Product Development Lead – Consumer Products

Product Development Lead – Consumer Products

Customer Experience Full-Time Position

Reporting to the Business Partner Relationship Manager, this role supports the product development lifecycle, including concept development, vendor coordination, sampling, design direction, cost and timeline management. This role leads the product development process for merchandise, from concept through production, ensuring alignment with brand vision, quality standards, and commercial goals. It serves as the primary liaison between Merchandising and external vendors to manage timelines, sampling, approvals, and production execution. The role also oversees critical development tools and processes, including line sheets, visual plans, and merchandising toolkits.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end product development process for merchandise collections across all categories;
• Communicate with vendors, sampling timelines, and product approvals to ensure on-time delivery;
• Lead design direction with vendors, providing clear creative guidance and feedback to ensure product development aligns with brand vision, quality standards, and commercial objectives;
• Track development pipeline, calendars, costs, and production milestones to ensure alignment with launch schedules;
• Partner with Merchandising, Show Teams and Creative/Brand teams to translate concepts into viable, production-ready products;
• Ensure all products meet quality, design, and brand standards prior to production approval;
• Identify and resolve development issues, including potential production delays, quality concerns, and cost challenges;
• Maintain accurate product development documentation, including specs, samples, pricing, and vendor records;
• Support seasonal launches, special projects, and new store/show rollouts;
• Continuously improve product development processes to increase efficiency, speed, and quality outcomes;
• Maintain all merchandising toolkits in alignment with brand and merchandise standards, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and readiness for execution across all locations and launches;
• Update and maintain line sheets and visual line plans for each market, ensuring accurate product assortments, clear merchandising direction, and alignment with regional strategy and brand standards;
• Coordinate internal art requests, ensuring timely submission, clear creative brief, and alignment with brand and merchandising standards;
• Manage the end-to-end sample process, including tracking, organization, review, and approval to ensure products meet design, quality, and brand standards prior to production;
• Support new show openings and product launches by coordinating merchandise readiness, ensuring timely delivery, and aligning product assortments with launch requirements;
• Complete all other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Associates degree in Business, Merchandising, Design, Supply Chain Management, or a related field, or on the job/work equivalent experience;
• At least 3 years of experience in traditional and/or non-traditional retail outlets, preferably in the entertainment industry;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing market conditions;
• Proven time management skills and ability to prioritize tasks effectively;
• Knowledge of ethical sourcing and sustainable practices is a plus;
• Strong attention to detail and robust organizational skills;
• Advanced knowledge of all Microsoft Office and Adobe Products is an asset;
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken.

Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate against applicants or employees because of their race, creed, color, age, religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military status, national origin or ancestry.