VP of Product Development, Foundations
New York, NY | Compensation to be confirmed | Full-Time, On-Site
This is a senior product leadership role at an apparel company based in New York City specializing in women's foundations. The VP of Product Development owns the full development pipeline for the foundations category, with direct responsibility for bra construction, pad development, and cross-functional alignment between design, technical, and production teams operating across New York and China.
Schedule
Full-time, on-site in New York City. Regular coordination with production partners in China will require flexibility across time zones.
Compensation
$175,000 - $200,000 Per Year
What You'll Do
You will lead product development for the women's foundations category from concept through production-ready execution. That means making and owning decisions across every element of bra construction, including frames, wings, cups, straps, and hardware, with a clear understanding of how each choice affects fit, performance, comfort, and product integrity. You will be expected to evaluate construction options not just for aesthetic outcome but for their downstream impact on quality, cost, and manufacturability.
Bra pad development is a core technical focus of this role. You will bring deep working knowledge of pad construction processes, including materials selection, lamination, molding, and construction options, and apply that knowledge to decisions that shape silhouette, comfort, quality, and cost across the line. This is not a role where pad development is delegated to a specialist. The expectation is that you carry that expertise yourself and lead the team through it.
You will serve as the connective layer between design, technical, and production across two geographies. The New York team and the China production operation need to function as a single, aligned unit, and building and sustaining that culture is a standing part of this role. That includes regular cross-functional communication, shared accountability for timelines and quality standards, and a leadership presence that earns credibility on both sides of the product process.
Required Qualifications
- Substantial experience in product development within the women's intimate apparel or foundations category
- Hands-on, technical understanding of bra construction, including frames, wings, cups, straps, and hardware
- Deep expertise in bra pad development and pad making processes, including materials, lamination, molding, and construction variables
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional product teams across design, technical, and production functions
- Experience managing or coordinating with overseas production, specifically China-based manufacturing partners
- Track record of senior-level product leadership with accountability for quality, cost, and timeline outcomes
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience at the VP level or equivalent within a foundations or intimate apparel brand
- Background working with both domestic and international production simultaneously
- Familiarity with fit and wear testing protocols specific to the foundations category
- Experience building or reorganizing cross-functional team structures across geographies
- Existing relationships within the China intimate apparel manufacturing ecosystem
To apply, submit your resume and a brief overview of your foundations product development experience, with specific reference to bra construction and pad development work.
