Product Developer – Lee

Kontoor Brands, Inc.; Revolution (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounts on apparel

Paid parental leave

Flexible Fridays

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Kontoor Brands is seeking a Product Developer to serve as the key liaison between the Brand and Supply Chain, ensuring on-time execution, cost targets, and alignment with Design aesthetics. The role focuses on denim finishes and efficient development processes, with responsibilities spanning sample review, fabric collaboration, and calendar-driven approvals.

The ideal candidate will bring apparel product development expertise, strong analytical skills, and ability to manage multiple tasks in a

Qualifications

• Experience in apparel product development/sourcing/manufacturing.
• Deep knowledge of Denim and Denim finishes.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams in medium-large companies.
• Proficient with MS Office (Teams, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, Word, Smartsheet).

Responsibilities

• Work with tech team to review samples and guide quality and cost.
• Partner with fabric team on development and garment styling assignment.
• Organize all sample orders to meet calendar deadlines.
• Ensure development and sampling activities are tracked and delivered on time for briefs and approvals.
• Evaluate and submit on-time, accurate development costing aligned with margins.

Skills

Product development

Denim expertise

Cross-functional collaboration

MS Office

Time management

Communication

Analytical skills

Education

University degree

Technical textiles education

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Who We Are

Kontoor Brands is a portfolio of three of the world’s most iconic lifestyle, outdoor and workwear brands: Wrangler®, Lee® and Helly Hansen®. Kontoor Brands is a purpose‑led organization focused on leveraging its global platform, strategic sourcing model and best‑in‑class supply chain to drive brand growth and deliver long‑term value for its stakeholders.

Product Developer

The Product Developer assists as the key liaison/administrator between the Brand and Supply chain to guarantee best‑in‑class quality, on‑time execution of the product line and meeting margin goals. This Product Developer owns managing an efficient & effective product development process in overseeing sampling accuracy in information flow, achieving preliminary cost margin targets and on‑time calendar management through final pre‑production approvals to deliver product execution true to Design’s aesthetic intent.

Responsibilities

• Work with tech team to review samples and assist in guiding best quality, cost viable styles.
• Partner with fabric team on development as it relates to proper assignment for garment styling.
• Organize all sample order requests to suppliers to meet calendar due dates.
• Ensure all development and product sampling activities are tracked and delivered on‑time for briefs, protos, salesman, pre‑production size sets approvals to final manufacturing‑ready product.
• Evaluate and submit on‑time, accurate development product costing in adherence to critical calendar milestones and margin goals.
• Analyze costs to margin expectations and identify/provide viable cost saving opportunities.
• Partner closely with Design on seasonal line development to ensure alignment throughout the development process executing to product aesthetic and intent.
• Focus on denim and denim finishes including wash development.
• Manage efficient, streamlined workflow processes and working tools for optimal execution accuracy, shortening lead times, lower minimums and costs.
• Operate and support current and future new business system management.
• Standardize and institute best practices where possible.
• Collaborate with fabric and design teams in researching of new product innovation and trend ideas.

Requirements

• Apparel product development/sourcing/manufacturing work experience
• In‑depth apparel industry knowledge particularly in Denim and Denim finishing
• Experience working in medium‑large companies interacting with cross‑functional teams
• High proficiency with MS Office applications (Teams, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, Word, Smartsheet)
• Efficient time management in multi‑tasking priorities and meeting calendar deadlines
• Excellent verbal/written/interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work with cross‑functional teams.
• Result‑driven and service‑oriented team player
• Strong analytical skills and attention to details
• University degree or equivalent

Preferred experience

Technical college textile related field preferred

Leadership Competencies Expected for this Role

• Emerging Leader Global Agility – Open to diverse views, adapts to new ways of working
• Purposeful Integrity – Demonstrates ethical behavior, follows through on commitments
• Strategic Foresight – Understands team goals, asks strategic questions
• Customer Centric Innovation – Suggests improvements from customer feedback, tries new methods
• Urgency for Impact – Act quickly and take ownership of outcomes
• Bold Accountability – Own your work and deliver consistently strong results
• Empowered Collaboration – Share ideas, listens well, collaborates with peers

Benefits

• We offer resources to support your physical, emotional, social, and financial wellbeing, plus benefits like discounts on our apparel.
• Kontoor Brands also provides four weeks of Paid Parental Leave to eligible employees who are new parents, Flexible Fridays, and Tuition Reimbursement.

About Kontoor Brands

Kontoor Brands is a lifestyle apparel company with a strong established global footprint. We operate in more than 50 countries, with corporate offices in the United States, Europe and Asia, as well as internal manufacturing facilities located in the Western Hemisphere.

This is an exciting time to be a part of Kontoor Brands globally, as we are focused on leveraging our global platform to drive brand growth and are committed to further geographic expansion.

Diversity Vision Statement

Kontoor Brands is committed to creating an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the differences among all of our associates, customers, suppliers and the communities in which we live and conduct business.

The continued success and growth of Kontoor Brands is enhanced through initiatives that promote diversity throughout Kontoor Brands around the world. Kontoor Brands is an equal employment opportunity/ affirmative action employer of minorities, females, protected veterans and the disabled. Kontoor Brands is committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, and treating our Kontoor Brands associates and Kontoor Brands applicants without discrimination on the basis of their race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, HIV/AIDS status, or any other legally protected factor.

If you have any questions about an open position at Kontoor, please contact us at [e-mail]