Product Development Assistant

Swimwear Anywhere Inc.; Village of Farmingdale (NY); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Product Development Assistant at Swimwear Anywhere Inc. supports the development and execution of products across brands, coordinating development processes, tracking fabrics, trims, samples and approvals, and aiding vendor communication to meet deadlines.

Working directly with the Director of Product Development and the Fabric & Trim Sourcing Manager, this role requires organization, detail-orientation, and a proactive attitude to grow within the apparel industry.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion, Merchandising, Product Development, Business, or related field.
• 1–3 years in product development, management, merchandising, sourcing, or apparel/fashion.
• Strong interest in apparel, swimwear, fashion, and the product lifecycle.
• Extremely organized with strong attention to detail and follow-through.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, samples, priorities, and deadlines.
• Comfortable working with Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with PLM or other product development systems is a plus.
• Knowledge of garment construction, fabrics, trims, costing, and apparel manufacturing is a plus.
• Ability to communicate effectively with cross-functional teams, vendors, factories, and overseas partners.
• Proactive, collaborative, and solutions-oriented approach.

Responsibilities

• Support the Director of Product Development and Fabric & Trim Sourcing Manager in managing assigned product development and sourcing process from initial concept through production.
• Maintain and monitor seasonal product development calendars, T&A timelines, milestones, and key deadlines.
• Track assigned fabrics, trims, styles, samples, approvals, and any developments to ensure projects remain on schedule.
• Assist with maintaining and organizing fabric and trim tracking, WIP reports, product trackers, and other development resources.
• Communicate with overseas factories, vendors, suppliers, and agents regarding fabrics, trims, samples, materials, specifications, approvals, timelines, and development needs.
• Assist with coordinating fabric, trim, color, and component development for assigned products.
• Assist with reviewing product samples and development materials against approved designs and product requirements.
• Coordinate the receipt, organization, and tracking of fabric swatches, submissions, lab dips, strike-offs, and other materials.
• Assist with documenting product comments, revisions, and approval status.
• Assist with gathering and maintaining fabric and trim costing, minimums, and other product-related information.
• Communicate with fabric mills, vendors, agents, and overseas partners regarding samples, materials, pricing, availability, lead times, approvals, and deadlines.
• Maintain and organize physical and digital records of fabric, trim, samples, product specifications, approvals, costing, and development history.
• Work closely with Design, Product Development, Fabric Sourcing, Production, and other internal teams to communicate product status and development needs.
• Develop an understanding of product development, garment construction, fabrics, trims, costing, production processes, and the overall product lifecycle.
• Assist the Director of Product Development and Fabric & Trim Sourcing Manager with special projects and other duties as assigned.

Skills

Organizational skills

Strong communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Detail-oriented

Problem-solving

Multi-project management

Excel proficiency

Garment construction knowledge

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fashion/related field

Tools

PLM

Job description

The Product Development Assistant supports the development and execution of products for Swimwear Anywhere's brands. This position is responsible for coordinating assigned product development processes, maintaining accurate product information, tracking fabric, trims, samples and approvals, supporting vendor communication, and helping ensure that product development process meets company deadlines.

The Product Development Assistant will work directly with the Director of Product Development and Fabric & Trim Sourcing Manager. The role requires working closely with Design and Art Directors on seasonal collections.

This role is ideal for someone who is highly organized, detail-oriented, proactive, a self-starter, and interested in building their knowledge and career in product development and the apparel industry.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the Director of Product Development and Fabric & Trim Sourcing Manager in managing assigned product development and sourcing process from initial concept through production.
• Maintain and monitor seasonal product development calendars, T&A timelines, milestones, and key deadlines.
• Track assigned fabrics, trims, styles, samples, approvals, and any developments to ensure projects remain on schedule.
• Assist with maintaining and organizing fabric and trim tracking, WIP reports, product trackers, and other development resources in spreadsheets and applicable systems to maintain up-to-date development status
• Communicate with overseas factories, vendors, suppliers, and agents regarding fabrics, trims, samples, materials, specifications, approvals, timelines, and development needs as directed by the Director of Product Development and Fabric & Trim Sourcing Manager.
• Assist with coordinating fabric, trim, color, and component development for assigned products.
• Assist with reviewing product samples and development materials against approved designs and product requirements.
• Coordinate the receipt, organization, and tracking of fabric swatches, submissions, lab dips, strike-offs, and other materials.
• Assist with documenting product comments, revisions, and approval status.
• Assist with gathering and maintaining fabric and trim costing, minimums, and other product-related information.
• Communicate with fabric mills, vendors, agents, and overseas partners regarding samples, materials, pricing, availability, lead times, approvals, and deadlines
• Maintain and organize physical and digital records of fabric, trim, samples, product specifications, approvals, costing, and development history.
• Work closely with Design, Product Development, Fabric Sourcing, Production, and other internal teams to communicate product status and development needs.
• Develop an understanding of product development, garment construction, fabrics, trims, costing, production processes, and the overall product lifecycle.
• Assist the Director of Product Development and Fabric & Trim Sourcing Manager with special projects and other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion, Merchandising, Product Development, Business, or a related field preferred.
• 1–3 years of experience in product development, product management, merchandising, sourcing, textiles, or a related apparel/fashion field.
• Strong interest in apparel, swimwear, fashion, product development, and the overall product lifecycle.
• Extremely organized with strong attention to detail and follow-through.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, samples, priorities, and deadlines.
• Comfortable working with Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with PLM or other product development systems is a plus.
• Knowledge of garment construction, fabrics, trims, costing, and apparel manufacturing is a plus.
• Ability to communicate effectively with cross-functional teams, vendors, factories, and overseas partners.
• Proactive, collaborative, and solutions-oriented approach.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Willingness to learn and take on increased responsibility within the product management function.