Senior Product Development & Sourcing Manager
What You'll Do
- Manage the development of trading card products, collector sets, accessories, and promotional items from concept through production.
- Collaborate with design, licensing, marketing, and sales teams to create innovative products that align with market trends and company objectives.
- Develop product specifications, packaging requirements, and production timelines.
- Evaluate new product opportunities, materials, printing techniques, finishes, and collector-focused features.
- Monitor industry trends, competitor products, and collector preferences to inform future product development.
- Identify, evaluate, and onboard domestic and international manufacturers, printers, and suppliers.
- Negotiate pricing, production terms, MOQs, lead times, and supplier agreements.
- Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure quality, reliability, and cost efficiency.
- Source materials including card stock, packaging components, specialty finishes, promotional inserts, and collectibles-related accessories.
- Develop contingency sourcing strategies to mitigate supply chain risks.
- Manage production schedules to ensure products are delivered on time and within budget.
- Coordinate with suppliers, logistics partners, and internal teams throughout the manufacturing process.
- Track project milestones and proactively resolve production delays or quality concerns.
- Monitor inventory requirements and collaborate with operations teams on forecasting and replenishment planning.
- Ensure compliance with applicable safety, labeling, and regulatory requirements.
- Establish and maintain product quality standards across all product lines.
- Review production samples, proofs, prototypes, and pre-production runs.
- Conduct vendor performance evaluations and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
- Resolve quality issues and oversee corrective action plans with suppliers.
- Develop and manage product cost targets and production budgets.
- Analyze product margins and identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality.
- Support annual product roadmaps and long-term sourcing strategies.
- Prepare reports and recommendations for senior leadership regarding product performance and supplier partnerships.
Who You Are
-
Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Product Development, Operations, Marketing, or a related field.
-
5+ years of experience in product development, sourcing, procurement, or manufacturing management.
-
Experience managing overseas suppliers and manufacturing partners.
-
Strong negotiation and vendor management skills.
-
Excellent project management and organizational abilities.
-
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and ERP/project management systems.
-
Ability to manage multiple product launches simultaneously.
-
Experience in trading cards, collectibles, tabletop gaming, sports licensing, toys, publishing, or consumer products.
-
Knowledge of card printing processes, packaging production, and collectibles manufacturing.
-
Familiarity with international sourcing and import/export logistics.
-
Experience working with licensed intellectual property products.
-
Passion for trading cards, collectibles, sports, gaming, or pop culture.
-
Product Innovation
-
Strategic Sourcing
-
Vendor Negotiation
-
Supply Chain Management
-
Cost Analysis & Budgeting
-
Cross-Functional Leadership
-
Quality Management
-
Problem Solving
-
Project Management
-
Market Trend Analysis
-
On-time product launches
-
Product quality and defect rates
-
Gross margin performance
-
Supplier performance and reliability
-
Inventory efficiency
- Customer and Collector satisfaction
-
New product development cycle times
Preferred Skills
Key Competencies
Success Metrics