Product Development Manager, Footwear / Boots

Product Development Manager, Footwear / Boots

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.