OPT Product Development Manager Jobs
Product Development Manager jobs on OPT require employers who can sponsor H-1B visa or offer cap-exempt roles, since your work authorization window is typically 12 months, or up to 36 months on STEM OPT. These roles sit at the intersection of engineering, design, and business strategy, making your cross-functional experience a genuine asset.
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Get Access To All JobsPosition Summary
The Product Development Assistant supports the development and management of the PLANTS & PRESERVED assortment, working collaboratively with the Sr. Director of Product Development to manage the product life cycle from inspiration and ideation through commercialization, photography, and launch. The position owns day-to-day execution across line list management, product development, vendor and sample coordination, hard goods and packaging, gross margin, creative turnover, and Live Date List readiness. This position combines product development coordination and hands-on product management, requiring regular interaction with live plants, preserved products, hard goods, packaging and physical samples throughout the development and commercialization process.
This position reports to the Sr. Director of Product Development and partners cross-functionally with Merchandising, Planning, Procurement, Vendor Relations, Quality Assurance, Creative, Photography and Legal to bring customer-focused products to market on time and with accurate product information.
The Product Development Assistant in this position is responsible for:
- Managing the line list for new seasonal and core development, ensuring assortment updates and documentation are accurate and current
- Coordinating key product development milestones and timelines, identifying dependencies, risks, and follow-up needs
- Managing component, samples, material, product specification, and packaging information throughout development
- Supporting development of hard goods including planters, plush, preserved roses, wreaths, centerpieces, add-ons, and other innovative products
- Partnering with vendors to obtain samples, coordinate revisions, support box fit and complete ship sample approvals
- Preparing and maintaining gross margin calculations for core and seasonal products
- Coordinating photography samples and creative/copy turnover with accurate product features and attributes
- Ensuring commercialized products are ready to launch according to the Live Date List, including dates, retails, names, and legal/trademark review
- Maintaining accurate product data and images across internal assortment systems and documents
- Partnering with Procurement and Vendor Relations on commercialization, packaging, QA and CSI-related issues and resolution
- Managing sample/design room organization, labeling, inventory and readiness for meetings and development work
The person in this position will perform the following tasks:
- Manage and update the line list and related assortment documentation for seasonal and core development
- Coordinate samples for product development meetings, test shipping, photography, box fit and vendor review; track approvals and returned samples
- Maintain product, component and packaging specifications and supporting documentation
- Gather market, competitor and trend data to support assortment and product development decisions
- Review product data, images, pricing, names, and dates for accuracy prior to launch and cross-check website information
- Attend cross-functional meetings, commercialization meetings and product development events and communicate actions and follow-up
- Prepare and maintain gross margin calculations and supporting files
- Assist with product presentations, assortment turnovers, and preparation of materials for internal reviews
- Prepare creative briefs and care-card information for products requiring customer education or product-specific instructions
- Prepare photography and creative turnover materials, including product features, attributes, colors, descriptions, functionality, and occasion
- Work with the Sr. Director of Product Development to support product design, sample creation, and development revisions
- Provide recommendations for process and system improvements based on daily interactions with internal systems and cross-functional partners
A successful Product Development Assistant will demonstrate the following:
- Strong ownership, follow-through and accountability for product development deliverables and deadlines
- Excellent critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and detailed product information in a fast-paced environment
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret product, cost, pricing, and gross margin information
- Exceptional organization, accuracy, writing, proofreading, and data management skills
- Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across functions and with external vendors
- Ability to absorb information quickly, work independently and confidently follow through with limited direction
- Self-starter with a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach and a strong customer and product focus
The expected hourly pay range for this position is $25.00 to $28.00 per hour. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, skills, internal equity, and other factors permitted by law.
To support our commitment to being an employer of choice, we offer comprehensive and competitive health, wellness, and additional benefits to eligible full-time team members. Benefit eligibility may vary based on location, average hours worked, and length of service.
