Product Developer

SanMar Corp.; Issaquah (WA); Hybrid; USD 44,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401k with match

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Paid family leave

Pet insurance

Job summary

SanMar is seeking a Product Developer to guide the development process from concept to commercial product. You will approve fabrics and trims, manage color testing, costings, and compliance documents, and work with regional teams to keep projects on schedule.

The role requires deep knowledge of garment production, strong collaboration, and a proactive approach to meeting deadlines across cross-functional teams. Hybrid work in Issaquah, WA is supported with travel as needed.

Qualifications

• 6+ years in product development and production management.
• Understanding of the garment and textile manufacturing processes.
• Costing and garment construction knowledge.
• Basic understanding of international trade, duty & tariff, customs regulations and product safety.
• Ability to learn promotional industry and decoration viability.
• Collaborative, team-oriented mindset with initiative.

Responsibilities

• Drive development of fabrics, trims, and styles through prototype approval.
• Maintain technical product specifications (BOM, trims, labels, packaging, images).
• Collaborate with regions and managers to drive costing and margins.
• Manage lab-dip requests with Color and Merchandising teams for timely submissions.
• Execute testing requirements with PI and Decorator Relations teams.
• Maintain tested materials, samples and track testing reports.
• Monitor product creation calendar across cross-functional team.
• Provide costing comparisons on developments to Merchandising.
• Review Pre-Production/Top of Production samples with Tech Design partners.
• Oversee photo shoots and salesman samples process each season.
• Ensure compliance/safety requirements in the development cycle.
• Resolve production and delivery issues; support process improvements.
• Maintain fabric swatch libraries and sample racks.
• Proofread marketing materials for accuracy.
• Manage resourcing and change logs for current products.
• Travel domestically and/or internationally may be required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Comply with policies and standards.

Skills

Garment manufacturing

Textile processes

Costing knowledge

Trade compliance

Collaboration

Self-management

Teamwork

Decision making

Development calendar

Task prioritization

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Education

Equivalent education

Job description

At SanMar, the work you do makes a difference.

What's the Short Version?

The Product Developer supports the development process from the initial concept to the commercialized product, and is responsible for fabric/trim approvals, color, testing, sample reviews, costing, and compliance documents.

What Will You Be Doing?

• Support the product creation process through a complete cycle, driving development of fabric, trims, and styles to facilitate prototype approval during product development.
• Build and maintain the Product Development portion of technical product specifications (BOM, trims, labels, packaging, and associated technical images as needed).
• Partner with Regional Offices and Sr/PD Managers to drive costing quotes and help deliver product margin for new developments, resourcing, and cost improvements.
• Manage lab-dip requests to vendors, collaborating with Color and Merchandising team on timely Lab-Dip and Bulk Color submissions.
• Execute testing requirements on new and resourced development styles with the PI team & Decorator Relations team.
• Maintain all tested materials, samples, and track testing reports. Communicate results to suppliers, QA, Merchandisers.
• Monitor development deliverables of Product Creation Calendar across the cross-functional team.
• Manage ELC chart and maintain seasonal costing quotes with managers' guidance. Provide costing comparisons on developments to Merchandising.
• Review and comment on Pre-Production/Top of Production samples with Tech Design partners.
• Execute photo shoot and salesman samples process on a seasonal basis, ensuring complete review of quality and color.
• Manage Compliance/Classification/Safety requirements for products in the development cycle.
• Resolve production and delivery issues, supporting process improvement and on-time delivery.
• Maintain the fabric swatch library, top-of-production sample library, style files, and sample racks.
• Proofread marketing materials for accuracy of all content.
• Administer the resourcing process of current products and programs. Maintain change logs and product databases.
• Travel domestically and/or internationally may be required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Comply with all policies and standards.

What Are We Looking For?

• 6+ years in product development and production management, or equivalent education
• Understanding of the garment and textile manufacturing processes.
• Knowledgeable in component costing, including garment construction, raw material options, and landing factors
• Basic understanding of international trade agreements, duty & tariff, customs regulations, and product safety standards
• Ability to learn and understand promotional industry and decoration viability
• Embrace and value collaboration, teamwork, and collective ideation.
• Work cooperatively and enthusiastically to proactively achieve shared goals and self-manage while taking initiative.
• Collaborate with cross-functional team members and drive positive changes.
• Seek continuous improvement and build decision making capacities with direction from teammates and managers.
• Have a thorough understanding of development calendar to meet or exceed all deadlines
• Ability to prioritize tasks and workload effectively for workflow, especially during high-demand situations
• Embody accuracy, organization, and attention to detail, growing verbal, written, and visual communication skills

What's Our Offer?

Salary Range: You`ll earn between $32.56 - $38.46 on an hourly basis, depending on experience.

Bonus: You`ll be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus up to 10% of base salary.

Paid Time Off: You`ll accrue paid time off on a weekly basis based on hours worked up to 112 hours per year to start. Employees also receive 8 paid holidays and 1 paid family day off.

Additional Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
• 401k plan and matches $1 for $1 up to 4% of earnings, matched & vested at every pay cycle
• Life insurance
• Short/long-term disability coverage
• Paid maternity/paternity leave
• Pet insurance

What Should You Expect?

Hybrid: SanMar's Eastpointe office is located in Issaquah, WA in the Seattle metropolitan area. Employees are required to work in our offices Tuesday through Thursday each week and additional days may be added based on business needs. Our standard working hours are 8:00-5:00 PST. Periodic travel may be required. The employee is regularly required to sit for extended periods while working on a computer and participating in virtual and in-person meetings. Frequent use of hands for keyboarding and standard office equipment is required. Occasional standing, walking, and reaching may be needed to attend meetings or collaborate in an office setting. The role requires the ability to perform close visual work on a computer for extended periods. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 10-15 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Why Work at SanMar?

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. They bring their talent, passion and dedication to work with them every day. Their hard work inspires us and gives us purpose. We love working here together. Whether you work in our headquarters, from your home or in one of our distribution centers across North America, we believe that investing in you is just the right thing to do. Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support your health and well-being, life balance, career growth and (eventually) retirement. SanMar works with brands you already know, like Nike, The North Face and Brooks Brothers, as well as providing industry-leading private label apparel and accessories. Our people come to work excited to do their part, providing clothing that helps people feel that they're a part of something special. Here’s your chance to be a part of this story. If you're ready to work in a place where your participation matters and your growth is a priority, we're ready for you.

SanMar is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Whoever you are, wherever you're from, whoever you love or follow in faith, whatever your disability or superpower status, whichever ethnicity or gender you identify with, you are welcome at SanMar. SanMar participates in E-Verify.