Director, Product Development (Finance)

Standard Textile has been inspiring care, comfort, and change in our communities since 1940. While our business is creating innovative textiles, it's our purpose that guides the solutions we offer and drives how we treat our customers, our associates, and the impact we make in our communities. We hold ourselves to a higher standard. A higher standard for why we exist, for how we create, and for what's next.

Standard Textile is seeking a visionary Director of Product Development to lead our strategic R&D new product development initiatives. This role is pivotal in driving innovation, managing cross-functional teams, and delivering market-driven solutions that align with our business goals.

You'll oversee a talented team of product developers, engineers, and project leaders, collaborating closely with Research, Marketing, Product Management, Global Sourcing, Manufacturing, and Quality Assurance. Your leadership will ensure that projects meet customer needs, deliver strong financial returns, and support long-term growth.

Key Responsibilities include:

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and grow the R&D product development team to achieve high performance.
• Guide teams through the full product development lifecycle-from concept and prototyping to plant trials and scale-up production.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Project & Portfolio Management

• Oversee planning and execution of multiple strategic R&D projects using a stage-gate process.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and meet quality and market expectations.
• Build and manage cross-functional project teams, securing alignment and support from key stakeholders.

Strategic Collaboration

• Partner with senior leadership, business units, and global teams to identify and prioritize product-led growth opportunities.
• Collaborate with Product Management and Marketing to ensure customer-centric development and effective go-to-market strategies.
• Provide regular updates to executive leadership on project status, risks, and outcomes.

Innovation & Market Insight

• Champion new technologies and methodologies to enhance product offerings.
• Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships and supplier relationships that expand capabilities and market reach.
• Support the development of product roadmaps by analyzing market trends, customer needs, and competitive dynamics.

Stakeholder Communication

• Serve as a key liaison between R&D and internal/external stakeholders.
• Ensure clear, consistent communication across all levels of the organization.

Qualifications include:

Experience

• Required: Minimum 5 years of experience managing product development in a B2B environment.
• Preferred: Leadership experience in a matrixed organization; background in textiles (fiber, yarn, fabric formation, wet processing, or product fabrication).

Education

• Required: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Math, or Business.
• Preferred: Master's or PhD in Engineering or MBA.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and team-building capabilities.
• Strategic thinker with excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills across all organizational levels.
• Customer-focused, results-driven, and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to travel up to 20%
• Experience with AI-enabled applications is a plus.

PM21

Proudly, Standard Textile has earned a title of US Best Managed Company for the fifth year running, an honor awarded by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal, celebrating the exceptional achievements of American private companies and their management teams.

Standard Textile is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.

Join us!