Product Development Lead

ALOHAS is more than a fashion brand: it’s a responsible shopping experience and an opportunity to take part in the fight against overproduction in the fashion industry.

Working at ALOHAS means being part of the innovation and growth of a Spanish start-up with a young, creative, and proactive team, where communication flows and energy levels are high. It’s a demanding environment, but extremely rewarding, and we take pride in learning from one another and strive to make sustainability a way of life beyond the workplace.

We’re passionate about what we do, and that passion shines through in our work.

THE ROLE
Are you passionate about product development and eager to lead innovation in a fast-growing Footwear & Accessories brand? At ALOHAS, we are looking for a Product Development Lead to shape, drive, and optimize our product development strategy.

Reporting to the Chief Product Officer, you will not only oversee the end-to-end process from concept to final product, but also guide a small team and align cross-functional efforts with Design, Merchandising and Production to ensure all products deliver on ALOHAS’ creative vision and positioning.

YOUR CHALLENGE

Product Development & Execution:

• Lead product development from the prototype stage to final production, ensuring quality, feasibility, and adherence to timelines starting from tech-pack to final GTM samples.
• Validate new materials and processes before they are implemented in production to ensure long-term quality and durability.
• Collaborate closely with designers to optimize materials, finishes, and production techniques.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with factories, suppliers, and material vendors to optimize collaboration and ensure product excellence.
• Conduct thorough market research and competitor analysis to implement improvements in product innovation, sustainability and efficiency.
• Continuously seek opportunities to enhance design, fit, and production efficiency while maintaining brand aesthetics.

GTM Strategy:

• Proactively manage the product development calendar, ensuring alignment with key GTM milestones and deadline in collaboration with Merchandising.
• Analyze sales and return data to drive improvements and make data-informed recommendations.
  

Master Data & Product Lifecycle Management:

• Maintain and oversee all product data in our systems (PLM, ERP, POS), ensuring accuracy in product information.
• Act as the key point of contact for cross-functional teams, providing relevant product information and resolving inquiries from other departments (brand, channels & customer service)
• Ensure all necessary updates are properly documented to support transparency across teams and above all with our factories.

Leadership & Strategic Impact:

• Lead and upskill a small team of product developers, ensuring they gain structure, expertise, and autonomy.
• Define and oversee product development strategies in alignment with business goals, margins, timelines, and collection vision.
• Take ownership of critical decision-making regarding materials, costs, and production feasibility.
• Facilitate and lead cross-functional meetings with Design, Merchandising & Production teams to set priorities and resolve bottlenecks.
• Establish and monitor KPIs (time-to-market, quality, return rates, margins) and provide regular reporting to senior leadership.
• Continuously refine and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, quality, and sustainability.

YOU WILL ROCK AT THIS ROLE IF YOU HAVE...

• 7+ years of experience in footwear product development.
• Experience in footwear companies is a must-have and accessories and leather goods is a plus.
• Solid knowledge of materials, fit, comfort engineering and feasibility in footwear (shoes & sneakers).
• A deep understanding of material sourcing and production processes.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel) and experience with PLM and ERP systems.
• A solution-oriented mindset with the ability to work in fast-paced environments and tight deadlines.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize