Product Developer

Job Type
Full-time
Description
Who we are
For nearly three decades, 686 Apparel has been developing, testing, and engineering technical fabrications and laminations in apparel. Everything we do is based around innovation, people, and purpose with the goal to build the best performance products with our active-minded community. We create products. We create a community. We create experiences.
Our key building blocks:
- Independence
- Innovation
- Inclusion
- Community
- Sustainability
We're looking for an experienced and motivated Product Developer to drive the comprehensive development process from concept to production.
What you'll do
The Product Developer is responsible for managing the development process from concept through production, in accordance with end-user needs, corporate standards for quality, consistency & functionality, while meeting price, minimums, sourcing strategies, and exceeding customer expectations. You will be highly organized, detailed, and action-orientated, with the ability to be flexible and manage a large workload in a fast-paced environment and resolve issues that arise.
You'll drive operational excellence every step of the way to ensure flawless accuracy and on-time deliveries by managing the product development process from seasonal kick-off through to commercialization, and you'll collaborate with internal teams and suppliers to provide an effective transition from brief/design through to development "buy-ready.
How you'll do it
- Manage and maintain accurate tech packages in accordance with the original vision.
- Ensure BOM, Color, Datasheets, Packaging, and all tech pack info remains operationally excellent in collaboration with overseas factory contacts.
- Manage new fabric development with our factories with both an innovation and sustainability lens in mind.
- Ensure communication is clear, organized, and steady to ensure the original vision and the requirements both here and in Asia can bring the ideas to life.
- Monitor development throughout the process from trims to fabric and so on to ensure the smooth development of each concept and manage the expectations on the timelines.
- In partnership with GDL (Asia office) assess all commercialization challenges including but not limited to costing and ensuring that problems are solved along the way.
- Ensure attention to detail is paramount across the process to achieve best in class fit, functionality, and durability at the final sample stage.
- Develop a clear understanding of 686's sustainability strategies and initiatives and work with M&D as well as the Asia office to ensure sustainability is inherent to the design and development process Vs adjacent to it.
- The ideal candidate is self-motivated with strong problem-solving skills and able to work in fast paced environment with a positive attitude.
- Ability to multitask, comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, and handle multiple projects simultaneously to meet quick deliveries
- Excellent communication and attention to details with exceptional organizational skills
- Must possess strong knowledge of costing, garment construction, pre-production and production work flow.
Requirements
What you bring
- Have at least three (3) years of experience in product development or production in garment manufacturing
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong operational skills and ability to simplify the complex
- Strong business acumen
- Basic CAD programs like Adobe Illustrator, In Design, and Photoshop are preferred
- Intermediate office program skills like Excel, Word, and Outlook
- Strong cross-functional collaborator
- Strong organizational skills
- Ability to work in a fast-paced and often changing business environment
- Passion for the industry, culture, art, design, and general trends
- Ability to assert point of view
- College degree preferred
If this sounds like you, we can't wait to connect!! Submit your resume today for immediate consideration.
Salary Description
$65,000-$80,000