About Us:

Rent the Runway (RTR)  is transforming the way we get dressed by pioneering the world’s first Closet in the Cloud. Founded in 2009, RTR has disrupted the $2.4 trillion fashion industry by inspiring women with a more joyful, sustainable and financially-savvy way to feel their best every day. As the ultimate destination for circular fashion, the brand now offers infinite points of access to its shared closet via a fully customizable subscription to fashion, one-time rental or ownership. RTR offers designer apparel, accessories and home decor from 700+ brand partners and has built in-house proprietary technology and a one-of-a-kind reverse logistics operation. Under CEO and Co-Founder Jennifer Hyman’s leadership, RTR has been named to CNBC’s “Disruptor 50” five times in ten years, and has been placed on Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies list multiple times, while Hyman herself has been named to the “TIME 100” most influential people in the world and as one of People magazine’s “Women Changing the World.”

About the Team:

The Exclusive Designs team is a focal area to RTR’s growth strategy and we work at the intersection between fashion and data for RTR.  We  lead initiatives that are essential to evolving our relationships with brands, the customer and analytics.  We are a rapidly growing team of dynamic and scrappy individuals who are passionate about leveraging data in product development, sourcing and design.

About the Job:

The Product Development Manager acts as an owner and product category expert who can develop and grow the Private Brands business. This person is responsible for supporting all aspects of the business. They are able to multitask efficiently and effectively while maintaining flexibility to accommodate the changing needs of the business. They are experienced in solving complex problems through communication with both domestic and international partners. The Product Development Manager builds strong cross functional relationships by approaching all interactions with both a data and fashion POV.  This person has a deep understanding of retail math, product performance requirements, materials, and production processes.

What You’ll Do:

• Grow Private Label Business- Responsible for strategic planning and development of Private Label brands that speak to our customer inventory needs though partnership with the data analytics team.  Consistently deliver exceptional quality product while delivering improved Return on Investment.
• Vendor Development –Develops deep understanding of vendor capabilities and works to improve vendor performance in terms of development process adherence, quality and fit. Identifies and vets new vendors and markets to add to the matrix. Strengthen relationships through process support, communication, and negotiation.
• Strategically develop existing suppliers and attract new suppliers who can provide desirable speed, cost, product strengths. Manage the supplier matrix. 
• Test new business models with a focus on beta testing an in-season “Test & React” strategy through key domestic supplier partnerships leveraging data to focus on specific tranches of inventory
• Timeline Management- Builds production calendar/workflows to  succeed in meeting all timing goals. Manages communication and adherence to  calendar workflow with all internal & external partners
• Costing- Identifies opportunities for cost engineering and negotiating costs with suppliers
• Manage all phases of development cycle from initial concept through warehouse delivery
• Manage and oversee a direct report in 2022, ensuring continuous learning and professional development

About You: 

• Degree in Merchandising/Product Development, Design or equivalent years of experience
• Must have 8 years of experience in product development, design or production in garment manufacturing
• Previous experience with management preferred
• Exceptionally strong problem solving, negotiating skills and out of the box thinking
• Demonstrated ability to work in a high paced and scrappy environment
• Ability to partner cross functionally and build strong working relationships with respect
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstration of a high level of organization in the product development process
• Strong experience in use of programs such as Excel, Powerpoint and Google Workplace & Tableau
• Working knowledge of programs such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and PLM
• Demonstrated ability to be proactive and prioritize
• Solution oriented and strong initiative
• Results oriented, willingness to go above and beyond

Benefits:

At Rent the Runway, we’re committed to the wellbeing of our employees, and aim to create a workplace that fosters both personal and professional growth. Our inclusive benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Paid Time Off including vacation, paid bereavement, and family sick leave - every employee needs time to take care of themselves and their family.
• Universal Paid Parental Leave for both parents + flexible return to work program  - because we know your newest family member(s) deserve your undivided attention.
• Paid Sabbatical after 5 years of continuous service - Unplug, recharge, and have some fun!
• Exclusive employee subscription and rental discounts -  to ensure you experience the magic of renting the runway (and give us valued feedback!).
• Comprehensive health, vision, dental, FSA and dependent care from day 1 of employment - Your health comes first and we’ve got you covered.
• 401k match - an investment in your future.
• Company wide events and outings - our team spirit is no joke - we know how to have fun!
• Hybrid Work - when our corporate employees return to the office post COVID they will have the option to work remotely 2-3 days a week, in accordance with Company policies. 

COVID-19 VACCINE REQUIREMENT:

RTR is requiring all US corporate employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 in order to work in person, unless an employee requires a reasonable accommodation for medical or religious reasons.  If you believe that you may require an accommodation, please apply for any roles that interest you and if hired, you will receive information on how to request a reasonable accommodation after your start date. RTR will evaluate all such requests in accordance with Company policy and applicable law.   

Rent the Runway is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with applicable law, we prohibit discrimination against any applicant or employee based on any legally-recognized basis, including, but not limited to: race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, childbirth or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed service member status or any other status protected by federal, state or local law.