Director of Product

Role OverviewThe Director of Product at SYNC Performance is a senior role responsible for owning the entire product lifecycle end-to-end. This role is a hands-on position. The Director of Product is expected to operate as a full Product Developer, guiding products from initial concept and design through development, factory execution, production, delivery, and post-launch evaluation.This role requires a deep understanding of technical apparel and/or equipment development, materials, fit, construction, costing, and manufacturing workflows. The Director of Product will work directly with factories, vendors, and internal partners to ensure that every product meets SYNC’s performance standards, cost targets, and delivery timelines.The Director of Product reports directly to the Leadership team to ensure that product decisions support business goals, operational realities, and long-term brand strategy.Core ResponsibilitiesProduct Strategy & Line Planning Own seasonal and long-range product line plans, ensuring alignment with brand vision, customer needs, and financial targetsDefine product architecture, SKU rationalization, and roadmap prioritiesEstablish and maintain clear product briefs outlining function, target consumer, pricing, margin targets, and delivery timelinesBalance innovation with operational feasibility and cost disciplineTravel internationally to vendors/factories as neededProduct Design & InceptionImplement leadership’s product strategy through concept development, including materials, silhouettes, features, and use-case definitionCollaborate on or directly execute technical design inputs such as construction details, trims, and functional requirementsOversee prototype intent and ensure early concepts translate cleanly into buildable productsEvaluate competitive products and emerging technologies to inform design directionProduct Development & ExecutionOwn the full development process from first prototype through production approvalWork directly with factories on patterning, fit, materials, construction methods, and revisionsManage sample reviews, testing, feedback loops, and iteration timelinesApprove final specifications, BOMs, and cost sheets prior to productionEnsure products meet performance, durability, and quality standards before production sign-offFactory & Vendor ManagementAct as the primary product-side point of contact with manufacturing partnersCollaborate with factories to solve construction, costing, and timeline challengesAlign development decisions with factory capabilities and capacitySupport sourcing decisions related to materials, trims, and production locationsCross-Functional CollaborationWork closely with Operations to align development timelines with purchasing, logistics, and inventory planningPartner with Marketing and Sales to ensure product stories, features, and timing are clearly communicatedSupport go-to-market readiness through accurate product information and delivery forecastingContribute to OKRs and leadership reporting related to product progress and executionProcess & Continuous ImprovementBuild and refine product development systems, workflows, and documentationEstablish clear milestone tracking from concept through deliveryIdentify opportunities to improve speed, quality, cost efficiency, and cross-team executionDocument decisions, learnings, and standards to create repeatable best practicesSkills & QualificationsProven experience leading full end-to-end product development, ideally in performance apparel, outdoor, or technical consumer goodsStrong technical knowledge of materials, construction, fit, and manufacturing processesDemonstrated ability to work directly with factories and vendorsHigh attention to detail paired with strong prioritization and decision-making skillsAbility to balance creative vision with operational and financial constraintsStrong written and verbal communication skillsComfort operating in evolving environments where processes are continuously refinedProficiency with product development tools, spreadsheets, and collaborative softwarePerformance ExpectationsProducts are delivered on schedule, within cost targets, and to defined performance standardsDevelopment timelines are clearly communicated and reliably metFactory relationships are productive, solutions-oriented, and accountableProduct decisions support broader company OKRs and seasonal objectivesSystems and processes improve clarity, efficiency, and execution quality over timeEmployment DetailsThis is a full-time role. Compensation, benefits, and start date will be determined based on experience and alignment with SYNC Performance’s long-term needs.