Rhone
Join to apply for the
VP, Product Development
role at
Rhone
About the Company:
Rhone is performance‑driven apparel made by and for those in the pursuit of progress. Founded in 2014 by brothers Nate and Ben Checketts, we exist to inspire, equip, and support individuals in their pursuit of progress—both physically and mentally. More than just apparel, Rhone is a mindset, championing the power of being a little better every day. With a relentless focus on performance, innovation, and style, our products are engineered to move with you—wherever the pursuit takes you. By the end of 2025, Rhone will operate 22 retail stores across the U.S., each serving as a hub for community, connection, and the Forever Forward mindset.
About the role The Vice President, Product Development will work closely with the Chief Product Officer, Design, Merchandising, Marketing, and Supply Chain to lead the end‑to‑end development of Men’s and Women’s performance apparel. This leader is responsible for ensuring that all products—from early concept through commercialization—meet Rhone’s standards for quality, fit, performance, and cost. They will partner cross‑functionally to deliver product that reflects the needs of our customer and the realities of the marketplace, ensuring each style is executed with accuracy, consistency, and efficiency.
Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Product Development Vision
Lead the product development and materials organization across categories, ensuring alignment with brand vision, performance standards, and global growth plans
Develop the long‑range product development and materials strategy informed by innovation, marketplace analytics, consumer insights, and sustainability initiatives
Define development frameworks that balance creativity, technical performance, cost, quality, and speed‑to‑market
Product Development & Commercialization
Oversee end‑to‑end development from proto through adoption, costing, fit, approvals, commercialization, and production handoff
Partner with Merchandising and Design to ensure clear product value propositions, SKU optimisation, margin integrity, and successful category adoption
Lead technical milestone meetings—including proto reviews, fit sessions, approval checkpoints, and cross‑functional readiness reviews
Uphold design integrity, fit consistency, performance attributes, and brand standards across all product lines
Materials Strategy & Innovation
Own fabric and material strategy to development, including research, innovation, sourcing, testing, performance validation, and compliance
Develop breakthrough materials and performance technologies that differentiate the brand and elevate product quality; lead mill and supplier partnerships to drive innovation, exclusives, cost efficiencies, and sustainability to build future franchises
Advance sustainability goals through preferred fibres, responsible materials, reduced‑impact finishes, circularity initiatives, and supply‑chain traceability
Costing, Margin Management & Operational Excellence
Own the development costing process, ensuring IMU, AUC, and profitability targets are achieved across categories
Drive calendar discipline and optimise workflows, adoption rates, proto efficiency, and speed‑to‑market
Partner with Technology to modernise systems including PLM, 3D prototyping, AI sampling, digital material libraries, and development automation
Build scalable processes that support brand growth across DTC, wholesale, and retail channels
Cross‑Functional Leadership
Work closely with Supply Chain, Technical Design, Production, Planning, Merchandising, Quality, and Marketing to ensure successful development and commercialization
Communicate development milestones, material needs, and sample expectations clearly and consistently to internal teams and suppliers
Strengthen operational alignment across the go‑to‑market calendar
Team Leadership & Organizational Development
Build, mentor, and inspire a high‑performing team across materials, development, and technical functions
Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement
Qualifications
15+ years of product development, materials, or technical leadership experience—ideally in performance apparel, athleisure, or activewear
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced coursework or continuing education preferred
Deep expertise in fabrics, fibres, trims, materials testing, sourcing, development, and commercialization
Strong understanding of performance materials, functional construction, costing, and supply‑chain dependencies
Proven experience leading global, cross‑functional teams and managing varied vendor networks
Extensive experience with overseas suppliers, including strong negotiation skills and deep manufacturing knowledge
Demonstrated success improving speed‑to‑market, calendar management, and product lifecycle efficiency
Experience modernising development capabilities (PLM, 3D tools, digital sampling, AI‑driven technologies)
Proven ability to partner cross‑functionally and influence at the executive level
Strong interpersonal, communication, and people‑leadership skills
Highly organised with excellent attention to detail, time management, and decision‑making skills
Domestic and international travel required
Full Time – 5 days a week in office
What you’ll get
Competitive Compensation & Bonus Plan.
Access to healthcare including medical, dental, vision, and other ancillary benefits.
10 Company Holidays Annually.
Discretionary Time Off Policy.
Advancement Opportunities.
Discount on clothing plus semi‑annual gift card allotment.
Other details:
Job Type: Full Time
Reports to: Chief Product Officer
Location: Onsite – Based in Stamford, CT
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Rhone by 2x
Get notified about new Vice President of Product Development jobs in
Stamford, CT .
