Product Development Manager (7-Month Maternity Cover) (f/m/x)

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

Fossil Group is looking for a detail-oriented Product Development Manager for a 7-month maternity cover in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland to lead end-to-end development, hit timelines and profitability, and act as the liaison across Design, Technical Development, Prototype, Brand, Licensing and Manufacturing. This hybrid role requires 3-7 years in product development in fashion or consumer goods, strong project management skills, cross-functional collaboration with international suppliers, and solid costing and analysis capability; English fluency is essential, basic Italian is a plus. Work onsite Monday to Thursday with remote Fridays. To apply, tailor your resume to show impact on schedules and margins, highlight licensing and vendor experience, and reflect Fossil’s values Authenticity, Grit, Curiosity, Humor, and Impact.

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Who We Are
At Fossil Group, we are part of an international team that dares to dream, disrupt, and deliver innovative watches, jewelry, and leather goods to the world. We're committed to long-term value creation, driven by technology and our core values: Authenticity, Grit, Curiosity, Humor, and Impact. If you are a forward-thinker who thrives in a diverse, global setting, we want to hear from you.


Make an Impact
We are seeking a detail-oriented and collaborative Product Development Manager to join our Product Development team in Bienne/Biel, Switzerland, on a 7-month maternity leave cover contract. In this role, you will manage the end-to-end product development process, ensuring timelines, quality standards, and profitability targets are achieved while serving as a key liaison between Design, Technical Development, Prototype, Brand, Licensing, and Manufacturing partners.
You will play a critical role in bringing innovative products to market by coordinating cross-functional teams, managing product costs, supporting licensing requirements, and ensuring seamless communication throughout the development lifecycle.
This is a hybrid position based in our Bienne/Biel office. You will be required to work onsite from Monday through Thursday, with the flexibility to work remotely on Fridays. This role reports directly to the Group Manager Product Development.
What you will do in this role:
Product Development & Project Management
• Manage the product development process from concept through production, ensuring timelines, quality standards, and profitability goals are achieved.
• Maintain product development documentation, pricing records, project grids, and communication in an organized and accessible manner.
• Generate and maintain new style setup documentation, product grids, technical documentation, and development tracking tools.
• Coordinate product samples across global teams, photo studios, sales support teams, and external partners.
• Develop packaging, hangtags, and other product-related materials in collaboration with Brand teams to support new product launches.
Costing & Commercial Analysis
• Lead initial cost discussions with manufacturing partners and review product costing throughout the development process.
• Monitor pricing, margins, and product profitability, communicating risks and opportunities to key stakeholders.
• Analyze sales performance and market trends to support product decisions and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Participate in competitor analysis and contribute to department-wide reporting and insights.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner closely with Design, Prototype, Technical Development, Brand, and Licensing teams to ensure successful product execution.
• Participate in regular product and design reviews, sharing updates on development status, trends, opportunities, and risks.
• Support the preparation of presentations and materials for key internal reviews and licensor approval meetings.
• Collaborate with regional and global teams to support special projects and business initiatives.
Vendor & Licensor Management
• Communicate daily with manufacturing partners to ensure development milestones are achieved and quality standards are maintained.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with factories, licensors, and internal stakeholders to support successful product launches.
• Support licensor communications, approvals, and product review processes as needed.
Who You Are
• 3–7 years of experience in Product Development, Product Management, Merchandising, Retail, or a related field within the watch, accessories, fashion, or consumer goods industry.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Experience working with international manufacturing partners and cross-functional teams.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate pricing, margins, and sales performance.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Fashion Merchandising, Product Management, or equivalent professional experience.
• Fluent in English.
• Basic Italian language skills are a plus.
What We Offer
• A collaborative and international work environment.
• Opportunities to work with globally recognized lifestyle and fashion brands.
• Professional development and learning opportunities.
• A competitive benefits package aligned with local market practices.
• Employee discounts on Fossil Group products.


At Fossil Group, we embrace purpose and take every opportunity to work together to make the world a little better. We’re committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity and collaboration, where all employees are encouraged to contribute their unique selves and perspectives as valued members of our team.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in all employment practices without regard to age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.

If you need any accommodations during the interview process, just let us know at [email protected].