The Product Operations Director ensures adherence to product development go-to-market (GTM) milestones and organizational goals. This role translates strategy into actionable projects, manages cross-functional execution, and oversees product data integrity and systems. Responsibilities include managing the product development calendar, tracking performance, coordinating team capacity, and supporting execution of category planning strategies across core, NPIs, and exclusives.

The Director leads project management, product readiness, pricing communication, and data governance—including SKU hierarchy, item creation, and ongoing data integrity. This role will initially manage a Product Data Manager, with potential to expand the team as the function grows.

Essential Functions

• Product Development Calendar: Own the development and management of the product development calendar, ensuring visibility of key milestones, timelines, budgets, and resource needs to enable successful execution.
• Project Management: Lead end-to-end project management across the product lifecycle—planning, tracking, scheduling, coordinating resources, and identifying risks.
• Strategic Execution Support: Translate product and category strategies into operational plans across core, NPI, and exclusive products, ensuring readiness and alignment across teams.
• Performance Insights: Monitor and report on product development performance metrics; proactively identify risks and opportunities and recommend actionable responses.
• Resource Capacity Management: Evaluate and communicate Product Team capacity to inform decision-making and prioritize new or evolving product requests.
• R&D Incubator Management: Oversee incubator-stage product tracking and readiness to ensure timely integration into future GTM cycles.
• Pricing Communication: Maintain and communicate accurate and timely price lists in collaboration with Category Planning and Finance.
• Product Data Governance: Partner with Product teams to define and maintain product hierarchy and attributes (e.g., SKU structure, cost, pricing), and process and governance framework to ensure ongoing data integrity.
• Item Setup and Data Integrity: Oversee item creation, manage system accuracy, and lead continuous data integrity efforts to support planning and execution.
• Team Leadership: Manage and mentor a Product Data Manager, with the opportunity to expand the team as the function scales.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Build strong working relationships with Product, Category Planning, Supply Chain, Finance, and Marketing teams to ensure alignment, clarity, and execution across the organization.
• Process Improvement: Continuously assess and improve operational processes, tools, and reporting to drive efficiency, scalability, and executional excellence.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Required Skills/Abilities

• Proven expertise in project and program management, with the ability to drive cross-functional execution and manage multiple complex initiatives.
• Strong analytical skills with a data-driven mindset; ability to turn metrics into operational insights and action.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and align stakeholders across functions and levels.
• Deep understanding of product lifecycle management, from concept through commercialization.
• Highly organized, with strong attention to detail and follow-through.
• Proficiency in project management and reporting tools
• Experience with ERP and PIM systems and strong data governance practices.
• Ability to lead and develop team members in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations, Product Management, or a related field (or equivalent work experience).
• 10+ years of experience in product operations, program management, or product development roles.
• Demonstrated success building or scaling a product operations or data governance function.
• Experience in consumer goods, musical instruments, or lifestyle brands preferred.
• Familiarity with multi-channel (B2B and DTC) product environments a plus.

Essential Knowledge

• In-depth knowledge of product development processes, GTM workflows, and cross-functional operations.
• Working knowledge of data structure, hierarchy management, SKU governance, and pricing systems.
• Ability to develop and implement scalable tools, processes, and operating models that support organizational growth.

Personal Qualities

• Strategic thinker with strong execution orientation.
• Highly collaborative and team-oriented; comfortable leading in a matrixed environment.
• Proactive and adaptable; thrives in fast-paced, dynamic settings.
• Committed to operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Travel Requirements

• This position is mostly office based, but may involve irregular travel

Physical Demands

• Typical office environment
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds