Associate Product Development Manager

ASSOCIATE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

REPORTS TO:

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

STATUS: EXEMPT

The Associate Product Development Manager is responsible for supporting the execution of product development strategies across assigned categories, from initial concept through final production handoff. This role plays a critical part in managing the product lifecycle, ensuring that all styles meet brand standards for quality, fit, cost, and aesthetic.

Operating as a key liaison between internal teams—including Design, Merchandising, Sourcing, Planning, and Technical Design—and external vendor partners, this role ensures that seasonal product lines are developed on time, within margin goals, and aligned with the creative direction. The Associate Product Development Manager contributes to material and trim development, manages PLM data accuracy, and supports all phases of sample management and product approvals.

• Style, Tech Pack, and BOM management:
  Manage accurate creation and maintenance of style records, and Bills of Materials (BOMs) within PLM (Centric), ensuring development integrity.
• Preseason concept raw material development:
  Collaborate with Design and Sourcing to develop raw materials aligned with seasonal concepts, innovation targets, and cost goals.
• Centric Style Creation/Carryover:
  Build new styles and manage seasonal carryovers in Centric PLM, ensuring data accuracy throughout the development lifecycle.
• Create Style Colorways:
  Generate and maintain seasonal colorways per style, ensuring alignment with creative and merchandising direction.
• Style Status Updates:
  Monitor and update style statuses including additions and drops, providing rationale and ensuring timely communication across teams.
• Bill of Materials Ownership:
  Create and manage BOMs with complete and up-to-date information on fabrics, trims, and construction details.
• Supplier Sample Request Management:
  Submit and track development sample requests with vendors; ensure timely receipt and elevate delays when necessary.
• Target Margin Support (EB Goals):
  Support cost optimization efforts by recommending fabric or trim alternatives to help meet enterprise-wide margin targets.
• Trim Package Development:
  Lead the development and approval of seasonal trim packages, ensuring aesthetic alignment and cost efficiency.
• Lab Dip, wash, print/pattern development:
  Coordinate lab dip, print, and wash submissions; track approvals to ensure calendar alignment and aesthetic consistency.
• Sample Tracking and
  
  Risk Management:
  
  Manage and track samples across all development stages; prepare for key milestone meetings and elevate risk as needed.
• Partner with Tech Design for Sample Fittings:
  Work closely with Technical Design to support fittings and ensure sample quality aligns with brand standards.
• Style Comments and Communication:
  Document and distribute development and fit comments to vendors and internal partners for action.
• Line Handoff Management:
  Facilitate final handoff of product lines to both Technical Design and Production teams post-Line Freeze.
• WIP and PLM Data Management:
  Maintain accurate development work-in-progress reports and ensure Centric PLM data is current across all style records.
• Demonstrates high level of quality work, attendance and appearance.
• Demonstrates high degree of professionalism in communication, attitude and teamwork with customers, peers and management.
• Adhere to all local, federal and state laws in addition to Company policies, procedures, and practices.
• Performs any other duties that may be assigned by management.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Product Development, Textiles, or related field
• 3+ years of experience with product development
• Vast knowledge and working experience with garment construction, textile development and category-specific product development including complex categories such as Denim and Outerwear (high technology-performance experience a plus)
• Proven ability to manage full product lifecycle from Concept to Buy placement with a focus on cost engineering
• Strong communication skills with a track record of achieving metrics without compromising product quality or…