Product Developer, FT

Position:        Product Developer – Apparel & Related Accessories

Reports To:   Design Manager

FLSA Status:  Exempt

SUMMARY:  Responsible for the commercialization and development of the apparel and related accessories from design through production.  Directly responsible for all aspects of the bill of materials which includes sourcing of material and trims for the initial prototype through production.  Assures that the materials and trims meet technical and quality standards as well as minimum requirements for the brand.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assures that the Bill of Materials, Labels and Artwork, and Packaging and Presentation pages within the Tech packs are maintained with the materials, trims, images and technical data sheets. 


• Reviews prototypes, samples, pre-production and TOP samples as well as their respective trim cards to assure that the materials/trims are accurate.


• Reviews Costing Detail sheets and maintains accurate records.


• Reviews and approves artwork and lab dips from development through production.


• Establishes and maintains tracking for materials and trim development.


• Works closely with the Design, Development and Technical Design teams to facilitate the sourcing and development of products that align with product and brand direction.


• Assures products meet corporate standards for quality and functionality as well as unique product standards outlined.


• Continually looks for materials, methods, and techniques to assure costs and margin goals are maintained.


• Develops the materials and trims meet price, minimums and sourcing strategies.


• Clearly communicates testing requirements, pricing goals, and quality requirements to the vendors. 


• Keep internal team updated on the status through the development and redevelopment process.


• Ensures timelines are maintained.


• Understands the rules and regulations to achieve the outlined standards to ensure compliance to brand, regulatory, and other standards. 


• Manages the product/wear testing with end users, internal and external team, and any 3 party testing required. 


• Assures 3 party testing of products to conform to vendor manual requirements and/or certifications is maintained and up to date.


• Directly responsible to assure the accuracy and maintenance of all tech packs, bill of materials and price information.


• Continually looking for innovative and technologically advanced products, materials, trims, and colors that meet the needs of the mission statement.

Specific responsibilities

• Maintains accurate records on tech packs including illustrations, measurements, bill of materials, color ways, packaging pages and history page within tech pack.


• Maintains accurate product development records, material details, parts lists and cost sheets.


• Responsible for color management, review and approvals.


• Clearly and expeditiously communicates changes and corrections to internal and external team.


• Manages the product testing records for outlined programs.


• Accountable to maintain product costing and estimated landed pricing for product category.


• Negotiates product costs, fabric costs, and trim prices.  Defers to VP of Design & Development for final approval and changes to all products, budgetary, and travel issues.


• Accountable for the timely adherence of calendar dates as defined by the corporate calendar.  Provides team with input for the establishment of the timelines, signs off on and adopts expected goals. 


• Accountable to maintain product costing and estimated landed pricing for assigned product category.


• Overseas fittings and size review and product testing.


• Overseas and domestic travel as needed.


• Other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION:

• Fashion or Industrial Design Experience or related degree and/or experience


• 5-8 Years of experience working in a design/development environment or related role


• Proficiency in MS Office, including Excel, Work, Outlook


• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator


• Experience with pattern & software a plus!

Physical Demands:

•  Regularly required to sit, talk, use repetitive motion, type, and hear


• Frequently required to stand, walk, use hands and fingers to handle and feel, and reach with hands and arms.


• Occasionally required to bend, kneel, crouch, climb stairs, and reach overhead


• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds


• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance; for color a minimum of average rating on the Munsell Farnsworth 100 Hue Color Discrimination Test.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.