Sr. Apparel Product Developer

Varsity Spirit; Farmers Branch (TX); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Varsity Spirit in Farmers Branch, TX, is seeking a Senior Apparel Product Developer to drive seasonal product development from concept through production readiness. You will work as the category expert with Merchandising, Sourcing, Planning, QA, and manufacturing partners to ensure timely, cost-effective launches.

The role oversees product lines, executes launches, and ensures quality while collaborating with design, engineering, and supply chain to deliver high-volume, cost-efficient products

Qualifications

• Experience leading apparel product development from concept to production.
• Deep knowledge of fabrics including circular, warp, woven.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, PLM, and AS400.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Merchandising and Category Management to define product vision.
• Serve as category expert and lead commercialization calendar.
• Guide prototypes through to production with internal and external teams.
• Partner with cost teams to optimize profitability and design.
• Coordinate technical packages (Tech Packs) with manufacturing partners.
• Monitor project timelines and ensure adherence to milestones.
• Support design-to-manufacture transitions and ensure quality standards.

Skills

Product development

Fabric knowledge

Merchandising alignment

Project management

Costing

Tools

MS Office

PLM

AS400

Job description

JOIN THE BEST TEAM IN SPORT & SPIRIT

At Varsity Brands, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed and every educator wants to make a difference. It takes a team to make a real impact, and through our two divisions - BSN SPORTS and Varsity Spirit - and our network of 6,000+ employees and independent representatives, we are proud to partner with a wide range of educational institutions and club and professional sports to transform the student journey in SPORT and SPIRIT.

WORK TYPE: Hybrid

LOCATION DETAILS: 14460 VARSITY BRANDS WAY, Farmers Branch, TX 75244

WORK HOURS: M-F, 8-5p / 9-6p (Friday WFH)

TRAVEL REQUIREMEN T: 20% International and domestic

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

The Senior Apparel Product Developer at Varsity Brands is responsible for successfully driving the development of seasonal products from concept through production readiness. You will be the expert for your category and will work with internal / external teams where you are the business driver for successful product launch. You will work extensively with Merchandising, Sourcing, Planning, Sampling, QA, and internal / external manufacturing partners.

The Senior Apparel Product Developer will manage product lines within Varsity Brands. They will manage and execute the effective implementation and distribution of new products for their organizations, drive and execute launch aspects, and verify that quality control complies with all project requirements. The Senior Apparel Product Developer will deliver approved projects on time, within budget, and with quality results.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Work closely with the Merchandise and Category Management Teams to understand the vision and direction of the product.
• Be the go-to expert in your assigned category.
• Work with the project manager and be the go-to expert on the commercialization calendar.
• Work with your internal teams, other internal teams, and manufacturing partners to advance a product from prototype stages to successful production.
• Bring technical knowledge to the team as it relates to your product and product category.
• Work with Costing Teams, both externally and internally, to bring profitable products to the market.
• Work with your team and the factories to analysis product changes if costing does not meet expectations, communicate recommended changes to Merchandising.
• Work with the Merchandising and Category Management Teams to clearly understand the project timeline and adhere to milestones and deliverables.
• Work with design and engineering to help transition design prototypes into cost-efficient and high-volume products.
• Troubleshoot design, material, and trim details to execute the desired design and product.
• Work with Category Management Team to deliver and communicate technical packages (Tech Packs) to our manufacturing partners.
• Works closely with the supply chain team to bring successful, profitable, and quality products to our customers.
• Works closely with Product Quality Teams to ensure that all assigned projects meet the demanding standards of Varsity Brands.
• Works with internal and external testing labs to ensure the product hurdles all quality parameters for product release.
• Partners closely with internal and external Material Developers to effectively develop new materials, trims, and fabric.
• Monitor status of all new products and ensure effective execution of projects according to required policies, procedures, and government regulations.
• Monitor operations of products and evaluate designs to ensure adherence to all design and manufacture principles.
• Analyze and recommend improvements to all production processes and methods to facilitate cost reduction and quality improvement.
• Analyze and recommend corrective action in case of any design failure.
• Coordinate with senior management to maintain knowledge of product status and prepare appropriate reports.

QUALIFICATIONS

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

• The ability to communicate in an open and honest way that quickly builds trust and respect.
• Apparel technical expert as it relates to construction, fit, and function.
• Knowledge of fabrics is a must. Including circular, warp, woven.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, PLM, and AS400 with an aptitude for learning latest programs.
• Extensive knowledge of product development processes is necessary.
• Excellent analytical, verbal, and written skills with strong attention to detail.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle critical deadlines/prioritize work and business processes and able to multi-task regularly.
• Must have affinity for problem solving, exposure or experience in Manufacturing, Quality Excellence, Strategic thinking, listen to our internal customers, and perform in the most professional manner.
• The ideal candidate should be flexible during times of change, comprehend business op