Job Description

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

REPORTS TO: SR. PRODUCT MANAGER

STATUS: EXEMPT

Summary

The Product Development Manager is responsible for leading the execution of global product development strategies for assigned categories, driving each product from concept through final production handoff. This role ensures all styles meet Boot Barn’s Exclusive Brands standards for design intent, quality, cost, and market relevance. The manager is accountable for product lifecycle management, vendor execution, margin achievement, and development timelines. Functioning as a strategic partner and cross-functional leader, this role collaborates closely with Design, Merchandising, Sourcing, Planning, and Technical Design teams to deliver commercially viable products that meet seasonal and financial goals. The Product Development Manager will lead material and trim innovation, oversee PLM data accuracy, and manage vendor relations to ensure timely and high-quality product execution.

This position requires strategic thinking, strong technical product knowledge, and a proven ability to manage multiple product categories in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. This role requires international travel for up to 14 days at a time in multiple countries of origin up to 35% of the year.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Product Lifecycle Management - Own end-to-end product development processes for assigned categories from concept to production handoff, ensuring adherence to calendar deadlines and margin targets.
• Tech Pack and BOM Ownership - Oversee the accuracy and maintenance of technical specifications and Bills of Materials (BOMs) in Centric PLM; ensure alignment with current design and sourcing requirements.
• Material and Trim Development- Lead preseason raw material development, driving fabric innovation, trim package execution, and lab dip/print/wash approvals aligned with design direction and costing goals.
• Style Creation and PLM Management - Manage seasonal style setup and carryover updates in PLM, including style status, colorways, and development tracking across key product categories.
• Vendor Communication and Sample Management - Own communication with international and domestic vendor partners, including sample requests, development changes, and risk escalation to ensure timely and accurate sample delivery.
• Product Costing and Margin Achievement - Collaborate with Sourcing and Finance to engineer products to margin targets through smart material selection, construction changes, and cost-saving recommendations.
• Cross-Functional Leadership - Partner with Merchandising, Design, and Technical Design to support fit sessions, communicate style comments, and align development progress with seasonal strategies.
• Risk Mitigation and Calendar Management - Monitor key development milestones; proactively identify risks to product readiness and drive solutions to ensure delivery timelines are met.
• Final Line Handoff - Oversee formal handoff of final line packages to Technical Design and Production teams post-Line Freeze, ensuring all development work is complete and approved.
• PLM & WIP Accuracy - Ensure Centric PLM and work-in-progress reports are current, accurate, and aligned with key product development stages and approvals.
• Demonstrates high level of quality work, attendance and appearance.
• Demonstrates high degree of professionalism in communication, attitude and teamwork with customers, peers and management.
• Adhere to all local, federal and state laws in addition to Company policies, procedures, and practices.
• Performs any other duties that may be assigned by management.

Qualifications

• Strong communication, customer service, time management and organizational skills.
• Candidate will have at least 5 years of experience working in a private brand environment.
• Extensive experience working with Asian, Indian, Central American and Mexican suppliers and factories specializing in manufacturing apparel.
• Must possess the ability to work independently and be an adept problem solver.
• Ability to work cohesively with teammates and partners.
• Communicate effectively on Video Conference, email, phone and in person.
• Fluency in Chinese or Mandarin a plus

Competencies

• Customer Centric/Sales Driven – Assesses customer experience within the store and promotes a culture of customer engagement. Is attentive to customers and understands their needs, offers products that are aligned with the consumers’ expectations. Continually searches for ways to improve customer service.
• Ensure Effective Communication - Listens carefully and attentively to others' opinions and ideas. Communicates information clearly, concisely, and professionally.
• Establish Trust - Follows through on commitments. Is honest and direct with others. Promotes a culture of respect for, commitment to, and compliance with Company values, beliefs, and standards. Ensures the protection of confidential information.

Boot Barn Benefits & Additional Compensation Opportunities

• Competitive salary.
• Merchandise discount: 50% off of Exclusive Brands and 40% off of third-party brands.
• Paid Time Off plan for year-round Boot Barn Partners.*
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance.*
• 401(k) plan with generous company matching.
• Flexible schedules and work/life balance.
• Opportunities for growth at every level – we are opening 50+ new stores each year.

*For eligible Boot Barn Partners

PAY RANGE: $80,000.00 - $95,000.00*

*compensation varies based on geography, skills, experience, and tenure

Physical Demands

In general, the following physical demands are representative of those that must be met by a Partner to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to allow differently abled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Standing, walking and squatting less than fifty percent of the work shift.
• Required to lift, move and carry up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to read, count and write to accurately complete all documentation and reports.
• Must be able to see, hear and speak in order to communicate with partners and customers.
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Manual dexterity required using hands to finger; handle, feel and type; reach with hands and arms.

[] Sedentary: Limited activity, no lifting, limited walking

[ X ] Light: Office work, some lifting, bending, stooping or kneeling, walking

[ ] Moderate: Mostly standing, walking, bending, frequent lifting

[] Arduous: Heavy lifting, bending, crawling, climbing

Work Environment

In general, the following conditions of the work environment are representative of those that a Partner encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to allow differently abled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job within the environment.

• The workspace is clean, orderly, properly lighted and ventilated with the proper safety compliance.
• Noise levels are considered moderate.

Boot Barn, Inc. reserves the right to make exceptions to modify or eliminate this document or its content. This document supersedes all previous policies, procedures or guidelines pertaining to this subject.

Our core value of community bands us together in supportive and inclusive ways to drive our collective success. Boot Barn provides equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national or ethnic origin, veteran or military status, disability, as well as any other protected status under the law.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - Boot Barn will provide reasonable accommodations (such as a qualified sign language interpreter or other personal assistance) with the application process upon your request as required by applicable laws. If you have a disability and require assistance in this application process, please visit your nearest Boot Barn Store or Distribution Center or reach out to Human Resources at 1-949-453-4400, Option 4.

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