Product Developer

aldogroup; Montreal (administrative region); On-site; CAD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

ALDO Group in Montreal is seeking a Product Developer to support communication between suppliers, internal teams and retail partners, guiding product development from concept to sample. The role suits someone who thrives in a fast-paced fashion environment and is passionate about footwear and handbags.

You will conduct trend research, participate in design meetings, build supplier relationships, help manage costs and IMU targets, and oversee sample development, ensuring timely handoffs with

Qualifications

• University degree preferred.
• At least 5 years in a footwear or handbag product development role.
• Highly attuned to fashion trends with the ability to translate them visually.
• Positive, self-motivated and strong attention to detail.
• Capable of meeting multiple deadlines in a timely manner.
• Able to work both independently and in a team setting.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Excel and Word.
• Knowledge of Illustrator and Photoshop, an asset.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research of current and upcoming fashion trends and interpret for the appropriate wholesale brand customer.
• Assist in design meetings to provide brand-building ideas.
• Develop relationships and work closely with suppliers to develop new products and negotiate initial product costs.
• Calculate the IMU (initial markup) and provide recommendations to achieve both design and targeted IMU price targets in conjunction with suppliers.
• Responsible for price closing and negotiations taking into consideration material, construction, etc.
• Oversee sample development (prototypes, sales, and confirmation) to ensure proper execution.
• Tracking the modifications and obtaining approvals with the director and design team.
• Review development and confirmation samples for aesthetic, fit, design and quality, obtaining approval.
• Constantly analyzing sales results to propose new injections and repeats.

Skills

Trend interpretation

Supplier relationship

Cost negotiation

IMU calculation

Sample development

Team collaboration

Multitasking

Education

University degree preferred

Tools

Excel

Word

Illustrator

Photoshop

Job description

About the ALDO Group

Specializing in stylish and accessible footwear, handbags, and accessories, the ALDO Group has been around for more than 50 years. With over 1,500 stores in more than 100 countries, weoperateunder two signature brands, ALDO and Call It Spring, and we are the core footwear partner for Sperry in North America. The ALDO Group is also an industry-recognized wholesale licensed partner, specializing in the design, sourcing, and distribution of fashion footwear, handbags, and accessories. Our diverse portfolio includes household brands such as ROXY, Brooks Brothers, Ted Baker, Hunter, and G.H.BASS. In addition to our head office in Montreal, the ALDO Groupmaintainsinternational offices in Europe and Asia.For more information,visitwww.aldogroup.com.

Enjoymeaningfulrecognition,flexibleworkoptions,greaton‑siteperks,generousdiscounts, and the pride ofbeingpart of a brandthatleadswithpeople, theplanet, anditspartnersatheart.

About the Role

ALDO Product Services (APS) partners with major global retailers to deliver branded wholesale, private label, and sourcing solutions. As Product Developer, you’ll support communication between suppliers, internal teams, and retail partners while ensuring smooth product development from concept to sample. The Product Manager role is ideal for candidates that thrive in a fast-paced environment while being driven by their passion for footwear fashion.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct research of current and upcoming fashion trends and interpret for the appropriate wholesale brand customer.
• Assist in design meetings to provide brand-building ideas.
• Develop relationships and work closely with suppliers to develop new products and negotiate initial product costs.
• Calculate the IMU (initial markup) and provide recommendations to achieve both design and targeted IMU price targets in conjunction with suppliers.
• Responsible for price closing and negotiations taking into consideration material, construction, etc.
• Oversee sample development (prototypes, sales, and confirmation) to ensure proper execution. Tracking the modifications and obtaining approvals with the director and design team.
• Ensure that the product quality feedback is communicated to agents and internal teams (buyers, design and product engineering)
• Lead communications for manufacturing lead times with our Operations team (XF and delivery dates).
• Review development and confirmation samples for aesthetic, fit, design and quality, obtaining approval.
• Supervise worksheet creation and updates.
• Constantly analyzing sales results to propose new injections and repeats.
• Manage Digital Filtering prep. (unbox proto samples, merchandise and set up the protos into sections to reflect digital deck layout)
• Manage SMS specifications and requests.
• Validate target costs to reflect SMS requests.
• Track all SMS with the support of the Product Coordinator.
• Prep showroom for Handover Finalization (Unbox samples, merchandise and set up the SMS into sections.
• Manage HF regroup. Manage all sample comments and new additions.
• Manage revised SMS request.
• Validate all revised SMS.

Key Requirements

• University degree preferred.
• At least 5 years in a footwear or handbag product development role.
• Highly attuned to fashion trends with the ability to translate them visually.
• Positive, self-motivated and strong attention to detail.
• Capable of meeting multiple deadlines in a timely manner.
• Able to work both independently and in a team setting.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Excel and Word.
• Knowledge of Illustrator and Photoshop, an asset.