SWIM USA is a family owned and operated swimwear company established in 1936. We are a global industry leader in the design, manufacture, and marketing of branded, licensed, and private label swimwear. We are looking for a dynamic and talented Product Manager to join our team in our New York City office.
Job Summary
Manage product development, sourcing, pre-production, and production activities across assigned brands. Serve as key cross-functional partner between Sales, Design, Technical Design, suppliers and overseas manufacturing partners to ensure products are developed and delivered in alignment with quality standards, cost targets and seasonal milestones.
Primary Responsibilities
Product Development & Pre-Production
- Manage seasonal product development calendars to ensure key milestones are met.
- Support cross-functional product development meetings by preparing agendas, tracking action items, and following up on deliverables.
- Maintain accurate product development information within PLM systems.
- Track status of strike-offs, lab dips, and fabric development, highlighting potential risks to timelines when needed.
- Collaborate with internal teams to identify and address development risks related to samples, materials, costing, and lead times.
- Manage trim development activities with suppliers and internal teams, ensuring timely approvals and execution.
- Ensure customer-specific product requirements are clearly understood, communicated, and executed, including testing, compliance, packaging, labeling, finishing, certifications, and quality standards.
- Develop and maintain calendars for bi-monthly artwork reviews and design development meetings to support seasonal planning and cross-functional alignment.
- Support seasonal costing reviews by requesting, reviewing, and helping analyze supplier quotations under leadership guidance.
- Maintain organized seasonal costing and development documentation by brand.
Production Management
- Oversee production readiness by ensuring all key requirements are complete prior to order release.
- Create and maintain bulk production style setup, purchase orders and cutting lists.
- Monitor production status and coordinate issue resolution in partnership with factories and suppliers.
- Manage daily communication with factories, mills, trim suppliers, and overseas partners.
- Partner with logistics teams to support shipment tracking and delivery coordination.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Build and maintain strong working relationships across Sales, Design, Technical Design, Operations, Sourcing, Logistics, and overseas teams.
- Foster alignment across teams to support seasonal development and production goals.
- Identify and escalate risks or issues that may impact timelines, quality or business objectives.
- Support strategic initiatives and special projects assigned by the VP of Product Management & Operations.
Qualifications/Requirements
Education & Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising, Apparel Production, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field preferred (or equivalent experience).
- 5+ years of experience in product development, sourcing, production management or related industry functions.
Skills:
- Strong understanding of product development, sourcing, costing manufacturing, and supply chain process.
- Experience working with overseas factories, mills, and suppliers.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and seasonal timelines.
- Analytical skills with the ability to evaluate costing, margins, and lead times.
- Proficiency in PLM and ERP systems (YPLM and Blue Cherry experience a plus).
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills for tracking, reporting, and analysis.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills across internal and external partners.
- Detail-oriented with a focus on accuracy and follow-through.
- Swimwear, intimate apparel, or fashion apparel experience preferred.
Working Conditions: This position is primarily office-based and requires a minimum of three days per week in the office. Additional in-office presence may be required based on seasonal business needs, team meetings, or management discretion.
Travel: Occasional travel may be required between New York and Pennsylvania offices for meetings, training, and cross-functional collaboration.
Physical Demands: Must be able to sit, stand, and walk for up to 8 hours per day, as well as occasionally lift and carry product samples, fabric swatches, and related materials.
Note: Manager reserves the right to modify job description based on business need
