Associate Manager, Product Development; Women's Apparel

Associate Manager, Product Development (Women's Apparel)

Who We Are:

We’re a mission-based company that invests in an inclusive culture so we can innovate together and ensure everyone has the space to grow, thrive, and belong. And starting right now, we want to do all that with you.

The Role:

Work Location/

Schedule:

5 days/week in office, Vernon

What you’ll do:

• Own and drive the full apparel product development process, ensuring milestones are met across Product Development, Technical Design, and Production.
• Track and proactively manage all development-related deliverables, including BOM accuracy, sample tracking, and approvals, to ensure styles are on schedule.
• Ensure vendor scorecard KPIs (lead time, on-time development, and quality) are consistently met by holding vendors accountable and escalating issues as needed.
• Lead exception management with vendors, analyzing root causes of delays and implementing solutions instead of merely reporting late timelines.
• Have a strong understanding of product cost structure and cost levers to support effective vendor negotiations, ensuring target margins and calendar timelines are met.
• Manage cost sheets and ensure all pricing is updated accurately and on time, with justification for any cost increases or variances.
• Partner with vendors to resolve costing and lead time challenges, ensuring strategic alignment between business needs and vendor capabilities.

• Maintain real-time, accurate updates in all tracking systems (ERP, PLM, BOMs, WIPs) with full transparency for cross-functional partners.
• Drive proactive and concise communication across teams (Design, Merchandising, Materials, Technical Design, Purchasing, Production) to ensure seamless execution.
• Anticipate risks, clearly articulate challenges, and provide well-thought-out solutions when presenting updates to leadership.
• Hold all teams accountable for deliverables by ensuring there is always clear next-step ownership, reducing unnecessary delays.

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of all company systems and SOPs, adhering to structured processes without deviation.
• Ensure all PLM/BOMs are correctly maintained in the shared system, with no missing data, inconsistencies, or offline tracking that could create gaps for cross-functional teams.
• Attend daily fittings, capturing clear and actionable notes while following up without delay to ensure feedback is executed accurately.
• Partner with the Production team weekly to confirm styles are production-ready and aligned with the factory’s capabilities.
• Take ownership of all sample-related logistics, including tracking ETAs and ensuring samples are ready for fittings and approvals.

• Plan, prioritize, and manage workload effectively, ensuring all deadlines are met without requiring excessive oversight.
• Understand and work towards department financial goals, including top-line revenue and inventory objectives.
• Exhibit a high level of ownership, following instructions precisely and ensuring tasks are completed the first time without repeated reminders.
• Proactively surface opportunities for process improvement, vendor performance enhancement, and cost optimization.

• Support new vendor sourcing and onboarding to strengthen the supply base and improve cost and lead time efficiencies.
• Take initiative in contributing to department objectives beyond day-to-day execution, supporting leadership in driving strategic initiatives.
• Actively participate in business-critical meetings, demonstrating preparedness and contributing solutions rather than observations.

• Zero tolerance for missed deadlines without proactive communication and a clear resolution plan.
• Full compliance with data integrity and system updates—no offline tracking or incomplete information.
• Effective cost management that contribute to margin improvement and lead time efficiency.
• Strong vendor management with accountability for performance improvement, not just status updates.
• Clear, concise, and action-driven communication…