Apparel Product Development

LJA Group LLC; Wallace (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

401(k) matching

Competitive salary

Job summary

LJA Group LLC is seeking an Apparel Product Development Coordinator based in Wallace, North Carolina. This position is responsible for overseeing the product lifecycle from sample development to production while collaborating with designers and managing vendor communications. The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of experience in knit apparel product development, strong project management abilities, and excellent communication skills. Benefits include paid time off, 401(k) matching, and a competitive salary.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Cost of goods and margin management experience.

Responsibilities

• Own product lifecycle, from inception to production.
• Coordinate with designers to meet design objectives.
• Maintain tracking system for PD materials and information.
• Manage product development timelines with suppliers.
• Communicate development challenges to management.

Skills

Product development experience

Strong communication skills

Project management expertise

Proficiency with Microsoft Office

Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Benefits

• Paid time off
• 401(k) matching
• Competitive salary

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.