Shady Rays, one of the largest mid-priced sunglasses brands in the U.S., has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Product Development Manager! We are a high growth, high impact company with a vision to become the largest mid-priced sunglasses brand in the U.S. and be the most loved brand in the industry. 

Position Summary:

The Senior Product Development Manager plays a critical role in collaborating across all internal teams. This position demands strong organizational skills, creativity, a proactive mindset, and the ability to work both independently and flexibly in a fast-paced environment. A commitment to continuous learning and professional growth is essential to ensure timely delivery of products aligned with company strategies and goals.

This role is responsible for overseeing development across all product categories, including sunglasses, goggles, apparel, and accessories. Key priorities include maintaining focus on cost, margins, delivery schedules, and product salability. The ideal candidate is highly proactive, capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously, and skilled at balancing budgets and timelines. They are solution-oriented and consistently offer ideas to enhance processes, integrate innovative approaches, and incorporate new materials into product development as needed.

Comfortable tackling challenges head-on, the Senior Product Development Manager thrives in a dynamic environment, contributing to the company's success through a combination of expertise, strategic thinking, and a collaborative spirit.

Job responsibilities (including, but not limited to the following):

·      Ownership of Development Process: Oversees the entire product development cycle, from ideation and design through to production, quality control, and delivery. Ensures daily development needs are addressed at both internal and factory levels.

o  Deadline Management: Communicates deadlines proactively with internal teams and external partners (vendors and suppliers) to ensure on-time product delivery. Provides product options to cross-functional teams while ensuring consistent updates on status, approvals, and challenges for all stakeholders.

o  Problem Resolution: Identifies and resolves development or process issues with suppliers and internal teams to keep projects on schedule.

o  Process Development: Creates and implements efficient product processes and documentation.

o  Records Management: Maintains detailed development files, including costs, lead times, and product codes, ensuring all information is well-organized and up-to-date.

o  Line Sheet Oversight: Owns and ensures the accuracy of the internal master line sheet for all product categories.

o  Final Approvals: Prepares and presents product details and recommendations for review and final approval by the Product Director.

·      Cost Optimization: Analyzes costs during development and post launch to identify savings opportunities and proposes solutions to improve margins while ensuring consistency across all factories.

·      Performance Analysis: Evaluates the success and shortcomings of each product seasonally, using insights to inform the design and development of future collections.

o  Strategic Support: Assists in strategy development across all product categories.

o  Production Collaboration: Works with factories to implement new production methods and capabilities.

·      Compliance Management: Completes and manages Factory Authorization Sheets (FAS) and oversees the FAS catalog for all projects.

o  Quality Assurance: Supports quality control procedures at factory and fulfillment levels to ensure product standards.

·      Team Leadership: Manages the product team, including direct reports, fostering collaboration, and professional growth.

·      Innovation and Research: Explores new technologies and materials, proposing innovative product ideas or enhancements to current offerings.

·      Travel Requirements: Occasional travel to headquarters, factories, trade shows, and other 

Go to Market/Brand collaboration

·      Provide accurate product details to brand team for go to market launch documentation

·      Collaborates with brand team around market research projects and develops understanding of target consumer broadly socializing insights within the company

·      Analyzes marketplace consistently to ensure products are competitive and superior to others

Qualifications

·      5+ years of product development experience, preferably with expertise in the optical/eyewear industry or injection molding processes.

·      Proven experience in managing incoming and outgoing QC/QA processes.

·      Meticulous organizational skills and a strong focus on detail to effectively manage development projects.

·      Exceptional ability to balance daily tasks with long-term strategic initiatives, ensuring workstreams progress seamlessly.

·      Strong independent problem-solving skills, particularly valuable in a remote work environment.

·      Capable of working both independently and within a team, with excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills.

·      Actively seeks opportunities to enhance products, processes, and overall project execution, while driving the company’s vision forward.

·      Excellent written and verbal communication abilities to convey ideas clearly and effectively.

·      Maintains an organized workflow to support both personal responsibilities and team objectives.

·      Works efficiently and effectively with a strong focus on meeting timelines and deadlines.

·      Comfortable receiving and integrating feedback from senior team members and providing constructive input when needed.

·      Demonstrates the ability to challenge ideas respectfully, fostering productive and positive cross-functional relationships.

·      Thrives in a remote working environment, maintaining strong communication and workflow processes.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE WORKING AT SHADY RAYS

Shady Rays is an independent lifestyle eyewear brand and one of the fastest-growing sunglasses brands in the U.S. All shades are made with high-quality, polarized lenses in a variety of sunglass frame styles. Every purchase goes towards making an impact in our communities through Shady Rays Impact charitable giving. From childhood cancer patients to young adults with serious health conditions, Shady Rays is making a lasting impact on their lives through sunglasses.

Join our dynamic and growing team and help us make a positive impact while disrupting the sunglasses industry. Be an integral part of a fast-growing, social conscious company with a positive culture.

Benefits

·      Competitive compensation plus ongoing incentives and annual bonus potential

·      Comprehensive health insurance

·      100% company paid dental and vision

·      PTO (Paid Time Off)

·      Paid holidays

·      Paid wellness days

·      401k with employer matching and immediate vesting

·      Employee discounts

·      Prescription discounts

·      Health program reimbursement

·      Employee development

·      Employee recognition

·      Short term disability

·      Life insurance

·      Paid maternity/paternity leave

·      Company-wide fitness challenges with rewards

·      Paid adventure days

·      Work From Home Reimbursement

Shady Rays is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Background check and drug test required prior to employment with ongoing random drug test potential.