Company Description:
Founded in late 2014, Affordable Luxury Group is a leading handbag company, home to a portfolio of beloved and admired brands: Aimee Kestenberg, and American Leather Co.
Affordable Luxury Group prioritizes responsible & ethical sourcing, using environmentally friendly materials and processes. Our brands are proud members of the Leather Working Group, which ensures that the materials being sourced meet the highest environmental standards.
With hard work comes recognition; in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2024 the Company landed on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list of America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies.
ABOUT THE JOB:
We are seeking a motivated and experienced Product Development lead to join our team. This key role is focused on managing all stages of the product development process from concept through launch for Aimee Kestenberg. Key details are ensuring that products are developed on time and made right.
This position reports into the Head of Production and is responsible for leading the cross-functional team through the product development process, overseeing sampling processes, managing communication with suppliers, and ensuring the seamless execution through purchase order hand-off. This role combines the need for intensive understanding of process, product, and the ability to build strong internal cross-functional relationships and external partnerships.
This role is Hybrid and requires 3 days in the office (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday), based conveniently in Midtown near the Empire State Building.
This Role is Tailor-Made for You Because:
You are interested in handbag product development, sourcing, and production. You are excited to be a part of a dynamic, creative environment and love product! The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, highly organized, and excels at adhering to deadlines and calendars, ensuring timely and efficient task completion.
A Day in the Life:
As THE Product Development team member, no two days will be the same. You’ll support the entire product development process, from initial concept to receipt of Showroom Samples. Your tasks might include shipping and tracking samples, maintaining the standards library, or tracking and uploading comments for SMS. You’ll collaborate with amazing teams across design, technical design, production, and merchandising to bring our products to life.
Calendar:
• Manage and maintain a comprehensive calendar of milestone events, both internal and external, ensuring effective coordination and timely execution of all development deliverables including but not limited to leather, color, artwork and prototype development.
• Lead weekly recurring cross-functional development meetings to track progress to milestone events, troubleshooting as needed to ensure timelines are met.
• Use tools such as development WIPs to manage deliverables across various cross-functional team members.
Sample Management:
• Handle all communication with suppliers as it relates to development from initial leather development through SMS ensuring comments are released in a timely manner to protect calendars, effectively shifting team priorities as needed to maintain timing.
• Manage physical samples and development libraries, monitoring sample check-outs, archiving, etc.
Role Requirements
• 3+ years of experience in handbag development is a must.
• Strong knowledge of the handbag industry and market trends
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects and deadlines
• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Can thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Positive attitude, passion, and integrity
• Action-oriented and strong work ethic.
• Willingness to learn and take on new challenges
What We Offer
- Health, dental, and vision benefits
- Paid parental leave
- 401(k) with employer match
- A strong team culture that fosters ongoing growth opportunities
- A stable, growing family-owned company that looks after its employees