Product Developer, Mitchell & Ness

Fanatics Collectibles; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 81,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

Fanatics Commerce, based in Irvine, California, is seeking a Printables Product Developer to lead domestic printed goods development from blank goods sourcing to production readiness. You will coordinate with Design, Production, and U.S.-based print vendors to ensure timely approvals and cost-effective production across styles.

You will analyze development progress, evaluate blank goods and print costing, and propose corrective actions when timelines slip.

Qualifications

• 3–7 years of related experience in U.S. domestic printed product development or blank goods sourcing.
• Technical knowledge of U.S. domestic printing methods (screen print, digital, sublimation), and fabric development.
• Established relationships with domestic blank goods suppliers and U.S.-based print vendors; cost-saving awareness.
• Proficient in PLM systems, databases, and MS Office; experience with Photoshop/Illustrator preferred.
• Strong detail orientation with the ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills; collaborative team player.
• Willingness to travel for vendor meetings and partner events.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain partnerships with Design, Production, and internal teams; translate design vision into scalable products.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure timely approvals, factory allocation, and issue resolution.
• Support SOP documentation, validation, and training for partners.

Skills

Printing methods knowledge

Sourcing & vendor management

Data analysis & KPI tracking

Cross-functional collaboration

Attention to detail

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design or Merchandising

Tools

PLM systems

MS Office

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Job description

Fanatics Commerce is the global leader in licensed sports merchandise, operating a vertically integrated platform that designs, manufactures, and delivers officially licensed apparel, jerseys, headwear, and collectibles for major leagues, teams, and events worldwide. With more than 900 e-commerce sites and a global omnichannel presence across digital, in-venue, and retail, Fanatics Commerce reaches fans in over 180 countries and powers official fan experiences for many of the world’s most iconic sports properties.

At Fanatics, we bring our BOLD Leadership Principles to life every day - building championship teams, obsessing over fans, acting with entrepreneurial speed, and delivering with a determined and relentless mindset.

As we continue to scale our global platform, the Printables Product Developer will play a critical role in driving domestic printed goods development from blank goods sourcing through bulk production-ready status.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Printables Product Developer is responsible for executing the business through the entire domestic printed goods development process, coordinating with Design, Production, and U.S.-based print vendors and factories to oversee development, approvals, and production-ready status across all styles within the designated product line. This role partners closely with Product Line Managers to analyze development progress, evaluate blank goods and print costing, and recommend corrective action plans when timelines are at risk. The Printables Product Developer delivers business and fan impact through BOLD leadership and execution excellence, leveraging data, automation, and AI-enabled insights.

HOW WILL YOU DRIVE IMPACT

Success is measured by the ability to deliver results through BOLD capabilities and measurable outcomes.

Team & Leadership Impact

• Build and maintain a close working partnership with Design, serving as the knowledge partner for technical feasibility, attending presentations and meetings, and translating design vision into products that meet margin requirements.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Production, Product Line Managers, and internal partners to ensure timely approvals, factory allocation, and resolution of quality or development risks.
• Support SOP documentation, distribution, and training for internal and external partners, including serving as a subject matter expert in cross-functional SOP validation.

Fan & Customer Impact

• Ensure all printed goods development adheres to global product standards, delivering consistent quality and accuracy in every style across the designated product line.
• Prepare pre-production licensing samples for approval on time, auditing each against the approved tech pack to uphold the integrity of the product reaching fans.
• Monitor pre-development, proto, and SMS sample deliveries to confirm factories are hitting calendar milestones, safeguarding the on-time availability of fan-ready product.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to follow up on development testing and resolve potential quality issues through a Risk Assessment covering the full design, development, and commercialization process.

Innovation & Problem Solving

• Source and vet domestic blank apparel and goods, evaluating quality, pricing, minimums, and lead times to identify optimal partners and uncover cost-saving opportunities for print programs.
• Apply strong working knowledge of U.S.-based printing methods — screen print, digital, sublimation, and embellishment — to guide vendor selection and production decisions.
• Identify opportunities within the development and production process to increase speed, efficiency, and quality, partnering with the Director of Product Development to implement improvements.
• Identify downstream impacts of changes that delay deliverables and provide solution-oriented support to cross-functional partners.

