Product Developer - Softgoods

Speedo; Long Beach (CA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Medical and healthcare support

Product discounts

Job summary

Speedo, part of Pentland Brands, is seeking a Product Developer to guide softgoods from concept through commercialization. You will work closely with design, sourcing, and suppliers to optimize materials, construction, fit, and cost while meeting delivery timelines.

The role emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, PLM data integrity, and proactive risk management to ensure high-quality, commercially viable products for global markets.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in apparel or softgoods product development in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience partnering with overseas manufacturing facilities throughout the development lifecycle.
• Experience with swimwear, activewear, lifestyle apparel, or related softgoods categories.
• Strong knowledge of the product development lifecycle, including materials, trims, and costing.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end product development from concept to commercialization, ensuring quality, cost, and timelines.
• Collaborate with Design, Materials, Supply Chain, Quality, and manufacturers to drive execution.
• Maintain PLM data, BOMs, specs, and development documentation.
• Manage approvals for fabrics, trims, colors, prints, and labels for seasonal launches.
• Develop and track key milestones aligned with GTM calendar; manage risks.

Skills

Product development

Cross-functional collaboration

PLM

ERP

Excel

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

PLM systems

ERP systems

DeSL PLM

Excel

Job description

We’re Pentland Brands, the people behind some of the world’s best-loved sports, outdoor and lifestyle brands.

Speedo is a part of the Pentland Brands Limited Family.

We are a global family business bringing some of the most loved active and footwear brands to millions of people around the world.

We own Speedo, Endura, Berghaus, Canterbury of New Zealand, Mitre, Ellesse and we’re the UK licensee for Kickers. Our products are available in over 190 countries and are sold either directly by Group companies or are represented by licensees and distributors.

All our brands have their own unique identities and every one of them is powered by Pentland. We have more than 1,200 employees worldwide and we’re always on the lookout for talented, enthusiastic people to help shape our future.

We celebrate differences and give everyone the freedom to innovate and develop, be it through creative working environments or learning opportunities. Our brands are there in the moments that matter - being there for more people, in more of those moments, drives everything we do.

At Pentland, we’re guided by four principles, we use these to make sure we’re not only doing a great job, but we’re doing it in the right way:

• Success is a team game
• With clarity and courage
• Better as standard

We believe in building brands for the world to love, generation after generation. Your potential is our potential and together we can build and grow brands that last.

Key Purpose:

The Product Developer is responsible for leading the end-to-end development of softgoods products, transforming design concepts into high-quality, commercially viable products that meet customer expectations, brand standards, cost targets, and delivery timelines. This role collaborates closely with design, sourcing, suppliers, and cross-functional teams to optimize materials, construction, fit, quality, and manufacturability while driving continuous improvement throughout the product development process.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead the end-to-end product development process from concept through commercialization, ensuring products achieve quality, cost, performance, and timeline objectives.
• Partner cross-functionally with Design, Raw Materials, Supply Chain, Quality, and international manufacturing partners to drive seamless communication and execution throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Main product data within the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system, ensuring accurate Bills of Materials (BOMs), specifications, and development documentation.
• Manage the approval process for fabrics, trims, colors, prints, labels, and other product components to support on-time seasonal launches.
• Develop, monitor, and execute key product development milestones in alignment with the Go-to-Market (GTM) calendar, proactively managing timelines and deliverables.
• Identify development risks early, communicate potential issues to stakeholders, and implement effective solutions to minimize impact on cost, quality, and delivery.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with domestic, nearshore, and overseas suppliers, providing ongoing development support and ensuring timely execution of product requirements.
• Evaluate technical, commercial, and operational information from multiple stakeholders to support sound decision-making and successful product execution.
• Support Supply Chain performance initiatives by contributing to KPI tracking, operational reporting, and cross-functional continuous improvement efforts.
• Manage multiple product development projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, demonstrating strong organizational skills, adaptability, and meticulous attention to detail.
• Continuously identify opportunities to improve product development processes, enhance cross-functional collaboration, and increase operational efficiency.

Qualifications & Expiriences:

• 5+ years of progressive experience in apparel or softgoods product development within a fast-paced, end-to-end product development environment.
• Bachelor's degree in Product Development, Fashion Merchandising, Apparel Design, Supply Chain, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience partnering with overseas manufacturing facilities throughout the development lifecycle; experience with domestic and/or nearshore production is a plus.
• Experience developing products within swimwear, activewear, lifestyle apparel, or related softgoods categories.
• Strong knowledge of the product development lifecycle, including raw materials, trims, garment construction, fit, costing, testing, and commercialization.
• Proven ability to manage multiple development projects simultaneously while consistently meeting deadlines in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with the ability to build productive relationships across Design, Merchandising, Sourcing, Supply Chain, Quality, and global manufacturing partners.
• Experience using Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems; experience with DeSL PLM is preferred.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with advanced Excel skills for data analysis, reporting, and product tracking.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present information clearly and influence stakeholders across all levels of the organization.
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to prioritize competing demands.

Why Speedo?

Speedo is one of the world’s most iconic swimwear brands, built on a heritage of innovation, performance and a lifelong love of swimming.

From elite competition to everyday fitness, leisure and learning, Speedo creates product for every type of swimmer. It is a brand trusted in the water because it understands what matters: fit, movement, comfort, durability, confidence and performance.

Joining Speedo means becoming part of a team that cares deeply about helping people feel at home in the water, whether they are chasing a personal best, building confidence, training regularly or discovering the joy of swimming for the first time.

We offer a competitive salary, discretionary bonus, hybrid working, flexible start and finish times, generous paid time off, product discounts, sample sales, medical and healthcare support plus additional benefits designed to support you at work and beyond.

You can find full details of our benefits and perks on our US Benefits page.

Pentland Brands and Speedo are equal opportunity employers and considers all applicants for employment on the basis of their individual capabilities and qualifications, consistent with applicable law and without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, creed, national origin, citizenship status, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military status or any other characteristic protected under federal, state or local law. In addition to complying with all applicable laws, we have a strong corporate commitment to inclusion, diversity and to ensuring that all current and future associates are compensated solely on job-related factors such as skill, ability, educational background, work quality, experience and potential. To achieve these goals, applicants are asked not to disclose salary history information.