Director of Product Development

About Nomadix

At Nomadix, we make the Only Towel You Need—along with a growing line of sustainably made gear designed for travelers, surfers, yogis, and adventurers. From towels to blankets, ponchos, bags, and accessories, our mission is to inspire people to Own Less. Do More.

As we expand into new product categories, we're seeking an experienced product leader who thrives in a hands-on, collaborative environment and can build the structure needed to scale our development operations.

The Role

We’re hiring a Director of Product Development to lead and evolve our entire physical product development ecosystem. This role is based at our San Clemente HQ, where you’ll work closely with our founders, design team, and operations team in real time.

You will oversee product timelines, factory coordination, material sourcing, and product quality across a growing range of categories—from towels to technical bags and outdoor accessories. This is a high-impact leadership role at the core of our brand’s innovation engine.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Planning

• Translate the company's strategic vision into concrete product plans, with milestones, timelines, and deliverables
• Partner with the CPO and design team to prioritize concepts based on commercial and operational goals
• Run day-to-day line development of existing categories, including seasonal development, reviews, tech packs, and sampling
• Own and manage the seasonal product development calendar and long-range roadmap
• Drive margin targets and assess development feasibility

Product Development Execution

• Oversee R&D of new products based on defined market position, including materials, tech packs, prototyping, and reviews
• Manage new and seasonal product development, sample timelines, testing protocols, and pre-production validation
• Lead cost engineering without compromising design intent based on margin targets

Vendor & Materials Management

• Source and vet global suppliers for fabrics, trims, and hardware
• Build factory relationships that balance quality, agility, cost, and sustainability

Cross-Functional Integration

• Act as the bridge between suppliers, designers, logistics, sales, and sustainability to ensure product readiness and quality
• Manage product feedback loops for customers, reps, and internal stakeholders to help direct new product development and seasonal line development
• Collaborate with marketing and creative for launch planning and storytelling
• Organize and lead product review and approval meetings

Team & Process Leadership

• Hire and manage product developers and freelancers, as needed
• Build scalable systems and documentation to support future category growth
• Define and implement new product development processes, from concept to launch
• Audit and standardize product documentation standards (tech packs, spec sheets, test requirements, BOM, implement PLM or equivalent tools)
• Establish scalable review cadences (new product reviews, line reviews, milestone meetings)

Requirements

• Must be based in, or willing to relocate to, the San Clemente, CA area
• 10+ years of experience in product development, sourcing, or technical design for outdoor gear, soft goods, or accessories
• Deep knowledge of trims, textiles, hardware, and construction techniques
• Proven experience managing international suppliers and ensuring timely product delivery
• Proficient in BOMs, tech packs, and PLM systems
• Strong communicator with a history of cross-functional collaboration in a fast-paced environment
• Must be exceptionally organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple projects and timelines simultaneously

Extra Awesome If

• You have a love for the outdoors and travel
• Familiarity with sustainability certifications and responsible manufacturing practices

Benefits

• Health coverage
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and holidays
• Generous employee gear discount
• Subsidized gym membership via Wellhub
• A fast-paced, mission-driven team culture