Product Development Associate

Job Summary: 

As the Product Development Associate, you will play a pivotal role driving the company’s growth through broadening our product catalog. Collaborating closely with internal teams and suppliers abroad, you’ll develop and manufacture products that meet our brand's standards and customer needs, ensuring that our offerings remain at the forefront of the industry. Your commitment to innovation, and willingness to push boundaries will be instrumental in driving our success as industry frontrunners.

What You’ll Do: 

• Proactively manage detailed time and action calendars, working cross-functionally with sourcing, product management, design, and operations teams to ensure timely project delivery


• Drive development of yarns, fabrics, and trims with overseas suppliers that meet the intended product brief and customer requirements


• Create and maintain detailed documentation for sampling specifications, sample feedback, performance testing results, pre-production trials, and production specifications


• Identify and proactively resolve issues that arise during development while ensuring that projects are delivered on-time and within budget


• Cultivate strong supplier relationships to efficiently oversee sampling schedules, handle development feedback, and negotiate advantageous costs and terms


• Conduct product research, user testing, and performance testing to validate product attributes, quality, and performance 


• Establish and enforce rigorous quality standards throughout the development life cycle to ensure our products meet and exceed customer expectations 


• Collaborate with product testing and compliance teams to ensure adherence to industry regulations, standards, and certifications

What You’ll Need to Have:

Required: 

• Bachelor's degree in related discipline


• 2-4 years of experience in product development, preferably within the home textiles industry


• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously


• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with internal teams and external suppliers


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools


• Willingness to travel occasionally to domestic and overseas supplier locations as needed


• Ability to work flexible hours as required to interface with non-USA time zones

Preferred: 

• Experience working with and traveling to factories in Asia


• Understanding of textile and yarn manufacturing processes and equipment (e.g., extruding, weaving, tufting, knitting, bonding, washing, finishing, etc.)


• Knowledge of ASTM, AATCC, ISO, or other related industry testing standards

Compensation:

• $70,000 - $90,000 per year base salary


• An annual bonus percentage that varies based on level of role


• Employer matching (up to 3% of base salary) for company sponsored 401K plan