Ownership & Execution

• Execute against the Product Development Calendar with strict adherence, prioritizing the flow of materials, art, and tech packs to keep the entire development pipeline on track.
• Manage all product data inputs across Tracker, PLM, and Box, maintaining accurate and up-to-date records, tracking, and in/out parcel coordination as part of daily operations.
• Compile weekly metrics and analysis to support Product Development KPIs, informing leadership on progress and surfacing risks early.
• Support preparation for seasonal key milestone meetings — including Design Handoff, Proto/Costing Review, and Go-To-Market Alignment — ensuring all necessary inputs and tools are on hand.

AI & DIGITAL CAPABILITY

We are building a future-ready organization. This role is expected to:

• Apply AI and technology to improve efficiency, quality, and outcomes
• Use data and digital tools to inform decisions and enhance performance
• Demonstrate curiosity and adaptability in adopting new technologies and ways of working
• Contribute to a culture of innovation and continuous improvement

CAPABILITIES & EXPERIENCE YOU BRING

Required Qualifications:

• 3–7 years of related experience in U.S. domestic printed product development, print production, or blank goods sourcing.
• Technical knowledge of U.S. domestic printing methods (screen print, digital, sublimation), blank goods, fabric, trim, construction, embellishment, and product engineering.
• Established relationships with, or working knowledge of, domestic blank goods suppliers and U.S.-based print vendors, along with a strong understanding of costing structures and the ability to identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Proficiency in product lifecycle management (PLM) systems, databases, and MS Office applications; experience in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator preferred.
• Exceptional attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, demonstrating a strong sense of urgency and accuracy.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills with a collaborative, team-oriented attitude.
• Willingness and ability to travel to vendor partners and for quarterly partner meetings, events, and related activities as needed.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Merchandising, or other Product Development-related field.

WORK LOCATION

Hybrid: The primary place of performance of this role is the Company’s office located in Irvine, California , subject to the Company’s current hybrid work policy. This role currently requires in-office presence Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.

The salary range represents base pay only and does not include short-term or long-term incentive compensation. When determining base pay as part of a final compensation package, we consider several factors such as location, experience, qualifications, and training. For information about our benefits, please visit https://benefitsatfanatics.com./

Salary Range

$80,500—$97,750 USD

At Fanatics, we operate with a BOLD mindset - We Build Championship Teams, we’re Obsessed with Fans, we embrace a Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit, and we approach every challenge with a Determined and Relentless Mindset. If you’re ready to contribute to a dynamic, fast-paced environment that thrives on collaboration and growth, we want you to be part of our team.

ABOUT US

Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform. We ignite the passions of global sports fans and maximize the presence and reach for our hundreds of sports partners globally by offering products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports fans to Buy, Collect, and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform, sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million global sports fans; a global partner network with approximately 900 sports properties, including major national and international professional sports leagues, players associations, teams, colleges, college conferences and retail partners, 2,500 athletes and celebrities, and 200 exclusive athletes; and over 2,000 retail locations, including its Lids retail stores. Our more than 22,000 employees are committed to relentlessly enhancing the fan experience and delighting sports fans globally.

ABOUT THE TEAM

Fanatics Commerce is a leading designer, manufacturer, and seller of licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods. It operates a vertically-integrated platform of digital and physical capabilities for leading sports leagues, teams, colleges, and associations globally – as well as its flagship site, www.fanatics.com.

Fanatics Commerce has a broad range of online, sports venue, and vertical apparel partnerships worldwide, including comprehensive partnerships with leading leagues, teams, colleges, and sports organizations across the world—including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, Formula 1, and Australian Football League (AFL); the Dallas Cowboys, Golden State Warriors, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea FC, and Tokyo Giants; the University of Notre Dame, University of Alabama, and University of Texas; the International Olympic Committee (IOC), England Rugby, and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).

At Fanatics Commerce, we infuse our BOLD Leadership Principles in everything we do:

• Build Championship Teams
• Obsessed with Fans
• Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit
• Determined and Relentless Mindset