Manager Apparel Product Development

Manager Product Development 554

The Product Development Manager is a dynamic, multi-faceted cross functional team member who partners with merchandising, design and the global supply chain to achieve an aesthetically pleasing and quality product that meets trend, cost and delivery targets.
  

Essential Functions:      

• Provide direction and research on fabric, color and style trend for Adult social, Junior social, Bridesmaids, LWD, and Accessories.  Issue seasonal fabric and color trend reports to the design and merchant teams.  
• Direct fabric development, procurement, sourcing, cost, availability and minimums for all divisions of the business. Negotiate fabric and trim costs where needed.
• Define and address issues that impact cost and styling during the product development process.  Offer solutions to hit financial goals. Leverage knowledge of garment construction to make style adjustments to achieve IMU target.

Manage the sketch review and sketch selection process with design and merchant teams for all divisions. Communicate all sketch details and issue line sheets to the joint venture partners detailing fabric, trim and style changes.  Assure that product development calendar milestones are met.Provide seasonal direction on Print for all divisions.  Manage the acquisition and execution of printed fabrics through print houses, freelancers and joint venture partners including purchase and budget, colorization, strike off and production.  Use knowledge of garment construction to participate in all product style reviews, offering solutions to fit and sizing issues as well as style line adjustments.  Build, update and maintain working fabric library for all divisions.Accountable for all color development and production bulk approvalsResponsible for the coaching and development of the product development specialist    Facilitate the construction of seasonal product development milestone calendars in partnership with SVP & senior merchandising team members 

Qualifications – Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (Required or Preferred):

• Education: Bachelors in textile design or fashion design preferred
• Years of product development experience: 10+ years preferred
• Managerial/leadership experience required
• Knowledge of color development including ability to read, understand and communicate color data, both visual and digital, required
• Ability to communicate promptly and accurately via computer, telephone, or similar device with or without assistive technology
• Ability to perform sedentary work
• Ability to balance, bend, kneel, squat, and reach
• Regularly lift and/or move up to 20 pounds
• Ability to travel by car, rail, or air