Product Developer I, Outerwear, Accessories & Kids

Position Overview
Product Developer I supports line development for Outerwear, Kids and Accessories categories and works toward full ownership of a product category. The role collaborates cross-functionally with design, merchandising, and sourcing teams to bring high-quality products to life, managing systems, processes, samples, and quality standards for a seamless development process and exceptional product execution.

Responsibilities

Conduct market and customer research through focus groups, vendor/mill visits and 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 and provide requirements to mills or suppliers to develop materials that meet strategic direction and cost.

Ensure corporate merchant’s vision is met by developing products that meet cost and margin targets, including materials, construction, fit, wear/lab testing, performance and function.

Develop and drive calendar to meet development timelines, production plans and delivery schedules for products and raw materials, monitoring all deadlines.

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 aligns with the original design intent for handfeel and aesthetic.

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 relationships with vendors to ensure product standards while maintaining cost and process efficiency.

Provide input to product research and testing, quality and fit specifications to maintain product quality and reduce return rates.

Partner with graphics to develop and execute labels, hangtags and packaging.

Support photo sample process—order and track to ensure samples are received timely.

Maintain systems to support the development process.

Incorporate packaging and hangtag requirements into product specifications.

Resolve problems and troubleshoot issues as they arise.

Maintain consistent flow of information to partners including merchandising, design, sourcing and technical design.

Provide support and 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 and communicating to cross-department groups.

Perform moderately complex analysis of data, identify trends and make suggestions.

Actively learn and apply new skills, techniques and procedures.

Identify issues within the context of own job that require actions.

Make innovative suggestions and try new approaches.

Use language effectively to convey tone, clear meaning and substance.

Leverage written communications to keep others informed.

Produce clear, concise written work.

Build collaborative relationships to support win-win outcomes.

Advocate ideas and remain open to others.

Mentor others.

Balance strategic and tactical tasks.

Perform other duties as assigned.

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.

Skills & 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.

Benefits
Our benefits package supports your health and financial goals with programs and perks designed to promote balance and recharge outside the workplace.

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