Product Management Manager, Sweaters

POSITION OVERVIEW
As part of the Product Management team, the Manager, Yarn Research & Development will lead yarn research, seasonal development, and commercialization support for Polo Brands. This role partners closely with Design, Merchandising, Raw Materials, Technical Design, Sourcing Offices, factories, mills, and spinners to develop commercially viable yarn solutions that support brand aesthetic, product integrity, quality, cost, lead time, and regional sourcing strategies from concept through bulk production.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead seasonal yarn research and development for Polo Brands, partnering with Design, Merchandising, Raw Materials, Technical Design, Sourcing Offices, factories, mills, and spinners from concept through bulk production.
Research and propose innovative, brand-right, and commercially viable yarn qualities, blends, counts, gauges, finishes, and sourcing options that support design intent, product performance, cost targets, and lead-time needs.
Develop and maintain yarn platforms, seasonal yarn libraries, supplier capability mapping, and regional yarn strategies to improve consistency, flexibility, speed, and supply resilience.
Manage yarn development timelines, lab dips, color approvals, stitch trials, hand-feel reviews, testing requirements, and production readiness milestones to support on-time sample and bulk delivery.
Partner with mills, spinners, and sourcing teams to evaluate yarn feasibility, minimums, lead times, capacity, country-of-origin opportunities, quality risks, and cost implications.
Support counter-sourcing, cost engineering, and value-analysis opportunities while maintaining Polo brand standards, product integrity, and required quality/performance expectations.
Monitor seasonal yarn commitments, liability exposure, platform utilization, and carryover opportunities; communicate risks, recommendations, and mitigation plans to cross-functional partners.
Maintain accurate yarn development data, costing information, approval status, supplier notes, and seasonal metrics in PLM, Airtable, and other team tools.
Prepare and communicate yarn development updates for weekly WIPs, seasonal milestone meetings, costing reviews, and leadership discussions.
Identify and escalate issues related to yarn availability, color, quality, testing, minimums, cost, lead time, or delivery while driving timely solutions with internal and external partners.

EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE
Bachelor’s degree in Textile Development, Fashion/Apparel, Product Development, Sourcing, or related field preferred.
Experience in yarn development, raw materials, knitwear/sweater development, product development, sourcing, or a related apparel function.
Strong knowledge of yarns, fibers, blends, counts, gauges, spinning, dyeing, finishing, knitwear construction, testing requirements, and garment manufacturing processes.
Proven ability to evaluate yarn quality, hand feel, performance, costing, minimums, lead times, and supplier capabilities in support of seasonal business needs.
Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills; able to partner effectively with Design, Merchandising, Raw Materials, Technical Design, Sourcing Offices, mills, factories, and spinners.
Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage complex calendars, multiple seasonal priorities, accurate product information, and timely follow-through.
Agile, solution-oriented, and commercially minded; able to quickly pivot, problem solve, and recommend innovative yarn solutions that balance design intent, cost, quality, and delivery.
Strong computer skills, including Excel, Outlook, PLM, and Airtable; ability to maintain accurate development data and reporting.