#J-18808-Ljbffr
VP, Product Development
role at
Rhone
About the Company:
Rhone is performance‑driven apparel made by and for those in the pursuit of progress. Founded in 2014 by brothers Nate and Ben Checketts, we exist to inspire, equip, and support individuals in their pursuit of progress—both physically and mentally. More than just apparel, Rhone is a mindset, championing the power of being a little better every day. With a relentless focus on performance, innovation, and style, our products are engineered to move with you—wherever the pursuit takes you. By the end of 2025, Rhone will operate 22 retail stores across the U.S., each serving as a hub for community, connection, and the Forever Forward mindset.
About the role The Vice President, Product Development will work closely with the Chief Product Officer, Design, Merchandising, Marketing, and Supply Chain to lead the end‑to‑end development of Men’s and Women’s performance apparel. This leader is responsible for ensuring that all products—from early concept through commercialization—meet Rhone’s standards for quality, fit, performance, and cost. They will partner cross‑functionally to deliver product that reflects the needs of our customer and the realities of the marketplace, ensuring each style is executed with accuracy, consistency, and efficiency.
Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Product Development Vision
Lead the product development and materials organization across categories, ensuring alignment with brand vision, performance standards, and global growth plans
Develop the long‑range product development and materials strategy informed by innovation, marketplace analytics, consumer insights, and sustainability initiatives
Define development frameworks that balance creativity, technical performance, cost, quality, and speed‑to‑market
Product Development & Commercialization
Oversee end‑to‑end development from proto through adoption, costing, fit, approvals, commercialization, and production handoff
Partner with Merchandising and Design to ensure clear product value propositions, SKU optimisation, margin integrity, and successful category adoption
Lead technical milestone meetings—including proto reviews, fit sessions, approval checkpoints, and cross‑functional readiness reviews
Uphold design integrity, fit consistency, performance attributes, and brand standards across all product lines
Materials Strategy & Innovation
Own fabric and material strategy to development, including research, innovation, sourcing, testing, performance validation, and compliance
Develop breakthrough materials and performance technologies that differentiate the brand and elevate product quality; lead mill and supplier partnerships to drive innovation, exclusives, cost efficiencies, and sustainability to build future franchises
Advance sustainability goals through preferred fibres, responsible materials, reduced‑impact finishes, circularity initiatives, and supply‑chain traceability
Costing, Margin Management & Operational Excellence
Own the development costing process, ensuring IMU, AUC, and profitability targets are achieved across categories
Drive calendar discipline and optimise workflows, adoption rates, proto efficiency, and speed‑to‑market
Partner with Technology to modernise systems including PLM, 3D prototyping, AI sampling, digital material libraries, and development automation
Build scalable processes that support brand growth across DTC, wholesale, and retail channels
Cross‑Functional Leadership
Work closely with Supply Chain, Technical Design, Production, Planning, Merchandising, Quality, and Marketing to ensure successful development and commercialization
Communicate development milestones, material needs, and sample expectations clearly and consistently to internal teams and suppliers
Strengthen operational alignment across the go‑to‑market calendar
Team Leadership & Organizational Development
Build, mentor, and inspire a high‑performing team across materials, development, and technical functions
Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement
Qualifications
15+ years of product development, materials, or technical leadership experience—ideally in performance apparel, athleisure, or activewear
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced coursework or continuing education preferred
Deep expertise in fabrics, fibres, trims, materials testing, sourcing, development, and commercialization
Strong understanding of performance materials, functional construction, costing, and supply‑chain dependencies
Proven experience leading global, cross‑functional teams and managing varied vendor networks
Extensive experience with overseas suppliers, including strong negotiation skills and deep manufacturing knowledge
Demonstrated success improving speed‑to‑market, calendar management, and product lifecycle efficiency
Experience modernising development capabilities (PLM, 3D tools, digital sampling, AI‑driven technologies)
Proven ability to partner cross‑functionally and influence at the executive level
Strong interpersonal, communication, and people‑leadership skills
Highly organised with excellent attention to detail, time management, and decision‑making skills
Domestic and international travel required
Full Time – 5 days a week in office
What you’ll get
Competitive Compensation & Bonus Plan.
Access to healthcare including medical, dental, vision, and other ancillary benefits.
10 Company Holidays Annually.
Discretionary Time Off Policy.
Advancement Opportunities.
Discount on clothing plus semi‑annual gift card allotment.
Other details:
Job Type: Full Time
Reports to: Chief Product Officer
Location: Onsite – Based in Stamford, CT
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Rhone by 2x
Get notified about new Vice President of Product Development jobs in
Stamford, CT .
#J-18808-Ljbffr