Product Developer, Mitchell & Ness
Fanatics
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Job summary
Fanatics Irvine is seeking a Printables Product Developer to drive domestic printed goods from blank goods sourcing to production-ready status, coordinating with Design, Production and U.S.-based print vendors. You will partner with Product Line Managers to analyze progress, evaluate blank goods and print costs, and push timelines with a data-driven approach.
You will apply AI-enabled insights and collaborate across teams to ensure quality, cost efficiency, and timely delivery of fan‑ready
Qualifications
- 3–7 years of domestic printed product development experience.
- Knowledge of US printing methods: screen, digital, sublimation.
- Strong vendor relationships with US blank goods suppliers and print vendors.
Responsibilities
- Lead cross-functional teams across design, production, and vendors to deliver production‑ready goods.
- Monitor development progress and ensure on‑time production milestones.
- Apply data‑driven insights to improve cost, quality, and speed.
Skills
Education
Tools
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.
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.
Success is measured by the ability to deliver results through BOLD capabilities and measurable outcomes.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
Bachelor\'s degree in Fashion Design, Merchandising, or other Product Development-related field.
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/
$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.
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.
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.
- Build Championship Teams
- Obsessed with Fans
- Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit
- Determined and Relentless Mindset
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