Product Development Associate, Accessories

Rag & Bone; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Clothing Allowance

Generous Employee Discount

Paid Parental Leave

Membership to Calm and wellness benefits

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401k

Job summary

Rag & Bone is looking for a skilled Product Development Associate to join their Accessories team in New York. This position is crucial for managing all product and sourcing functions from initial development to production, ensuring accuracy and quality throughout the process.

The ideal candidate has a minimum of 3 years of experience in Product Development, excels in a fast-paced environment, and possesses strong communication skills. Benefits include paid time off, a clothing allowance, and a target salary of $60,000-$65,000.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience in Product Development, preferably in Soft Accessories or Leathergoods.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and follow-up skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily WIP files for prototypes, material trials, and approvals.
• Lead sourcing of raw materials from suppliers.
• Code all sample and material invoices for payment.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Ability to manage priorities

Proactive problem-solving

Job description

Job Summary

rag & bone is seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Product Development Associate to join our Accessories team. In this role, you will be instrumental in bringing our design team's concepts to life, serving as a key connector between creative vision and factory execution. You will manage all product and sourcing functions from initial development through production, collaborating daily with Design, Merchandising, and Production to ensure accuracy, quality, and on-time delivery across every stage.

Responsibilities

Sample Development

• Maintain and manage daily WIP files for prototypes, material trials and approvals, and SMS
• Own spec management from SMS through production, ensuring all information is accurate and up to date at all times
• Troubleshoot technical issues with factories and provide timely, solution-oriented feedback
• Monitor SKU counts by category and update across each sample round
• Attend cross-functional meetings to ensure product changes are communicated and addressed promptly
• Track samples and proactively communicate delivery status to cross-functional teams
• Flag product concerns to Merchandising and Design during development and production stages
• Manage Seasonal Product Knowledge for Market Wedge and E-commerce

Material Development

• Lead the development and sourcing of all raw materials through nominated and factory sourced suppliers — including leather, textiles, and trims — from initial development through production
• Manage seasonal color standards and approvals from proto through production
• Prepare and distribute all color masters to factories and suppliers
• Coordinate materials for trials and prototypes as needed
• Compile all MDS and costing information from suppliers and relay to factories in a timely manner
• Counter-source materials that fall outside price or MOQ targets
• Evaluate suppliers based on specialty, cost, quality, and lead times; conduct regular cost exercises

Invoicing

• Code all sample and material invoices and ensure timely submission and payment

Requirements

• Minimum 3 years of experience in Product Development, with a focus on Soft Accessories or Leathergoods
• Highly organized with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities and meet tight deadlines
• Strong communication and follow-up skills
• Self-motivated and solutions-driven, with a proactive approach to new and complex challenges

Benefits

• Paid Time Off
• Clothing Allowance
• Generous Employee Discount
• Paid Parental Leave
• Membership to Calm and access to other wellness benefits
• Medical, dental, vision and ancillary benefits
• 401k

Salary

The target salary for this role is between $60,000 and $65,000 based on candidates' experience and expectations.

Equal Employment Opportunity

rag & bone is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer. No employee or applicant is discriminated against because of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

Accommodation and Physical Demands

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.