Benefits may include:
- Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance for the associate and eligible dependents
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- 401(k) retirement savings program
- Mental health resources and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Paid vacation time (accrued based on hours worked and tenure)
- Paid company holidays
- Employee discount across our family of brands
- Potential eligibility for annual merit-based compensation increases, where applicable
Exact benefit terms, conditions, and eligibility requirements are governed by official plan documents and applicable law. The Company reserves the right to modify, amend, or terminate benefit plans and programs at any time.
Requirements
- Experience in décor, gift, floral, plants, home or related consumer product categories is a plus
- Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, merchandising, product development, or a related field
- Minimum 2 years of experience in product development, merchandising, product management, or a related role
- Proficiency in MS Office applications
- Above-average knowledge of MS Excel
- Strong data entry, documentation, and proofreading skills
- Ability to analyze numerical data, pricing and gross margin calculations and ensure accuracy
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Strong organizational and project management skills
- Knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud applications and/or PLM systems is preferred, but not required
Position Summary
The Product Development Assistant supports the development and management of the PLANTS & PRESERVED assortment, working collaboratively with the Sr. Director of Product Development to manage the product life cycle from inspiration and ideation through commercialization, photography, and launch. The position owns day-to-day execution across line list management, product development, vendor and sample coordination, hard goods and packaging, gross margin, creative turnover, and Live Date List readiness. This position combines product development coordination and hands-on product management, requiring regular interaction with live plants, preserved products, hard goods, packaging and physical samples throughout the development and commercialization process.
This position reports to the Sr. Director of Product Development and partners cross-functionally with Merchandising, Planning, Procurement, Vendor Relations, Quality Assurance, Creative, Photography and Legal to bring customer-focused products to market on time and with accurate product information.
The Product Development Assistant in this position is responsible for:
- Managing the line list for new seasonal and core development, ensuring assortment updates and documentation are accurate and current
- Coordinating key product development milestones and timelines, identifying dependencies, risks, and follow-up needs
- Managing component, samples, material, product specification, and packaging information throughout development
- Supporting development of hard goods including planters, plush, preserved roses, wreaths, centerpieces, add-ons, and other innovative products
- Partnering with vendors to obtain samples, coordinate revisions, support box fit and complete ship sample approvals
- Preparing and maintaining gross margin calculations for core and seasonal products
- Coordinating photography samples and creative/copy turnover with accurate product features and attributes
- Ensuring commercialized products are ready to launch according to the Live Date List, including dates, retails, names, and legal/trademark review
- Maintaining accurate product data and images across internal assortment systems and documents
- Partnering with Procurement and Vendor Relations on commercialization, packaging, QA and CSI-related issues and resolution
- Managing sample/design room organization, labeling, inventory and readiness for meetings and development work
The person in this position will perform the following tasks:
- Manage and update the line list and related assortment documentation for seasonal and core development
- Coordinate samples for product development meetings, test shipping, photography, box fit and vendor review; track approvals and returned samples
- Maintain product, component and packaging specifications and supporting documentation
- Gather market, competitor and trend data to support assortment and product development decisions
- Review product data, images, pricing, names, and dates for accuracy prior to launch and cross-check website information
- Attend cross-functional meetings, commercialization meetings and product development events and communicate actions and follow-up
- Prepare and maintain gross margin calculations and supporting files
- Assist with product presentations, assortment turnovers, and preparation of materials for internal reviews
- Prepare creative briefs and care-card information for products requiring customer education or product-specific instructions
- Prepare photography and creative turnover materials, including product features, attributes, colors, descriptions, functionality, and occasion
- Work with the Sr. Director of Product Development to support product design, sample creation, and development revisions
- Provide recommendations for process and system improvements based on daily interactions with internal systems and cross-functional partners
A successful Product Development Assistant will demonstrate the following:
- Strong ownership, follow-through and accountability for product development deliverables and deadlines
- Excellent critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and detailed product information in a fast-paced environment
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret product, cost, pricing, and gross margin information
- Exceptional organization, accuracy, writing, proofreading, and data management skills
- Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across functions and with external vendors
- Ability to absorb information quickly, work independently and confidently follow through with limited direction
- Self-starter with a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach and a strong customer and product focus
The expected hourly pay range for this position is $25.00 to $28.00 per hour. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, skills, internal equity, and other factors permitted by law.
