VP, Product Development & Sourcing

Summary

We are looking for a Head of Product Development & Sourcing to lead the expansion of Away’s product line into a full travel lifestyle assortment, including iterations of our core suitcase line, our sourcing strategy and execution across all product categories, our QC processes, and our IP strategy around our product innovations.

Our mission at Away is to make travel as seamless and enjoyable as possible: we launched in February 2016 with the perfect carry-on, expanded later in the year to the perfect checked bags, and are now on a mission to create the perfect version of everything you need to travel seamlessly. We obsess over how we can improve our customers’ experiences by designing and manufacturing products for the travel experience and offering them at an unprecedented price by going direct-to-consumer and eliminating wholesale markups.

The ideal candidate is deeply experienced in product development, production, sourcing, and QC for luggage, bags, and small leather goods and is excited to lead a team in this phase of the business where product line expansion is a key strategic initiative. This role is based in our Noho, NYC headquarters and reports to the Co-Founder and CEO.

Some of what you’ll do:

• Build and lead our Product Development & Sourcing team to develop new products and improve existing products and packaging in a way that results in on time, on budget products that improve travel experiences and delight our customers
• Work cross functionally with our Product Design, Graphic Design, Insights, Operations, and Marketing teams to take products from idea to launch to constant iterations
• Lead R&D of new, innovative materials and design concepts as well as liaise with our external counsel on the IP protection of those new innovations
• Lead sourcing for new product categories as well as for supply chain redundancy for key existing product and component categories
• Strategize and implement a QC/QA program that can scale with our rapid business growth
• Manage Product Development annual budget including hiring, contractors, sampling, tooling, and travel
• Provide training, development, and mentorship for a lean but growing Product Development team so they can learn the ins and outs of quality, scalability, efficiency, and relationship-building when developing new products

Who you are:

• 10+ years of experience in Product Development, Production, and Sourcing roles with 5+ years of experience leading teams in these roles
• Experience with bags and leather accessories a must; hard shell luggage experience a plus
• Existing connections with suppliers in Asia and around the world
• Experience working with patent attorneys to protect innovative IP
• Deep knowledge of and experience in QC/QA strategy and ability to build processes and measure QC success
• Strong passion for people and a strong instinct for managing and developing talent
• Mandarin language skills a plus but not required
• Impeccable attention to detail
• Able to communicate clearly and seamlessly with a wide array of internal and external stakeholders
• Strategic thinker with the proven ability to execute and build scalable processes and systems
• Love to travel (but that's a given)

Benefits

• Competitive salary + equity
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Fitness reimbursement
• Quarterly company outings
• Annual international team trips

ABOUT AWAY

Away (awaytravel.com) is modernizing the travel experience, beginning with your luggage, while striving to set the example for how socially conscious companies should conduct themselves. In November 2015, we launched our brand in Vogue, GQ, and USA Today, and have been featured in over 80 publications including New York Magazine, Travel + Leisure, and Wallpaper*. Away was founded by two Warby Parker alums and has raised $31M in venture funding from investors including Global Founders Capital, Forerunner Ventures, and Accel Partners.