Job: Product development Manager (Jewelry)

Company Description

Our client is an established jewelry business with a long-standing presence in the market and a current growth trajectory. The company operates in a fast-paced, high-volume environment and is seeking to strengthen its product development function with a hands-on leader who can bring structure, technical rigor, and disciplined execution across multiple collections and SKUs.

Objective of the Role

The Product Development Manager will lead the end-to-end development of jewelry collections, from initial concept through sampling, approvals, and production readiness. This role is responsible for ensuring that designs are translated accurately into commercially viable products, while maintaining timelines, quality standards, and cross-functional alignment with design, sourcing, and production teams. The position requires an individual who can operate with a high degree of autonomy, anticipate issues early, and drive projects forward in a proactive and organized manner.

Ideal Profile

The ideal candidate brings solid jewelry product development experience gained in a high-volume, fast-paced business where multiple projects move simultaneously. This individual must be technically proficient, highly organized, and capable of managing the full development process, including tech packs, CAD coordination, samples, QA checkpoints, approvals, and production handoff. The successful candidate will be someone who already has effective working methods in place and can contribute immediately without a significant learning curve. A proactive mindset, strong ownership, and the ability to work closely with both creative and operational teams are essential. Experience managing or mentoring junior team members is highly desirable, as this role will help guide day-to-day activity within the department.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full jewelry product development lifecycle from concept to production handoff.
• Translate design intent into clear development documentation, including tech packs, specifications, and sample requirements.
• Coordinate with design, vendors, and internal stakeholders to move projects efficiently through CAD, sampling, approvals, and final execution.
• Establish and maintain timelines for multiple collections, projects, and SKUs, ensuring deliverables are completed on schedule.
• Oversee product quality throughout development, including materials, plating standards, stone specifications, and overall compliance with aesthetic and technical expectations.
• Partner closely with production to ensure smooth transition from approved development into manufacturing.
• Support the management and coordination of junior team members involved in the development process.
• Monitor progress, anticipate bottlenecks, and proactively escalate risks or propose solutions when needed.
• Contribute market and product insights that support commercially relevant product decisions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in jewelry design or a related field preferred. Broader production oversight experience would be considered an advantage.
• Proven experience in jewelry product development is required.
• Strong background in a high-volume, multi-SKU environment; fine jewelry experience alone without scale exposure may not be sufficient.
• Demonstrated ability to manage concept-to-sample-to-production workflows with accuracy and consistency.
• Strong technical knowledge of jewelry construction, materials, quality standards, and vendor coordination.
• Experience working with international suppliers and manufacturers.
• Proficiency with relevant design and development tools such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and jewelry-related CAD platforms.
• Excellent project management, communication, and organizational skills.
• A highly proactive, detail-oriented, and accountable working style.
• Ability to work on site as required, particularly during the initial integration period; hybrid flexibility may be considered once the individual is fully established in the role.