Associate Manager, Product Development

Rent the Runway (RTR)  is transforming the way we get dressed by pioneering the world’s first Closet in the Cloud. Founded in 2009, RTR has disrupted the $2.4 trillion fashion industry by inspiring women with a more joyful, sustainable and financially-savvy way to feel their best every day. As the ultimate destination for circular fashion, the brand now offers infinite points of access to its shared closet via a fully customizable subscription to fashion, one-time rental or ownership. RTR offers designer apparel and accessories from 700+ brand partners and has built in-house proprietary technology and a one-of-a-kind reverse logistics operation. RTR has been named to CNBC’s “Disruptor 50” five times in ten years, and has been placed on Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies list multiple times.

Rent the Runway is looking for an Associate Manager, Product Development for Exclusive Designs who can independently manage the design process from concept to warehouse for a tranche of brands while also assisting in other areas of the product development office.  As the Associate, you will leverage our data to partner with designers to create assortments that satisfy customer demand and manage the production process  with our manufacturers.  This is a developmental position that prepares you for a Product Development Manager role.

• →Partner with planning, data analytics and designers to own the development lifecycle from end to end for area of responsibility to build successful designer/tastemaker collaborations
• →Collaborate with vendors to ensure all styles are sourced in core fabrications and negotiate garment costs with suppliers to hit our internal targets

• Review execution of all development samples and monitor line development activities throughout the season
• Attend all fittings and partner with technical design team & suppliers to ensure we are developing best in class product that leverages our data in decision making
• Support Manager with materials for style out & designer product reviews.
• Manage any product related issues (e.g., sample delivery timing, style execution, costing)
• Communicate all PA / PO information to Product Assistant and manage accuracy and completeness of PO entry and tracking
• Ensure PLM is updated throughout the season by Product Assistant
• Maintains a keen awareness of the changing internal/external business environment (emerging fashion trends, customer trends, supply chain challenges, sustainability initiatives) and anticipate how these changes impact the business; pro-actively develops course of action to address
• Demonstrates mastery of systems to efficiently find and interpret data essential to making sound business decisions and uses strategic thinking and analysis to drive new ideas and results
• Independently takes the initiative to explore, implement new opportunities and processes
• Acts as a go-to person on the team and is a resource for Assistant, Product Development
• Work closely with cross-functional partners in Planning, Creative, Marketing, Operations and Site Merchandising to drive business decisions and successful brand launches.

• Bachelor’s degree

• Minimum 3-4 years product development skills experience
• Very strong retail math skills and strong understanding of financials (OTB)
• Practice open and continuous communication, values keeping others informed, effective at presenting information in a clear and concise manner
• Excellent leadership, facilitation and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work cross functionally and externally at many levels
• Analytical skills.  Ability to think creatively, strategically and technically

• Self-starter with team-player attitude who takes ownership and initiative and can excel in a fast-paced, high growth environment
• Ability to lead by example with a high standard of professionalism and positive attitude
• Collaborative, enthusiastic and research minded; ability to use feedback from others in a constructive way
• Results and deadline-oriented with a strong sense of follow through 
• Must have strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel/Word/PowerPoint) and Google Suite. PLM experience is a plus. Open to learning new systems.