The North Face: Product Developer, Men's Apparel

Vans; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 86,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Face is seeking a Product Developer for Men's Apparel to own end-to-end development of assigned styles, collaborating with design, sourcing, and factories to meet cost and calendar targets. You will translate design intent into BOMs, specs, and prototypes while driving quality and manufacturability.

You will work across 3D tooling, BOM management, and vendor partnerships, traveling seasonally to overseas manufacturers to ensure production readiness and on-time delivery of

Qualifications

• Degree in Product Development, Apparel Design, or related field.
• 4+ years of apparel product development experience.
• Strong product acumen with knowledge of development processes, tools, and systems.
• Familiarity with patternmaking and grading.
• Working knowledge of BOMs, specs, and tech packs; PLM/PDM and 3D tools such as Browzwear, CLO, and Optitex.
• Strong verbal and written communication; collaboration; ability to manage multiple timelines.

Responsibilities

• Own, build, maintain, and approve BOMs for assigned styles, ensuring alignment with design intent, cost targets, and production handoff.
• Partner with Design, Technical Design, Standards, Merchandising, Materials, Sourcing, QA, factories, and vendors to deliver best-in-class products and resolve construction, fit, and documentation needs.
• Support costing validation, consumption analysis, and material-efficiency reviews with vendors.
• Own buy readiness, discrepancy resolution, and seasonal product development communication with sourcing and vendors.
• Commercialize assigned styles from SMS to bulk production, including reviews, teardown analysis, margin reviews, risk assessments, and readiness activities.
• Identify and help develop department guidelines to ensure operational excellence and consistency across teams.
• Train and work in 3D software to review/create virtual prototypes; leverage 3D assets to shorten approvals.
• Balance quality, cost, manufacturability, and speed while resolving development challenges; monitor calendar adherence.

Skills

4+ years apparel product development

Patternmaking & grading

BOMs, specs & tech packs

PLM/PDM systems

3D development tools Browzwear

3D development tools CLO

3D development tools Optitex

Verbal & written communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Degree in Product Development, Apparel Design, or related field

Tools

Browzwear

CLO

Optitex

PLM/PDM systems

Job description

At The North Face we dare to lead the world forward through Exploration. We were born to Explore, Disrupt and to Lead. We were born to Love Wild Places and to Spark Curiosity. We believe that exploration is a mindset - both on the mountain and off the mountain - and it infuses everything we do. As a community of explorers, we stay curious about new ideas, places, and people. So, before we get to the job details, take a minute to learn a little more about us – our values and our culture. If you can see yourself working side-by-side with a team of adventure-loving people, The North Face just may be the place for you. To learn more about our values and our culture, visit The North Face Careers or www.thenorthface.com.

Product Developer, Men's Apparel

What will you do? A day in the life of a Product Developer at The North Face looks a little like this. Working under the guidance of Product Development senior leadership, this role executes key department initiatives and independently owns the end-to-end development of assigned styles of moderate to high complexity. With manager support as needed, the position ensures products meet design intent, quality, cost, and calendar requirements while partnering cross-functionally with global teams and vendors. In collaboration with Design, the role translates the overall aesthetic vision into 3D and physical prototype samples, ensuring garment construction and Bills of Materials (BOMs) meet or exceed quality and cost expectations. Responsibilities include owning product specifications and maintaining all associated records, style files, BOMs, samples, and related program documentation. This position serves as a technical resource for cross-functional teams, providing guidance on garment construction and leading reviews of product execution at each prototype stage. Success in the role requires fostering a collaborative, team-oriented environment within Technical Development and across cross-functional partnerships.

Let’s break down that day-in-the-life a bit more. Own, build, maintain, and approve accurate BOMs for all assigned styles, ensuring trims, components, colorways, placements, and construction details align with design intent, cost targets, and production handoff requirements. Partner with Design, Technical Design, Standards, Merchandising, Materials, Sourcing, QA, factories, and vendors to deliver best-in-class products and resolve construction, fit, workmanship, and documentation needs. Support the Costing team with costing validation, consumption analysis, and material-efficiency reviews with vendors. Own buy readiness, discrepancy resolution, and seasonal product development communication with sourcing and vendors, with Sr. PD or Manager support as needed. Commercialize assigned styles from SMS to bulk production, including product reviews, prototype evaluations, teardown analysis, margin reviews, risk assessments, and commercialization readiness activities. Identify and assist in developing department guidelines and standards to ensure operational excellence and consistency across teams. Train and work in 3D software to review and create virtual prototypes and/or leverage vendor-created 3D assets to shorten prototype approvals and iterations. Balance quality, cost, manufacturability, and speed while resolving development challenges independently. Monitor calendar adherence, track development changes, and proactively manage risks to support production readiness. Drive continuous improvement within assigned product categories. Travel seasonally to overseas manufacturers to support product execution, vendor alignment, and production readiness.

What do you need to succeed? 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 a degree in Product Development, Apparel Design, or a related field is great to have, we are most interested in your 4+ years of experience in apparel product development. The foundation skills you will need in this position are: Degree in Product Development, Apparel Design, or a related field, and/or equivalent work experience. 4+ years of experience in apparel product development. Strong product acumen with knowledge of apparel product development processes, tools, and systems, including development, sourcing, and manufacturing. Familiarity with patternmaking and grading. Working knowledge of Bills of Materials (BOMs), specifications, and tech packs, with experience using PLM/PDM systems and 3D development tools such as Browzwear, CLO, and Optitex. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Excellent collaboration skills with the ability to manage multiple timelines and deadlines. High degree of agility and adaptability, with the ability to work effectively under pressure and navigate change with flexibility and an open mind. Growth mindset with enthusiasm for learning new tools and solving complex problems. Keen interest in innovation and a passion for product creation. Passion for creating great products and embracing an active outdoor lifestyle.

Now WE have a question for YOU. Are you in? #LI-DD1 Hiring Range: $86,400.00 USD - $108,000.00 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 and by clicking Looking to Join VF? 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. If this sounds like you, take a look through our open opportunities. 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].