The North Face: Associate Developer, Equipment & Accessories

Vans; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 69,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

Job summary

The North Face in Denver is seeking an Associate Developer for Equipment & Accessories to take bags, backpacks and related gear from concept to commercialization. You’ll work with cross-functional teams to build products that inspire people to Never Stop Exploring.

You’ll contribute to development timelines, specifications, and final deliverables, while refining prototypes and collaborating with Design, Merchandising, Sourcing, and Development to ensure on-time delivery.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years in apparel/equipment/ accessories product development.
• Foundational knowledge of fit, patternmaking, grading, and construction.
• Strong verbal and written communication with global partners.
• Understanding of product development, sourcing, and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, timelines, and priorities.
• Experience creating and maintaining BOMs, technical specs, and tech packs; Flex PLM preferred.
• Familiarity with Browzwear, CLO or Optitex is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support development of low-complexity equipment and accessories from concept to buy-ready handoff.
• Manage BOMs, specs, and style information in Flex PLM with accuracy.
• Contribute to special projects and maintain development timelines and deliverables.
• Assist with prototype reviews and document feedback for refinement and commercialization.
• Collaborate with Design, Merchandising, Sourcing and Development to support execution.
• Provide clear development updates and escalate risks to maintain momentum.
• Prioritize workload against milestones and manage sample organization and tracking.

Skills

Product development

Cross-functional collaboration

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Technical Design, Industrial Design, Product Development, or related field

Tools

Flex PLM

Browzwear

CLO

Optitex

Job description

The best adventures start with great gear! At The North Face, we're committed to creating innovative equipment and accessories that empower exploration in every environment. As the Associate Developer, Equipment & Accessories you'll help bring bags, backpacks, and accessories from concept to commercialization, partnering with cross-functional teams to build products that inspire people to Never Stop Exploring.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Support the development of low-complexity equipment and accessories styles, including bags, backpacks, hats, gloves, and socks, from concept through buy-ready handoff.
• Manage product specifications, Bills of Materials (BOMs), and style information within Flex PLM, ensuring accuracy throughout the development process.
• Contribute to special projects and non-inline product initiatives by maintaining development timelines, specifications, and key deliverables.
• Assist with prototype reviews, documenting feedback and partnering with senior developers to support product refinement and commercialization.
• Collaborate with Design, Merchandising, Sourcing, and Development partners to support product execution and gain a broad understanding of the product creation process.
• Communicate clear, concise development updates and elevate issues or risks as needed to maintain project momentum.
• Participate in process improvement, calendar, and team initiatives while building expertise in equipment and accessories development best practices.
• Prioritize workload against key calendar milestones, proactively communicating progress and support needs.
• Maintain sample organization, storage, tracking, and purging activities to support an efficient development environment.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

• 1-2 years of experience in apparel, equipment, or accessories product development.
• Foundational knowledge of fit, patternmaking, grading, and product construction.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with global cross-functional and vendor partners, with the ability to provide clear, actionable sample feedback.
• Understanding of product development, sourcing, and manufacturing processes for equipment and accessories.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, timelines, and priorities.
• Experience creating and maintaining Bills of Materials (BOMs), technical specifications, and tech packs; working knowledge of Flex PLM preferred.
• Familiarity with 3D development tools such as Browzwear, CLO, or Optitex is a plus.
• Adaptable and agile, with the ability to navigate change and perform in a fast-paced environment.
• Passion for product innovation, outdoor exploration, and creating best-in-class equipment and accessories.
• Growth mindset with a curiosity for learning new tools, processes, and problem-solving approaches.
• Passion for the outdoors and a connection to The North Face's mission to Never Stop Exploring.

We all have unique skills that we bring to work and celebrate every day. For this role, there are foundation skills you’ll need to succeed and excel. Additionally, while formal education in a related field is great to have, we are most interested in your 1-2 years of experience and professional achievements within the design and product creation field. Bachelor's degree in Technical Design, Industrial Design, Product Development, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.

This role operates on a hybrid schedule out of our HQ in Denver, CO three days a week.

Hiring Range: $69,120.00 USD - $86,400.00 USD annually

Incentive Potential: This position is eligible for additional compensation awards that may include an annual incentive plan, sales incentive, or commission potential. Specific details of the additional compensation eligibility for this position will be provided during the recruiting and interview process.

Benefits at VF Corporation: You can review a general overview of each benefit program offered, including this year's medical plan rates on www.MyVFbenefits.com. Detailed information on your benefits will be provided during the hiring process. Please note, our hiring ranges are determined and built from market pay data. In determining the specific compensation for this position, we comply with all local, state, and federal laws. At VF, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us at [e-mail]. VF will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals to the extent required by applicable law. Pursuant to all applicable local Fair Chance Ordinance requirements, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, VF will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

With 40 years in the outdoor industry, The North Face® is the premier supplier of authentic, innovative and technologically advanced exploration apparel, footwear, equipment and accessories. We look for employees who help us stay on the cutting edge with their creativity and innovation.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

VF Diversity Vision Statement

VF is committed to creating an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the differences among all of our associates, customers, suppliers and the communities in which we live and conduct business. The continued success and growth of VF is enhanced through initiatives that promote diversity throughout VF around the world.

VF is an equal employment opportunity employer of minorities, females, protected veterans and the disabled. VF is committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, and treating our VF associates and VF applicants without discrimination on the basis of their race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, HIV/AIDS status, or any other legally protected factor. VF is committed to meeting the diverse needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner that is consistent with the principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity, and will do so by striving to identify, prevent and remove barriers to accessibility wherever possible as well as by meeting the accessibility requirements under the ADA, AODA, and other applicable state, local or provincial regulations. VF is committed to digital accessibility, and to conforming to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA and complying with the ADA and AODA Standards for Accessible Design, and other applicable regulations. If you need an accommodation or have any questions regarding this statement, please send your request to [e-mail].