Product Development Manager

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, FOOTWEAR/BOOTS

REPORTS TO: SR. PRODUCT DEVELOPER MANAGER

STATUS: EXEMPT

Summary

Boot Barn is where community comes first. We thrive on togetherness, collaboration, and belonging. We build each other up, listen intently, and implement out-of-the-box ideas.  We celebrate new innovations, congratulate one another's achievements, and most importantly support each other.

At Boot Barn, we work together to make a positive impact on the world around us, and by working collectively with encouragement, we consider ourselves "Partners." With the values of the West guiding us, Boot Barn celebrates heritage, welcomes all, and values each unique Partner within our Boot Barn community.

Our vision is to offer everyone a piece of the American spirit – one handshake at a time. 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Product Development Manager is responsible for leading the execution of global product development strategies for assigned categories, driving each product from concept through final production handoff. This role ensures all styles meet Boot Barn's Exclusive Brands standards for design intent, quality, cost, and market relevance. The manager is accountable for product lifecycle management, vendor execution, margin achievement, and development timelines.

Functioning as a strategic partner and cross-functional leader, this role collaborates closely with Design, Merchandising, Sourcing, Planning, and Technical Design teams to deliver commercially viable products that meet seasonal and financial goals. The Product Development Manager will lead material and trim innovation, oversee PLM data accuracy, and manage vendor relations to ensure timely and high-quality product execution.

This position requires strategic thinking, strong technical product knowledge, and a proven ability to manage multiple product categories in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.  This role requires international travel for up to 14 days at a time in multiple countries of origin up to 35% of the year.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Product Lifecycle Management
  Own end-to-end product development processes for assigned categories from concept to production handoff, ensuring adherence to calendar deadlines and margin targets.
• Tech Pack and BOM Ownership
  Oversee the accuracy and maintenance of technical specifications and Bills of Materials (BOMs) in Centric PLM; ensure alignment with current design and sourcing requirements.
• Material and Trim Development
  Lead preseason raw material development, driving fabric innovation, trim package execution, and lab dip/print/wash approvals aligned with design direction and costing goals.
• Style Creation and PLM Management
  Manage seasonal style setup and carryover updates in PLM, including style status, colorways, and development tracking across key product categories.
• Vendor Communication and Sample Management
  Own communication with international and domestic vendor partners, including sample requests, development changes, and risk escalation to ensure timely and accurate sample delivery.
• Product Costing and Margin Achievement
  Collaborate with Sourcing and Finance to engineer products to margin targets through smart material selection, construction changes, and cost-saving recommendations.
• Cross-Functional Leadership
  Partner with Merchandising, Design, and Technical Design to support fit sessions, communicate style comments, and align development progress with seasonal strategies.
• Risk Mitigation and Calendar Management
  Monitor key development milestones; proactively identify risks to product readiness and drive solutions to ensure delivery timelines are met
• Final Line Handoff
  Oversee formal handoff of final line packages to Technical Design and Production teams post-Line Freeze, ensuring all development work is complete and approved.
• PLM & WIP Accuracy
  Ensure Centric PLM and work-in-progress reports are current, accurate, and aligned with key product development stages and approvals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, Product Development, Textiles, or related field
• 10+ years of experience with large-scale, high-volume global apparel product development with demonstrated success in managing complexity or related years of experience
• In-depth knowledge of garment construction, textile development, and product costing—experience with complex categories like footwear, leather, denim, outerwear, or performance products is highly preferred
• Proven ability to manage full product lifecycle from Concept to Buy placement with a focus on cost engineering
• Excellent communications skills with a track record of achieving metrics without compromising product quality or timelines
• Proficient with PLM, Microsoft Office Suite; Advanced Excel, and experience with ERP software a plus
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on cost engineering and process efficiency
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast paced, deadline driven environment
• Ability to travel a minimum of 35% to visit vendors, mills and development facilities when requested
• Excellent communication, customer service, time management and organizational skills
• Excellent leadership skills
• Ability to manage and develop talent

Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
  Understands product goals in relation to broader business objectives; proactively aligns development strategies with margin and timeline expectations.
• Product Expertise
  Brings deep knowledge of fabric development, garment construction, and vendor capabilities to drive high-quality, commercial product.
• Cross-Functional Leadership
  Builds strong partnerships across departments to drive alignment and remove development bottlenecks.
• Project & Calendar Management
  Drives timelines and critical path deliverables across multiple categories, ensuring milestone adherence.
• Vendor & Relationship Management
  Manages vendor performance and communication with clarity and accountability to ensure product execution.
• Adaptability
  Operates effectively in fast-paced, high-growth environments and remains solution-oriented through ambiguity.
• Data-Driven Decision Making
  Uses PLM, cost sheets, and WIPs to inform development decisions and support process improvements.
• Ownership & Accountability
  Demonstrates initiative, integrity, and follow-through across all product development touchpoints.

Boot Barn Benefits & Additional Compensation Opportunities

• Competitive salary.**
• Merchandise discount: 50% off of Exclusive Brands and 40% off of third-party brands.
• Paid Time Off plan for year-round Boot Barn Partners.*
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance.*
• 401(k) plan with generous company matching.
• Flexible schedules and work/life balance.
• Opportunities for growth at every level – we are opening 50+ new stores each year.

*For eligible Boot Barn Partners

PAY RANGE: $80, $95,000.00*

*compensation varies based on geography, skills, experience, and tenure

Physical Demands

In general, the following physical demands are representative of those that must be met by a Partner to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to allow differently abled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Standing, walking and squatting less than fifty percent of the work shift.
• Required to lift, move and carry up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to read, count and write to accurately complete all documentation and reports.
• Must be able to see, hear and speak in order to communicate with partners and customers.
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Manual dexterity required using hands to finger; handle, feel and type; reach with hands and arms.

[    ] Sedentary: Limited activity, no lifting, limited walking

[ X ] Light: Office work, some lifting, bending, stooping or kneeling, walking

[    ] Moderate: Mostly standing, walking, bending, frequent lifting

[    ] Arduous: Heavy lifting, bending, crawling, climbing

Work Environment

In general, the following conditions of the work environment are representative of those that a Partner encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to allow differently abled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job within the environment.

• The workspace is clean, orderly, properly lighted and ventilated with the proper safety compliance.
• Noise levels are considered moderate.

Boot Barn, Inc. reserves the right to make exceptions to modify or eliminate this document or its content.  This document supersedes all previous policies, procedures or guidelines pertaining to this subject.

Our core value of community bands us together in supportive and inclusive ways to drive our collective success. Boot Barn provides equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national or ethnic origin, veteran or military status, disability, as well as any other protected status under the law.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - Boot Barn will provide reasonable accommodations (such as a qualified sign language interpreter or other personal assistance) with the application process upon your request as required by applicable laws. If you have a disability and require assistance in this application process, please visit your nearest Boot Barn Store or Distribution Center or reach out to Human Resources at , Option 4.

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