Director, Product Development - Apparel

YETI Coolers; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

YETI is seeking a Director of Product Development, Apparel to lead end-to-end development across performance and lifestyle apparel categories. You will partner with Product Management, Design, Sourcing, Technical Design, Quality, and manufacturing to deliver premium, brand-right garments from concept through production.

With 12+ years in apparel product development and deep expertise in garment construction, fit, and materials, you will drive scalable processes, manage calendars, and optimize

Qualifications

• 12+ years of apparel product development experience across performance, outdoor, active, lifestyle, and/or branded apparel categories.
• Bachelor's degree in Apparel Development, Fashion Design, Textile Science, Product Creation, or a related field required; Master's degree preferred.
• Strong understanding of fabrics, trims, wash techniques, embellishments, garment performance attributes, and commercialization requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to manage global factory, mill, and supplier relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end product development across YETI's branded and performance apparel categories, ensuring products meet high standards for quality, fit, durability, performance, manufacturability, and commercial viability
• Build and continuously improve scalable apparel development processes, tools, operating rhythms, and organizational capabilities to support the long-term growth of the apparel business
• Partner cross-functionally with Product Management, Design, Sourcing, PS&C, Quality, and manufacturing partners to bring seasonal product concepts to market
• Own the apparel development calendar across multiple seasons and categories, managing key milestones, decision points, risks, and commercialization readiness from concept through production approval
• Oversee technical product documentation and sample-stage execution, including tech packs, specifications, graded measurements, BOMs, PLM data, prototypes, fit samples, wear testing, salesman samples, pre-production samples, and final production approval
• Lead decisions across materials, trims, packaging, construction, garment engineering, fit standards, and manufacturing methods to deliver premium, brand-right apparel
• Develop and manage strategic relationships with global factories, mills, trim suppliers, and manufacturing partners to drive innovation, quality, speed to market, cost optimization, and long-term capability building
• Champion material, construction, manufacturing, and process innovation that improves product performance, consumer value, operational efficiency, and margin while preserving product integrity
• Proactively identify and resolve development, quality, costing, manufacturing, supply chain, compliance, and commercialization risks before production approval

Skills

Apparel development

Leadership

Garment construction

Patternmaking

Fabric knowledge

Costing & margins

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

PLM tools

Education

Bachelor's degree in Apparel Development

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Centric PLM

Job description

At YETI, we believe that time spent outdoors matters more than ever and our gear can make that time extraordinary. When you work here, you'll have the opportunity to create exceptional, meaningful work and problem solve with innovative team members by your side. Together, you'll help our customers get the high-quality gear they need to make the most of their adventures. We are BUILT FOR THE WILD™.

About The Role

We're looking for a Director of Product Development, Apparel to help shape the future of YETI apparel. This role is designed for a highly experienced product development leader and subject matter expert who can build scalable processes and production-ready products that support the long-term success of the apparel function.

You’ll own product development across apparel categories, genders, and age groups, partnering closely with Product Management, Design, Sourcing, Technical Design, Quality, and manufacturing partners to bring premium apparel to market. This role is responsible for leading all aspects of product development across the YETI apparel portfolio, including material development, fit execution, construction, commercialization, vendor management, and production readiness from concept through production.This role requires strong judgment, deep product creation expertise, and the ability to solve complex and sometimes ambiguous product development challenges. You will influence cross-functional partners, provide technical and process leadership, and help ensure YETI apparel is purpose-built, brand-right, commercially viable, and built to last.

What You'll Do

• Lead end-to-end product development across YETI's branded and performance apparel categories, ensuring products meet high standards for quality, fit, durability, performance, manufacturability, and commercial viability
• Build and continuously improve scalable apparel development processes, tools, operating rhythms, and organizational capabilities to support the long-term growth of the apparel business
• Partner cross-functionally with Product Management, Design, Sourcing, PS&C, Quality, and manufacturing partners to bring seasonal product concepts to market
• Own the apparel development calendar across multiple seasons and categories, managing key milestones, decision points, risks, and commercialization readiness from concept through production approval
• Oversee technical product documentation and sample-stage execution, including tech packs, specifications, graded measurements, BOMs, PLM data, prototypes, fit samples, wear testing, salesman samples, pre-production samples, and final production approval
• Lead decisions across materials, trims, packaging, construction, garment engineering, fit standards, and manufacturing methods to deliver premium, brand-right apparel
• Develop and manage strategic relationships with global factories, mills, trim suppliers, and manufacturing partners to drive innovation, quality, speed to market, cost optimization, and long-term capability building
• Champion material, construction, manufacturing, and process innovation that improves product performance, consumer value, operational efficiency, and margin while preserving product integrity
• Proactively identify and resolve development, quality, costing, manufacturing, supply chain, compliance, and commercialization risks before production approval

What You Bring

• Preferred twelve plus years of apparel product development experience across performance, outdoor, active, lifestyle, and/or branded apparel categories
• Bachelor's degree in Apparel Development, Fashion Design, Textile Science, Product Creation, or a related field required; Master's degree preferred
• Preferred eight plus years management experience
• Deep expertise in garment construction, fit, grading, patternmaking, garment engineering, testing, and apparel manufacturing
• Extensive experience developing technical performance apparel, including outerwear, woven shirts, knit tops, fleece, and insulated products
• Strong understanding of fabrics, trims, wash techniques, embellishments, garment performance attributes, and commercialization requirements
• Proven experience managing global factory, mill, and supplier relationships
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex seasonal calendars, multiple categories, and cross-functional deliverables simultaneously
• Experience owning commercialization readiness and guiding products through all development and production approval stages
• Strong financial acumen with experience partnering on product costing, margin targets, and cost engineering initiatives
• Exceptional project management, communication, and cross-functional leadership skills
• Experience working within PLM systems and product development tools, especially Centric
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally to support product development, factory partnerships, and commercialization activities