Product Developer I, Outerwear, Accessories & Kids

Product Developer I

At L.L.Bean, we believe the outdoors brings out the best in all of us. We are committed to fostering a culture of belonging and creating safe, inclusive spaces where everyone feels welcome—both here and Outside. We value individual differences and are dedicated to maintaining an inclusive work environment where everyone can bring the best of their experience and talents and truly thrive. L.L.Bean is seeking a Product Developer I to support the execution of line development for Outerwear/Kids/Accessories categories and build toward full ownership of a product category. In this role, you will collaborate cross‑functionally with design, merchandising, and sourcing teams to bring high‑quality products to life. You’ll play a key part in managing systems, processes, samples, and quality standards to ensure a seamless development process and exceptional product execution.
Responsibilities

Conduct Market & customer research through focus groups, vendor/mill visits & field testing.
Travel to trade shows for material sourcing.
Travel to factories and mills to research construction techniques and material innovation.
Work with raw materials to identify new fabric development needs.
Provide fabric development needs to mills and/or raw materials suppliers to develop materials that meet strategic direction and cost.
Ensure Corp Merchant's vision is met through development of products that meet cost & margin targets, including attention to materials, construction, fit, wear/lab testing, performance & function.
Develop/drive calendar to meet development timelines, production plans and delivery schedules for products and raw materials.
Monitor to ensure all deadlines are met.
Collaborate with key partners to ensure fabric selection meets original product intent.
Ensure fabric selection passes lab testing; meets cost target; is commercially viable and meets the original Design intent for hand‑feel and drape aesthetic.
Work with key partners to determine vendors, ensuring best price, construction, quality, design, and cost/value relationship standards.
Partner with Sourcing to review product costing, negotiate pricing and provide input to vendor performance management.
Manage relationship with vendors to ensure product standards are met while maintaining cost and efficiency of process.
Provide input to product research & testing, quality & fit specifications to maintain product quality and reduce return rates.
Partner with Graphics to develop and execute labels, hang‑tags, and packaging.
Support photo sample process.
Order and track to ensure photo samples are received in a timely manner.
Maintain systems to support the development process.
Incorporate packaging & hang‑tag requirements into product specifications.
Resolve problems & troubleshoot issues as they arise.
Maintain consistent flow of information to key partners including Merchandising, Design, Sourcing & Technical Design to ensure that key aspects of the product are clearly communicated.
Provide support & coordination for the team and manage low to medium size demand center.
Make sound and timely decisions for activities within own area of responsibility, consulting others as appropriate.
Communicate to cross‑department group.
Perform moderately complex analysis of data.
Identify trends.
Make suggestions.
Actively learn and apply new skills, techniques, and procedures.
Identify issues within the context of own job which require decisions or other action.
Make innovative suggestions and try new approaches.
Use language to convey tone, clear meaning, and substance.
Leverage written communications to keep others informed.
Produce written work that is clear, easy to follow, and concise.
Build collaborative relationships to support win‑win outcomes.
Effectively advocate for ideas.
Advocate for ideas while remaining open to others.
Mentor others.
Tasks are a balance of strategic and tactical.
Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications

BA/BS preferred.
1–3 years of relevant experience required.
Fabric/textile experience required.
Proven understanding of the end‑to‑end product development process.
Strong ability to build cross‑functional relationships and communicate effectively.
Health and Safety Requirement

Every employee is responsible for contributing to a safe and healthy workplace. Employees are expected to be active participants in health and safety by following all safety policies and procedures, reporting unsafe conditions or at‑risk behaviors to leadership, and conducting work in a safe manner. Those in a leadership role are also expected to model safe behaviors, evaluate risk, and ensure that risks are reduced to acceptable levels.
Benefits

Our benefits package makes a good thing even better, with programs and perks designed to support your health and financial goals. Plus, maintaining a healthy work‑life balance and re‑charging outside are all part of the plan.
If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you'd be great at this role, we'd love to learn more about you!

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