and resolution of production challenges, including quality issues, delays, and vendor performance concerns
- Champion a culture of accountability and continuous improvement across product integrity and execution
Operational Excellence \& Process Optimization
- Architect and refine development and production workflows to drive efficiency, reduce lead times, and improve visibility across the product lifecycle
- Identify friction points and implement scalable solutions that enhance speed-to-market without compromising quality
- Lead complex, cross-functional initiatives including new category expansion (e.g., Home), process transformation, and system optimization
- Drive adoption and optimization of tools such as PLM to enable transparency, tracking, and data-driven decision-making
Commercial \& Financial Performance
- Own cost architecture across categories, driving margin expansion through strategic sourcing, product engineering, and vendor negotiation
- Partner with Finance and Merchandising to align product strategies with financial targets and long-term growth objectives
- Identify and execute cost-saving opportunities while maintaining product integrity and brand elevation
- Deliver consistent year-on-year improvements in margin, cost efficiency, and operational performance
Team Leadership \& Development
- Build, lead, and mentor high-performing teams across Product Development, Technical Design, and Production
- Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations to drive accountability and growth
- Foster a culture of excellence, ownership, and continuous improvement
- Inspire teams to proactively identify opportunities for product innovation and process evolution
Key Strengths \& Qualifications
- Proven leadership experience driving strategic initiatives through operational rigor and disciplined execution
- Deep expertise in luxury product development across Handbags, Footwear, Accessories, and adjacent categories (Home experience a strong plus)
- Strong technical foundation in materials, construction, fittings, and manufacturing processes
- Advanced project management capabilities with experience leading global, cross-functional initiatives
- Strong commercial acumen, including cost engineering, margin optimization, and financial alignment
- Demonstrated track record of delivering measurable results, including margin growth, cost savings, and operational improvements
Salary $220,000-$250,000 \+ 20-30% bonus \+ $3,500 clothing allowance
Looking for more opportunities?
Browse thousands of graduate jobs and entry-level positions.