Product Development Associate

Fourth Floor; New York (NY); On-site; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Fourth Floor in NYC is seeking a Product Development Associate to collaborate with Product Development, Production, Design, and Merchandising teams throughout the product lifecycle. You will review tech packs, support sample development, and manage costing to meet margin targets.

The role requires strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills, with a focus on meeting timelines and maintaining quality standards across vendor partnerships.

Qualifications

• Familiarity with fabrics, trims, garment construction, and production processes.
• Understanding of costing, negotiations, testing, quality standards, and production timelines.
• Strong communication, organization, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; knowledge of Adobe Illustrator is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Product Development, Production, Design, and Merchandising teams through the product lifecycle.
• Review tech packs and prototype needs to support sample development.
• Coordinate sourcing, lab dips, strike-offs, and artwork approvals to meet timelines.
• Manage costing from initial estimates through final approval while supporting margins and IMU targets.
• Track development and production timelines and address risks to ensure on-time delivery.
• Support fittings, testing, and quality reviews to maintain product standards.

Skills

Fabric knowledge

Costing & negotiations

Production timelines

Communication

Analytical thinking

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Illustrator

Job description

Our client, a fast growing Apparel Company, is looking for a Product Development Associate to join their team in NYC!

Responsibilities

• Partner with Product Development, Production, Design, and Merchandising teams throughout the product lifecycle.
• Review tech packs and prototype needs to support accurate sample development.
• Conduct preliminary costing and identify material alternatives to meet target costs and margins.
• Coordinate sourcing, sample tracking, lab dips, strike-offs, and artwork approvals.
• Communicate development comments and updates to suppliers, factories, and internal teams.
• Manage costing from initial estimates through final approval while supporting IMU targets.
• Track development and production timelines, identify risks, and resolve issues to ensure on-time delivery.
• Participate in fittings, testing, WIP meetings, and quality reviews to maintain product standards.
• Partner with suppliers and QC teams to address quality concerns and ensure products meet company requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve lead times, efficiency, and overall product execution.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of fabrics, trims, garment construction, and production processes.
• Understanding of costing, negotiations, testing, quality standards, and production timelines.
• Strong communication, organization, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; Adobe Illustrator is a plus.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain strong attention to detail.
• Collaborative, proactive, and solutions-oriented approach.

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