The Product Development Manager is responsible for overseeing the full product development lifecycle, from customer-driven concept through to a production-ready tech pack. This position contributes to operational continuity and efficiency by managing development timelines, evaluating cost viability, sourcing materials, and ensuring regulatory compliance. The objective is to structure development processes, maintain aesthetic standards, and guarantee the technical accuracy and manufacturability of the products.
Key Responsibilities :
Own the full product development lifecycle.
Develop and maintain technical product documentation.
Manage development timelines and production readiness.
Evaluate cost, margin, and product viability.
Build and improve product development systems.
Act as the cross-functional product development lead.
Ensure product quality and technical accuracy.
About MINI TIPI :
Mélanie Bernard and Trisha Pitura founded MINI TIPI in 2016 to address the lack of authentic Indigenous designs in the textile industry. Their work has positioned them as leaders in the diverse and inspiring representation of Indigenous arts and cultures across Canada.
Joining MINI TIPI means becoming part of a passionate, creative, and collaborative team that values ambition, innovation, and respect. It’s also an opportunity to contribute to a fast-growing company that is proud of its community involvement and recognition across Canada.
Why join us:
At MINI TIPI, you’ll work in an inclusive environment that values work-life balance. Enjoy early Fridays at 2 pm, a 50% product discount.
Duties & Responsibilities
Tech Pack & Product Development
Create, own, and maintain tech packs, including construction details, and product specifications
Translate design intent and customer demand into production-ready products aligned with MINI TIPI’s aesthetic standards and commercial positioning
Contribute Identify gaps in the current product offer based on customer feedback, care inquiries, and market trends; propose new developments to fill them
Oversee sample quality control from prototype through final approval, including construction accuracy, fit, and workmanship
Timeline & Project Management
Build and maintain development calendars, milestone trackers, and workback schedules from sampling through delivery
Monitor development timelines across all active projects, proactively flag risks and communicate blockers or required decisions to management
Coordinate deliverables across departments to ensure all products are production-ready on time for seasonal, new, and limited launches
Cost Evaluation & Product Viability
Evaluate cost-per-unit at each stage of development to determine product viability against target margins; provide clear go/no-go recommendations
Recommend design modifications, construction methods, or material substitutions to improve manufacturability and cost efficiency without compromising quality
Materials Sourcing & Textile Expertise
Oversee the sourcing and selection of new materials (fabrics, trims, hardware) based on performance, durability, comfort, cost, and alignment with MINI TIPI’s sustainability commitments
Apply a strong understanding of textile construction, fibre properties, and production constraints to guide material selection and product development decisions
Track material lead times during development and sampling to ensure readiness for bulk ordering; monitor supplier delivery and quality performance
Stay current on textile innovations, technical materials, and emerging production methods relevant to MINI TIPI’s product range
Compliance, Labelling & Department Organization
Ensure all new product developments meet applicable regulatory, labelling, and packaging requirements for Canadian and U.S. markets
Own labelling and packaging development with appropriate teams; collaborate with marketing to ensure all product and compliance information is accurate before launch
Build, document, and continuously improve the processes, templates, and systems that structure the product development department
Support sustainability initiatives and vendor certification requirements in line with MINI TIPI’s environmental commitments
QUALIFICATIONS AND WORK EXPERIENCE
Mandatory
3–5+ years of experience in apparel or textile product development, technical design, or a related product-focused role
Solid understanding of textile construction, fabric properties, garment construction, and manufacturing constraints
Proven ability to create and own tech packs, and technical documentation
Experience with material sourcing, supplier communication, and costing at a commercial scale
Fluency in written and spoken French and English (bilingual)
Highly organized with strong project management, calendar management, and multi-project prioritization skills
Preferred
Experience with Adobe Illustrator or other design/PD tools
Background in woven or knit textile categories; experience with recycled fibre or sustainable materials is a strong asset
Experience working with domestic (Canadian) production facilities and local manufacturing partners
Qualities
Detail-oriented and solutions-focused — comfortable moving between big-picture product strategy and the smallest construction specification
Collaborative and adaptable — at ease working across design, production, marketing, and management in a fast-moving small-business environment
Passionate about quality, responsible manufacturing, and building systems that work at every scale
WORKING CONDITIONS and ADVANTAGES
Monday to Friday 40 hours per week
Work week ending at 2pm on Fridays
Additional paid holiday (Easter Monday)
50% discount on products for all personal purchases for employees
Monthly meetings with team building activity
Parking available at our Aylmer location
Rémunération : 26,00$ à 31,98$ par heure
Avantages :
- Réductions Tarifaires
- RVER
- Stationnement sur place
- Tenue Décontractée
Lieu du poste : Télétravail hybride à Gatineau, QC J9J 3K3
