Product Development Manager, Plumbing

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 Manager – Fittings Development is responsible for the end-to-end execution and delivery of product development initiatives within the Fittings portfolio. Operating in a highly technical, compliance-driven environment, this role serves as a key execution partner and strategic support to the Senior Product Manager. This position will manage development timelines, ensure product data accuracy, coordinate with vendors, and drive launch readiness. The Product Manager plays a critical role in developing analytical, market, and cross-functional expertise to support future growth into a portfolio leadership role. With a strong foundation in product development, the Product Manager applies technical knowledge to guide products from concept through market introduction. Success in this role requires effective collaboration across cross-functional teams—including Engineering, Compliance, Finance, Supply Chain, Store Design/Construction, Client Services, Marketing, Sales, Product Support, and Quality Control—to deliver new, transitioned, and resourced products in alignment with the product roadmap and LOB financial goals. This is a hybrid role requiring onsite presence at the corporate office a minimum of 3 days per week. ### Responsibilities: **Product Development & Execution** - Lead end-to-end product development from concept through market launch, ensuring on-time, complete delivery - Develop and manage product timelines, maintaining clear ownership of cross-functional deliverables and critical milestones - Drive kickoff and stakeholder alignment meetings; ensure consistent communication and project updates across teams - Maintain deep understanding of the LOB product roadmap, priorities, and timing of development projects - Partner with Engineering and Quality to oversee sampling, testing, approvals, and product enhancements (cost, functionality, performance) - Contribute to assortment strategy and innovation in alignment with merchandising objectives and brand positioning - Serve as a product expert for the Fittings portfolio **Vendor & Cost Management** - Build and manage strong vendor relationships, both domestic and global - Lead sourcing activities, including identifying new vendors as needed - Own RFQ process, including cost negotiation, MOQ management, and cost optimization **Product Data & Launch Readiness** - Own accuracy and completeness of product data across systems (PLM, ERP, customer-facing platforms) - Define and manage product attributes, taxonomy, and supporting documentation - Ensure full launch readiness by coordinating assets, training materials, and commercialization requirements - Partner with Store Design & Construction on display and rollout execution **Market Insight & Performance Monitoring** - Monitor competitive landscape, pricing, and market trends - Track product launch performance and proactively identify risks and opportunities - Provide insights and recommendations to support roadmap and investment decisions **Cross-Functional Collaboration & Process Excellence** - Collaborate closely with Engineering, Compliance, Operations, Finance, Marketing, Sales, and Product Support teams - Support adoption and continuous improvement of product development tools, processes, and standards - Ensure all deliverables meet quality, compliance, and brand expectations ### Requirements: - Bachelor’s degree required - 5 plus years of experience in Product Development and/or Product Management, preferably within a technical or complex product category - Demonstrated experience managing end-to-end product development and cross-functional projects - Strong analytical mindset with the ability to translate data into actionable insights and recommendations - Proven ability to collaborate effectively and influence cross-functional stakeholders - Excellent organizational, project management, and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives in a fast-paced environment - Strong communication and presentation skills - Experience with PLM and product data systems preferred - Domestic and international sourcing experience preferred - Travel up to 20% as needed (domestic and international) - Experience in luxury or premium product environments is a plus