Product Development Associate Manager

About Away

We believe travel makes us better. Launched in 2016 with one perfectly designed carry-on, we now offer a range of luggage and travel essentials for every journey. Together we create, innovate, and embark on this journey as a community of travelers, helping to make travel more seamless for everyone.

Join The Crew

We are hiring a Product Development Associate Manager to join our Product Development team. This position reports to the Senior Manager, Product Development and takes Away further by supporting the end to end Product Development lifecycle process from initial design concept through to production handover, ultimately ensuring the development of Luggage products remain on time and up to brand standards.

What you’ll do as the Product Development Associate Manager

• You’ll manage all development, concept through commercialization for specific product category, maintain and track progress on Critical Path calendars for all products within that category

• You’ll serve as a key liaison with design from seasonal kick-off to final tech pack pass off to factories with Asia product development partners

• You’ll maintain internal costing tools & present cost engineering options for margin improvements

• You’ll manage inbound and outbound sample tracking, including receipt, tagging and sending references

• You’ll manage raw material sourcing & lab dip requests, tracking & passing to Design, managing approvals & comments and any timeline implications

• You’ll support Away Design & Merchandising teams with product knowledge, costing, and technical aspects of product category

• You’ll liaise with Production, Legal, Packaging and Customs teams throughout development to ensure smooth transition from development to PO placement and bulk production

• You’ll facilitate day-to-day communications with Asia product development partners, suppliers and manufacturing partners

• You’ll prepare and communicate agendas for cross functional team meetings, leading conversation and follow-ups/action items

• You’ll attend and participate in-person in the following cross-functional milestone meetings including but not limited to: Concept/seasonal kick-off, Proto sample reviews & approvals and others as needed

Who you are

• You have a minimum of 2 years of experience in the consumer goods category; knowledge of PDM/PLM systems is strongly preferred, but not required

• You’re an excellent written communicator and able to quickly grasp and synthesize complex concepts into actionable notes

• You possess a team-driven and “partner” attitude; you naturally build relationships with internal teams and external manufacturing partners

• You’re extremely organized and able to balance multiple projects with overlapping deadlines

• You’re comfortable working independently, but also knows when to ask for help

• You’re calm and solution-oriented when issues arise

• You’re creative and innovative; you love to build great new things that are fresh and unique while staying on brand

• Agile, and motivated by a fast-paced and ever changing environment

• Passionate about transforming travel for all (but that’s a given!)

Excited to join the team, but not sure you meet all of the qualifications? Please apply, we’d still love to hear from you.

Who We Are

• We’re travelers. Travel is about the journey - the transformative experiences and the growth each trip offers. All employees are encouraged to take time to get away through our variety of time away from work offerings. 

• We’re driven. The work we do matters and collectively drives impact. No matter the job title, everyone at Away is a meaningful contributor in unlocking our ever growing potential.

• We’re supportive. We value the entirety of your life's journey, not just the milestones. You'll find an environment that celebrates balance, understanding that your personal passions and commitments outside of work, are threads of the same fabric that makes you unique.

What We Offer

Our total rewards are inclusive of both compensation and benefits. What we offer within a salary range is dependent on a number of factors, including scope and qualifications for the role, skillset, and balancing internal equity relative to other Away employees. Salary and benefit offerings are reviewed during phone screenings to ensure alignment.

• Compensation: $83,000.00-88,000.00 annually

• This role is eligible to participate in Away’s Annual Company Performance Incentive Bonus Plan, the terms of which are determined at the discretion of the company

• Equity Grant: commensurate with level determined at the discretion of the company

• Benefits Overview:

  • Take care of yourself and your family through our health insurance offerings

  • Invest in your future by participating in our 401(k) (with a company match!)

  • Find balance through our many paid time off programs (vacation, wellbeing, holidays, summer Fridays, and compassion leave - just to name a few!)

  • Build your travel uniform through discount codes, product stipends, and giveaways

  • Give back through company-sponsored volunteer and charitable opportunities

How We Work

This is an office-based position that works from our Soho, NYC office four days a week. Our working hours are 9am-6pm et, but we embrace a common-sense approach to flexibility in the workplace. It’s about being present, engaged, and balancing work with real-life needs.

Our Commitment

As a company that values diversity, equity, and inclusion, Away seeks individuals of all backgrounds and experiences to apply for this opportunity. We’re creating an environment where everyone can thrive. Our customers are global and diverse, so we’re building a team that is too. Through initiatives like our Employee Resource Groups, anti-racism training, and bias prevention initiatives, we’re building the cultural foundation that gives people the emotional and physical space to bring their authentic selves to work.

EEOC Statement: 

Away is dedicated to hiring a diverse workplace that celebrates an inclusive culture and a sense of belonging. As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran status, genetic information or disability. 

Away is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [email protected].