Commercial Product Developer

Workwear Outfitters, LLC; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Life and disability coverage

401(k) retirement savings plan

Tuition reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Job summary

Workwear Outfitters in Nashville, Tennessee seeks a Commercial Product Developer to manage the full product lifecycle from concept to commercialization, evaluating detailed customer requirements and coordinating with suppliers to meet cost and quality targets.

You will drive cross-functional collaboration with Merchandising, Program Management and Operations, maintain supplier relationships, and ensure timely development of products that satisfy our customers’ specifications and deadlines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required
• 3–5 years related experience preferred
• Experience in merchandising, procurement, product development or supply chain
• Apparel experience is a plus
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Strong negotiation skills
• Detail oriented with multitasking ability
• Ability to travel up to 10%

Responsibilities

• Drive all aspects of the commercial product development process for assigned accounts.
• Facilitate supplier communication with Merchandising, PM, and Operations to meet deadlines.
• Analyze supplier options, costs, MOQs, lead times, and logistics for profitability.
• Maintain accurate product data across systems for sourced items.

Skills

Merchandising experience

Procurement

Product development

Supply chain

Apparel knowledge

Communication (written/oral)

Negotiation

Technical skills

Detail oriented

Travel up to 10%

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

MS Office

ERP systems

Job description

Workwear Outfitters has a strong legacy of building innovative and authentic market-right products and is a leading supplier of work apparel and footwear for diverse occupations in industries such as automotive, manufacturing, oil and gas, utilities, government, food services, telecommunications, hospitality and many more. Workwear Outfitters is based in Nashville, Tennessee and we employ more than 5,800 people in facilities spanning the globe. The Workwear Outfitters family includes trusted brands such as Red Kap®, Bulwark®, Image Authority®, Kodiak®, Terra®, Liberty®, Work Authority®, Workrite® Fire Service, Chef Designs®, Horace Small®, Criticore®, and OOBE®. The company is also the exclusive licensee for Dickies® apparel in the B2B channel. Our Purpose: We champion and empower workers who make our world work better.

What You Will Do as a Commercial Product Developer:

This position evaluates detailed product requirements as outlined by customers, sources, costs, and develops potential commercially available options which meet specific criteria. Builds and maintains relationships with key suppliers across various markets and develops a deep knowledge of their product offering. Ensures efficient, timely communication with internal stakeholders and oversees and facilitates product transition from concept to commercialization in the product lifecycle.

How You Will Make a Difference:

Drives all aspects of the commercial product development process for assigned accounts, facilitates detailed communication between commercial suppliers, Merchandising, Program Management, and Operations to ensure timely development of products which meet customers’ product and service requirements under strict deadlines, including in support of RFIs, RFPs, etc. Provides analysis and input in the development phase, comparing supplier options, costs, and logistical considerations to ensure profitability, operational efficiency and excellent service. Maintains and develops a wide commercial supplier base, displaying a thorough understanding of suppliers’ unique capabilities and points of differentiation, and acts as the subject matter expert on commercially available products to the organization. Manages communication with commercial suppliers about maintaining designated quality metrics and facilitates supplier corrective action in response to product quality issues where required to ensure product integrity. In conjunction with the Product Development Manager, gathers, evaluates, and negotiates variables such as pricing, cost scenarios, MOQs, lead times, country of origin, and specific logistics concerns in support of the product development process. Maintains accuracy of product level data across systems for commercially sourced items.

Skills for Success:

• Bachelor's degree is required 3-5 years of related experience preferred
• Previous experience in merchandising, procurement, product development and/or degree in supply chain
• Previous experience in apparel a plus
• Excellent communication skills (writing/oral)
• Strong ability to negotiate terms in a variety of circumstances
• Strong technical skills, computer skills, and overall business acumen
• Detailed oriented, able to multitask and meet deadlines
• Ability to travel up to 10%

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life and disability coverage
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• And many additional employee benefits

Workwear Outfitters has a strong legacy of building innovative and authentic market-right products and is a leading supplier of work apparel and footwear for diverse occupations in industries such as automotive, manufacturing, oil and gas, utilities, government, food services, telecommunications, hospitality and many more. Workwear Outfitters is based in Nashville, Tennessee with more than 5,800 employees in facilities spanning the globe. Brands under the Workwear Outfitters umbrella include Red Kap®, Bulwark®, Image Authority®, Kodiak®, Terra®, Walls®, Liberty ®, Work Authority®, Workrite® Fire Service, Chef Designs®, Horace Small®, CritiCore®, and OOBE®. Workwear Outfitters is also the exclusive licensee for Dickies® apparel in the B2B channel. Our Purpose: “We champion and empower workers who make our world work better”