Apparel Product Development

LJA Group LLC; North Carolina; On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Laylas Dance is seeking an Apparel Product Development lead to coordinate sample development and the launch of new and rebranded products, growing product lines. You will report to the Director, Product Development Team and work from our Wallace, NC location.

You will manage the entire product lifecycle across seasons, collaborate with designers, and ensure construction, color, and branding standards are met. This role interacts with overseas vendors and internal teams to drive on-time delivery.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of product development experience in knit apparel
• Spec and tech editing experience
• Strong knowledge of structural construction in knit apparel
• Color approval experience

Responsibilities

• Own product lifecycle from inception to production and post-launch
• Collaborate with designers to meet design and commercialization objectives
• Create and maintain tracking system for cross-functional teams
• Coordinate with overseas vendors and manage production schedules
• Review techpacks for production feasibility and sample-to-techpack alignment
• Manage development timelines and supplier communication to meet milestones

Skills

Product development

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Vendor coordination

Communication skills

Tools

MS Office

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

ABOUT THE JOB

The Apparel Product Development position will be responsible for coordinating the various stages involved in the development of samples and the launch of new and/or rebranded products to grow product lines.

This position is reported directly to the Director, Product Development Team

Location Details

The position is based at our Wallace North Carolina location.

Responsibilities

• Own product lifecycle, from inception, sampling process into production, as well as any post launch issue resolution, with the ability to manage across multiple seasons & collections
• Work with designers to ensure overall design objectives are met from a designer's perspective and commercialization perspective
• Create and maintain tracking system that allows cross-functional teams to easily access PD materials and information
• Exhibit and execute strong knowledge of product construction. Knowledge of dance costumes and dance wear is not mandatory.
• Ability to communicate with overseas vendors and develop resources to maintain daily, weekly and monthly schedules.
• Review and analyze techpack to ensure production feasibility
• Ability to check sample to techpack to ensure proper execution
• Ensure all products and samples have achieved the construction, color and brand standards set forth by the design
• Manage any updates through the development process with the factories and internal team
• Own and maintain product development timelines and work directly with suppliers on tracking project progress ensuring team's adherence to deliverables at every stage in the process. (e.g. concepting phase, initial construction samples completed, component part and material sourcing, samples received, etc.)
• Coordinate with all manufacturers, suppliers and factories on any manufacturing issues or delays and work internally and externally to find solutions and/or alternatives
• Show creativity and resourcefulness to come up with solutions to issues which may arise during the development process and/or in anticipation to issues which may come up in sampling process and manufacturing
• Communicate development challenges to management on a timely basis, while offering alternative solutions
• Understand and manage QA/QC process, testing protocols, and regulations as they apply to product
• Organize project details meticulously to ensure specs are precise, timelines tracked, and deadlines met

Other related duties as required.

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

• 5+ years of Product development experience within the knit apparel industry
• Spec and tech editing experience
• Extensive experience and knowledge of structural construction within the category
• Color approval experience
• Timeline and project management expertise
• Cost of goods and margin management experience
• Very strong communication skills and ability to collaborate cross functionally and globally
• Strong Process and project management skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite

About Us

Laylas Dance is a family owned and operated Costume Company in the Dance Industry. Our product range from costumes, dancewear, accessoreis and shoes.