Senior Product Developer

Job Purpose

This role collaborates with Operations, Merchandising, Tech Design, Design and Production teams to execute product initiatives utilizing creative thinking, problem solving, and confident decision-making skills. The Senior Product Developer coordinates & keeps the fabric / trim / supplier deliverables on time, data management, construction, fit, quality, and costing which results in the commercial execution of products in their assigned categories. This role manages and reports on the development of their category as it relates to the calendar, product quality, margin, and delivery for all sales channels. The Senior Product Developer performs at an independent, self-directed level.

Responsibilities

• Manages the product lifecycle time & action of specified product categories based on BR development calendar and collaborates with Design, Merchandising, Tech Design and Production teams to achieve commercial viability of designs
• Proactively communicates deadlines with internal (Design, Merchandising, Tech Design, Production, Sales and Marketing) and external teams (vendors and suppliers) to ensure product delivery dates are met
• Provides input to the Design team in creating the best product possible at the right cost, aligning with strategies and seasonal vision
• Proactively trouble-shoots issues regarding fabric characteristics, technical construction, fit, packaging, and functionality vs. style details to maximize margin and production friendly garments
• Review and ensure tech packs are not missing any details needed for sample execution prior to sending to vendors
• Communicates with factories to ensure timely development of prototypes, salesman samples, and fit samples
• Source fabric and trims.  Follow up with lab dip and strike-off deliveries
• Negotiates cost, lead time, and MCQ / MOQ to ensure they are within BR working parameters
• Request and manage Fabric and Trim detail sheets (FDS and TDS)
• Create and manage hand, color, stretch standards once fabrics and trims are adopted
• Manage vendor testing with third party testing facilities
• Attends all fittings
• Executes cost process by negotiating and tracking cost submittals from factories. Aim to achieve specific margin goals for each product set by the Management team.
• Input relevant data to cost data sheet & present cost / vendor options to team
• Create, update and maintain Full Circle with current colors, bill of materials, costing at all times
• Work with Production team each season to ensure that each style is production appropriate
• Counter-source products to effectively build products at the best cost, quality, and compliance
• Ensure monthly budget is being maintained
• Manage and report monthly SKU count projection vs actual sku count
• In conjunction with the Merch and Design teams, maintain data integrity regarding product specifications for Lookbook and on-line launches
• Track and develop SMU styles according to seasonal requests
• Execute and manage any sampling requests made prior to buy
• Validate care label instructions based on fabric / garment qualities and end use
• Review, evaluate, and suggest solutions to QC issues at time of salesman samples and communicates findings to Design, Sales and Production teams
• Provides vendor base assessments based on strengths, quality, capacity, delivery and MOQ
• Makes thoughtful daily decisions to maintain high levels of standards in quality from development to production
• Takes the lead on production handoff once buys are received
• Responsible for vendor allocation (with signed approval of VP of Sourcing), providing TNA of confirmed deliveries and negotiated costs to Production team within 48 hours of receipt of the buy
• Manage vendor set ups, W8 / W9, bank info, payment terms, profile, and certification collection. Pass to accounting for set up

Required Skills