Sr. Product Development Manager
Position Overview
Our client in the automotive accessories industry is looking for a Senior Product Development Manager. This is a full-time, onsite role. The position begins as soon as early-mid April and is a long-term, permanent hire.
This role is HYBRID, onsite, in Richmond, IL M-Th. WFH Friday.
Key Responsibilities
- Own the full front-end product development process from ideation through validation, development, and handoff for commercialization
- Lead concept creation, competitive analysis, and early-stage innovation for key automotive accessory categories (seat covers, steering wheel covers, cushions, floor mats, mobile accessories)
- Develop complete product briefs, determine feasibility, and guide designers through early stages of product creation
- Build and present business cases including pricing, margin targets, positioning, and financial analysis
- Partner with global suppliers and factories to develop prototypes, optimize cost structures, and ensure manufacturability
- Approve prototypes and oversee all aspects of testing, quality, compliance, and packaging
- Ensure projects meet timeline, cost, and quality targets throughout a 4-Stage Gate process (Ideate -- Validate -- Develop -- Commercialize)
- Collaborate closely with marketing on launch tiers and go-to-market strategy (Gold/Silver/etc.)
- Lead portfolio strategy by managing both new product development and existing product improvements
- Identify cost savings, margin enhancements, and line optimization opportunities post-launch
- Provide leadership and potential direction to a small team based in Richmond and Australia (future direct reports)
- Support the organizations shift from an in-store product mindset to a digital-first product strategy
- Report directly to the VP of Product
Qualifications
- Proven ability to develop, launch, scale, innovative products.
- 10+ years in product development, product management, or category management.
- Experience working within a stage gate or NPD product development process.
- Prior leadership experience leading teams.
In this position, you may have access to client or customer systems, confidential and/or proprietary information or data. This position is onsite and requires you to work closely with other individuals in a collaborative team environment.
Email Your Resume In Word To
twood@creativecircle.com
Looking forward to receiving your resume through our website and going over the position with you. Clicking apply is the best way to apply.
Please do NOT change the email subject line in any way. You must keep the JobID: linkedin : TW7-1980369 -- in the email subject line for your application to be considered.
Trevor Wood - Senior Solutions Delivery Recruiter
For Creative Circle to represent you for this opportunity, you must be currently authorized to work in the United States without the need of employer sponsorship for a non-immigrant visa such as a H-1B, TN, or O visa. We do not support or provide training for STEM/OPT programs. Additionally, you must be physically located in and perform the work for our client in the United States.This is a new role.
This job was first posted by Creative Circle on 03/11/2026 and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled or closed.
Creative Circle is an Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Our hiring process includes AI screening for keywords and minimum qualifications. Recruiters review all results. Creative Circle will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local law, including but not limited to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the California Fair Chance Act. If you need a reasonable accommodation in the application process, please contact your Recruiter (the person you'll be interviewing with) or a member of our Human Resources team to make arrangements. United Healthcare creates and publishes the Transparency in Coverage Machine-Readable Files on behalf of Creative Circle.
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