What are the responsibilities and job description for the New Product Development Manager position at SoTalent?
Job Title: New Product Development Manager
Location: Portland, OR
Type : Full Time
Our client is looking for a talented, organized professional to lead the New Product Development (NPD) process and help bring beautiful, innovative products to our showrooms and clients. If you love managing cross‑functional projects, shaping product strategy, and turning creative concepts into market‑ready launches, this role is for you.
What You’ll Do
Lead New Product Launches
- Guide cross‑functional teams through the full product development lifecycle—from concept to launch.
- Manage launch budgets, including development, tooling, sampling, display, and marketing expenses.
- Build and maintain project timelines; anticipate risks and keep development on track.
- Communicate progress, updates, and risks to leadership while partnering to remove obstacles.
- Negotiate supplier agreements and manage contracts for new products and vendor partnerships.
Own End‑of‑Life (EOL) Product Strategy
- Lead planning and execution for product phase‑outs to align with business goals.
- Partner closely with product, planning, sales, and marketing teams on EOL strategy, sell‑through, and product transitions.
- Analyze product data to determine when to retire items and how to maximize profitability.
- Communicate EOL timelines to internal teams and external partners.
- Manage sell‑down efforts, including relationship‑building with third‑party retailers.
- Keep documentation and systems updated and accurate.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration
- Work with Product Development, Product Managers, and Marketing to build cohesive product launch and lifecycle plans.
- Drive continuous improvement in launch and lifecycle processes.
- Champion product strategy across the organization and help ensure launches are delivered on time and in full.
What You Bring
- 4 years of experience in product management, new product development, or similar roles.
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field preferred (not required).
- Experience in retail, consumer goods, design, interiors, or fashion strongly preferred.
- Proven success managing complex cross‑functional projects.
- Strong project management, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Budget management experience is a plus.
- PMP certification preferred.