To support our commitment to being an employer of choice, we offer comprehensive and competitive health, wellness, and additional benefits to eligible full-time team members. Benefit eligibility may vary based on location, average hours worked, and length of service.
Benefits may include:
- Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance for the associate and eligible dependents
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- 401(k) retirement savings program
- Mental health resources and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Paid vacation time (accrued based on hours worked and tenure)
- Paid company holidays
- Employee discount across our family of brands
- Potential eligibility for annual merit-based compensation increases, where applicable
Exact benefit terms, conditions, and eligibility requirements are governed by official plan documents and applicable law. The Company reserves the right to modify, amend, or terminate benefit plans and programs at any time.
Requirements
- Experience in décor, gift, floral, plants, home or related consumer product categories is a plus
- Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, merchandising, product development, or a related field
- Minimum 2 years of experience in product development, merchandising, product management, or a related role
- Proficiency in MS Office applications
- Above-average knowledge of MS Excel
- Strong data entry, documentation, and proofreading skills
- Ability to analyze numerical data, pricing and gross margin calculations and ensure accuracy
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Strong organizational and project management skills
- Knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud applications and/or PLM systems is preferred, but not required
See all 183+ OPT Product Development Manager Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Product Development Manager Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Product Development Manager
Lead with your STEM OPT eligibility upfront
If your degree qualifies for STEM OPT, mention your 36-month authorization window early in outreach and interviews. Employers hesitate less when they understand you have three years before any H-1B sponsorship decision is required.
Frame your degree field as core to the role
Product Development Manager roles often require engineering, computer science, or applied sciences backgrounds. Explicitly connecting your degree to the technical requirements of the role strengthens your H-1B specialty occupation case later.
Prioritize mid-size tech and hardware companies
Mid-size companies in software, consumer electronics, and manufacturing frequently need product development leadership and sponsor OPT holders. They face less bureaucracy than large enterprises and move faster on hiring decisions.
Prepare a concise OPT authorization summary for hiring managers
Many hiring managers are unfamiliar with OPT mechanics. A one-paragraph explanation of your current authorization, STEM extension eligibility, and H-1B timeline removes uncertainty and prevents your application from stalling in HR reviews.
Apply before your OPT start date if possible
Starting your job search two to three months before OPT begins gives employers time to complete interviews and onboarding without feeling rushed by your authorization window. Rushed timelines raise sponsorship concerns even at willing companies.
Product Development Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Product Development Manager on OPT?
Yes, as long as the role is directly related to your field of study. Product Development Manager positions typically require engineering, computer science, or a related technical degree, which aligns well with STEM OPT eligibility. Your work must be in your degree field to remain compliant with F-1 OPT requirements.
Does a Product Development Manager role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree. If you hold a STEM-designated degree in fields like computer science, mechanical engineering, or industrial engineering, and the role involves technical product work, it likely qualifies. Your DSO must approve the extension, and your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify. Confirm the STEM designation with your international student office.
How do I find Product Development Manager jobs that sponsor OPT?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for employers open to OPT and visa sponsorship, so you are not wasting time on roles that will screen you out. Product development roles appear across tech, medical devices, consumer goods, and manufacturing sectors. Browsing by industry on Migrate Mate helps you identify which companies actively hire OPT candidates for this title.
What should I say when an employer asks about my work authorization as an OPT candidate?
Be direct: state your current OPT authorization period, confirm your STEM extension eligibility if applicable, and explain that H-1B sponsorship would be needed after that window. Avoid vague answers. Employers appreciate candidates who understand their own situation clearly, and transparency early reduces the chance of an offer falling through later.
Is a Product Development Manager role considered a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Generally yes, when the role requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific technical or engineering field. Positions involving product lifecycle management, technical roadmaps, or cross-functional engineering leadership typically meet the specialty occupation standard. However, roles framed as general management without a degree requirement in a specific field may face additional scrutiny from USCIS.