Product Development Associate, International Handbags
Steve Madden, New York, NY, United States
General Summary
The Product Development Associate is responsible for supporting the SMI International Handbag Team throughout design and development lifecycle from concept through final sample. This position supports the Steve Madden International Handbag business. This position is based in our NYC office and requires working on‑site.
Key Responsibilities
Support the design and development process of handbags from concept through final sample, ensuring design intent and technical accuracy are maintained throughout
Assist in the preparation and ongoing updates of seasonal trend boards and color palettes to reflect evolving concepts and market direction
Create and maintain seasonal CAD decks, and update existing CADs and specification sheets in Egnyte as needed
Track the development progress and raw material status each season, ensuring timely follow‑ups with cross‑functional partners and factories
Help maintain seasonal development books by factory and organize all incoming and outgoing samples with accurate tracking of status and approvals across development stages
Able to manage multiple projects and deadlines with support and resources as needed
Perform other duties and special projects as assigned
Specific Job Skills Essential duties include
Technical designing
Open and distribute daily packages; unpack, label, and manage incoming samples to ensure seamless processing
Coordinate the shipment of samples and development materials to and from overseas factories and internal partners, ensuring timely and accurate delivery
Assist in the maintenance of technical packages, including construction details, measurements, and revisions in response to development changes or factory feedback
Communicate basic technical updates and clarifications to factories, under the guidance of senior team members
Maintain seasonal material cards and maintain the organization of seasonal reference samples and archives
Oversee the Handbag Design Archive Closet, ensuring all samples and materials are properly labeled, stored, and cataloged for future use
Support in organizing and preparing reference sample shipments to factories, categorized by season and collection
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Accessories Design, Fashion Design, Product Development, or a related field
Minimum of 1–3+ years of experience in handbag design, product development, or technical design preferred
Proficient in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Microsoft Office, and familiarity with PLM systems or digital file management (e.g., Egnyte)
Excellent interpersonal, problem‑solving, and organizational skills
Exceptional organizational and time management skills; able to juggle multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams and with overseas vendors
Detail‑oriented with a proactive approach to problem‑solving and workflow improvement.
Passion for handbags and accessories, and an understanding of both the design and technical development process
The expected base salary for this position ranges from $26.00-$31.25/Hr. Ranges are based on various factors such as relevant skillset, training, years of experience related to the current job description, education, and our organizational structure. In addition to the base salary, Steve Madden offers a competitive benefits package that includes health and dental insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, 401K, paid holidays, a generous paid time‑off policy, and career opportunities within a dynamic team.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Key Responsibilities
Support the design and development process of handbags from concept through final sample, ensuring design intent and technical accuracy are maintained throughout
Assist in the preparation and ongoing updates of seasonal trend boards and color palettes to reflect evolving concepts and market direction
Create and maintain seasonal CAD decks, and update existing CADs and specification sheets in Egnyte as needed
Track the development progress and raw material status each season, ensuring timely follow‑ups with cross‑functional partners and factories
Help maintain seasonal development books by factory and organize all incoming and outgoing samples with accurate tracking of status and approvals across development stages
Able to manage multiple projects and deadlines with support and resources as needed
Perform other duties and special projects as assigned
Specific Job Skills Essential duties include
Technical designing
Open and distribute daily packages; unpack, label, and manage incoming samples to ensure seamless processing
Coordinate the shipment of samples and development materials to and from overseas factories and internal partners, ensuring timely and accurate delivery
Assist in the maintenance of technical packages, including construction details, measurements, and revisions in response to development changes or factory feedback
Communicate basic technical updates and clarifications to factories, under the guidance of senior team members
Maintain seasonal material cards and maintain the organization of seasonal reference samples and archives
Oversee the Handbag Design Archive Closet, ensuring all samples and materials are properly labeled, stored, and cataloged for future use
Support in organizing and preparing reference sample shipments to factories, categorized by season and collection
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Accessories Design, Fashion Design, Product Development, or a related field
Minimum of 1–3+ years of experience in handbag design, product development, or technical design preferred
Proficient in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Microsoft Office, and familiarity with PLM systems or digital file management (e.g., Egnyte)
Excellent interpersonal, problem‑solving, and organizational skills
Exceptional organizational and time management skills; able to juggle multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams and with overseas vendors
Detail‑oriented with a proactive approach to problem‑solving and workflow improvement.
Passion for handbags and accessories, and an understanding of both the design and technical development process
The expected base salary for this position ranges from $26.00-$31.25/Hr. Ranges are based on various factors such as relevant skillset, training, years of experience related to the current job description, education, and our organizational structure. In addition to the base salary, Steve Madden offers a competitive benefits package that includes health and dental insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, 401K, paid holidays, a generous paid time‑off policy, and career opportunities within a dynamic team.
#J-18808-Ljbffr