Product Developer (Handbags) at bloom

Bloom is a full-service workplace design consultancy, proudly supporting Poppy & Peonies in their search for a Senior Merchant to join their dynamic team. As Talent Advisors, we serve as the bridge between our Bloom Partner and you throughout the recruitment process. At Bloom, we don’t rely on automated tools to sift through applications—every resume is carefully reviewed by a real person to ensure a fair and consistent interview process. If selected, you’ll join Poppy & Peonies directly as a valued member of their team. We’re excited to consider your application! Please note that applications will be accepted throughout the holiday season. Thank you for your patience and interest in this opportunity! Hi, I’m Natalie Dusome, Founder and CEO of Poppy & Peonies. At Poppy & Peonies, we’re a fun and energetic brand that believes style and function should always go hand-in-hand. We’re passionate about creating practical pieces that make life a little easier and literally lighten the load. Building Poppy & Peonies has been an incredible adventure. It all started when my daughter Poppy was born, and I found that my accessories no longer fit my new life as a mom. I needed bags with pockets and organization that looked cool but also had functionality. When I couldn’t find them, I decided to create them myself. And so, in 2015, Poppy & Peonies was born. We’ve come a long way since then—from filling orders in my basement to appearing on Dragons’ Den, and now, expanding into new product categories and collaborating with exciting influencers and brands. It hasn’t always been smooth sailing, but thanks to our incredible community, we’ve never felt more loved and supported! We believe in our responsibility to care for the environment and are passionate about preserving the health and welfare of our planet and the animals that live on it. That’s why all of our bags are made from high-quality vegan leather, and our entire product line is vegan, cruelty-free, and PETA-approved. We ship our products plastic-free and use a combination of recycled, compostable, and biodegradable materials to mitigate shipping waste. We are constantly looking for new ways to make our products and supply chain more sustainable, reducing our carbon footprint. The Opportunity As a Product Developer (Handbags), you’ll report to the Director, Sourcing & Production and play a critical role in bringing innovative designs to life. This role is focused ontechnical product development rather than design, translating concepts into production-ready handbags through strong execution, attention to detail, and close collaboration with factories and cross-functional teams. This role is ideal for someone with deep knowledge of handbag construction, materials, and development who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. Are you passionate about turning concepts into high-quality, functional product? Do you have strong technical expertise in handbag development and construction? Do you enjoy owning the development process from concept to production? If you answered yes, yes, and yes—keep on reading!  More About the Role Product Development & Technical Execution • Own development and maintenance of detailed tech packs, including BOMs • Translate design concepts into production-ready handbags and accessories • Evaluate and approve multiple factory counter samples to ensure alignment with approved designs and existing styles • Partner with factories on sampling, pattern development, and construction refinement • Create and maintain a development and seasonal tracker for all samples and materials • Collaborate closely with design on core collections, limited drops, and specialty projects • Recommend construction improvements (stitching, reinforcement, hardware placement, etc.) Sampling, Fit & Functionality Optimization • Organize and manage internal wear testing for new developments; analyze and action feedback • Provide clear, actionable feedback to factory partners to refine design and usability • Manage sample requests and coordinate shipping for internal and executive approvals (including CEO reviews) • Participate in sample reviews with Design team to assess structure, durability, functionality, and finishings Timeline & Production Readiness • Manage development timelines from concept through production readiness • Ensure all tech packs, BOMs, strike-offs, and approvals are finalized prior to PO pass-off • Partner cross-functionally to align on launch calendars and key milestones • Coordinate pre-production and final sample approvals • Allocate materials and trims to factories across all sampling stages Materials, Sourcing & Costing • Launch seasonal material sourcing with vendors and manage material bookings for sample and production needs • Manage all vendor-sourced materials, trims, and components to ensure approval readiness • Partner with production and sourcing teams on MOQ restrictions, lead times, and surcharges • Manage and negotiate product costing • Support material testing for durability, quality, and performance Sustainability & Compliance • Support sourcing of sustainable and ethical materials aligned with brand standards • Contribute to ongoing sustainability initiatives and vendor accountability Cross-Functional & Vendor Collaboration • Act as the primary liaison between design, production, sourcing, and manufacturing partners • Ensure clear communication on expectations, revisions, timelines, and approvals • Partner with production on material testing and quality control • Support successful product launches through strong project management and alignment across teams What You Bring to the Role • Strong understanding of handbag construction, materials, and manufacturing processes • Hands-on experience creating and managing tech packs and working directly with factories • Knowledge of materials such as vegan leather, textiles, linings, and hardware components • Experience managing sampling, costing, and vendor relationships • Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple timelines, priorities, and stakeholders • Strong communication skills with experience leading vendor conversations and negotiations • Passion for quality, craftsmanship, and thoughtful product design • A collaborative mindset and ability to work cross-functionally • Interest in sustainability and working with a growing, female-founded brand Don't sweat it if you don't have everything listed above. We believe in growth and curiosity. If you have some of these qualities and are excited about this opportunity, then we want to hear from you! Location We’re a fully remote team spread across North America, which means you can work from wherever you do your best thinking, problem-solving, and customer-obsessing. While this role is fully remote, there may be opportunities for domestic or international travel for team get-togethers, special events, and the occasional chance to connect in person. Interview Process • Video screen with Jeannine Cafaro, HR Advisor from Bloom • Video interview with Molly LaDuke-Wheatly, Director, Sourcing and Production & Erica Peres, HR Advisor • Reference checks • Offer Our Commitment to you. Like Bloom, Poppy & Peonies is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equitable employment practices and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or veteran status. We’re looking for motivated, compassionate people who are excited to contribute, grow with the team, and support the values that Poppy & Peonies believes in. Poppy & Peonies is committed to developing an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment process and work environment. Please inform us if you require any accommodation, and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs. Requests for any accessibility-related assistance can be made to [Upgrade to PRO to see contact]. We believe transparency matters, especially as technology evolves. At Bloom, we may leverage AI as a supportive tool when developing role descriptions, interview questions, take home assignments, and interview guides, where appropriate, with the goal of improving clarity, consistency, and accessibility for candidates. However, we do not use AI to source, assess, screen, or interview candidates. Every application is reviewed by a human, every interview is conducted by a human, and all hiring decisions are made by people, not automated systems. Human judgment, care, and accountability are central to how we hire. About Bloom Bloom is a full-service workplace design consultancy representing Poppy & Peonies at they build their team. As Talent Advisors, we will be the liaison between our Bloom Partner and yourself during this recruitment process. We do not use fancy tech to search through resumes at Bloom; every resume is reviewed by a human to ensure that we attain a consistent and equitable interview process. You will directly join our client’s team if you are selected as the successful candidate. We look forward to seeing your application!