Director, Product Development

Job description

**About Waterworks** When you see the world’s most inspiring homes and hotels, you invariably find Waterworks in the mix. For over 40 years, our designs have elevated the bath and kitchen experience, with exquisite fittings, fixtures, hardware and more. We strive to be participants in exceptional design moments not just through our products, but through how our company name shows up in the world at large. **What We Provide** What gives us an edge over our competitors is our people. We work in a highly collaborative, creative environment that values each team member’s contributions to our mission. We empower our associates with extensive training, career growth opportunities, competitive salaries, bonus potential and a comprehensive benefits package including medical/dental/vision, and 401k retirement savings plan. We offer a generous PTO program (vacation, personal and sick time) with additional perks like some summer half days and a volunteer day. The company observes at least 8 federal holidays throughout the calendar year plus a floating holiday that associates can use at their discretion. **The Role** The Product Director, Fittings is a senior business leader responsible for translating strategy into an executable product portfolio that delivers commercial performance, elevates the Waterworks brand, and supports long-term business objectives. This role demonstrates expertise in leading multi-year product roadmaps, global cross-functional teams and delivering measurable results through design integrity, technical discipline and P&L accountability for Waterworks leading product category. Working within the strategic direction established by executive leadership, the Product Director aligns product vision, operational execution and financial performance with partners in Design, Engineering, Compliance, Supply Chain, Finance, Sales, Marketing, and Digital to execute a focused, profitable portfolio. This is a hybrid role that requires onsite presence at the Danbury Corporate office a minimum of 3 days per week. ### Responsibilities Portfolio Leadership & Execution - Translate strategy into executable category plans and portfolio initiatives - Optimize portfolio structure and assortment across Fittings category - Drive portfolio performance through disciplined lifecycle management - Prioritize initiatives and allocate resources to maximize business value - Translate customer insights, market trends, and competitive intelligence into actionable product and merchandising plans - Identify opportunities, manage risks, and recommend portfolio adjustments and investment priorities for executive review Financial & Business Performance - Accountable for achieving category revenue, gross margin, inventory productivity, and profitability objectives - Collaborate with Finance to develop and deliver P&L for all category projects, annual operating planning, pricing architecture, and investment allocation - Partner with Supply Chain to confirm development and production capacity with manufacturing partners delivers financial targets and growth for the Fittings category Cross-Functional Leadership - Drive organizational alignment through structured portfolio reviews, milestone governance, and cross-functional decision making - Connect functions across Design, Engineering, Finance, Supply Chain, Marketing and Sales to deliver predictable execution - Lead cross-functional decision making that drives accountability, alignment, and timely execution Product Development Leadership - Lead portfolio development priorities, governance, and resource allocation to deliver products on time, to quality standards, and within business objectives - Oversee all product development initiatives, ensuring design integrity, technical precision, and adherence to brand and compliance standards - Partner with Engineering, Compliance and Quality, along with external vendors to drive innovation, cost competitiveness, and operational readiness across global markets - Leverage advanced PLM tools and digital platforms to streamline development timelines, product data accuracy, and cross-functional transparency Market Leadership & Customer Experience - Monitor competitive landscape and emerging market trends to translate customer insights into portfolio recommendations and product plans - Benchmark portfolio performance against competitors - Lead global merchandising strategy to ensure alignment of product assortment with regional and channel needs - Collaborate with Store Design, Marketing, and Digital teams to execute impactful in-store and online merchandising experiences People Leadership & Organizational Capability - Develop a high-performing Product Development and Merchandising team through coaching, succession planning, and organizational capability building Other accountabilities as assigned. ### Requirements - 15+ years leading product strategy, merchandising, product development and business management within premium, luxury, or design-led consumer products - Demonstrated success managing global supplier relationships, manufacturing partners, and complex product development programs - Exceptional business acumen with demonstrated success using financial analysis, market insights, and customer data to guide investment decisions - Proven experience leading cross-functional organizations through influence, organizational alignment, and strategic decision-making - Exceptional communication, presentation, and stakeholder leadership skills - Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (MBA or equivalent) beneficial - Domestic and international travel required up to 40%