Product Developer

What's the Short Version?

The Product Developer supports the development process from the initial concept to the commercialized product, and is responsible for fabric/trim approvals, color, testing, sample reviews, costing, and compliance documents.

What Will You Be Doing?

• Support the product creation process through a complete cycle, driving development of fabric, trims, and styles to facilitate prototype approval during product development.
• Build and maintain the Product Development portion of technical product specifications (BOM, trims, labels, packaging, and associated technical images as needed).
• Partner with Regional Offices to drive cost negotiations, delivering product margin for new developments, resourcing, and cost improvements.
• Manage lab-dip requests to vendors, collaborating with Color and Merchandising team on timely Lab-Dip and Bulk Color submissions.
• Execute testing requirements on new and resourced development styles with the PI team & Decorator Relations team.
• Maintain all tested materials, samples, and track testing reports; communicate results to suppliers, QA, Merchandisers.
• Monitor development deliverables of Product Creation Calendar across the cross-functional team.
• Manage ELC chart and maintain seasonal costing quotes with managers’ guidance; create and provide costing comparisons on developments to Merchandising and Management.
• Review and comment on Pre-Production/Top of Production samples with Tech Design partners.
• Execute photo shoot and salesman samples process on a seasonal basis, ensuring complete review of quality and color.
• Manage Compliance/Classification/Safety requirements for products in the development cycle.
• Resolve production and delivery issues, supporting process improvement and on-time delivery.
• Maintain the fabric swatch library, top-of-production sample library, style files, and sample racks.
• Proofread marketing materials for accuracy of all content.
• Administer the resourcing process of current products and programs; maintain change logs and product databases.
• Travel domestically and/or internationally may be required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Comply with all policies and standards.

What Are We Looking For?

• 4-6 years of apparel or industry experience or equivalent education.
• Understanding of the garment and textile manufacturing processes.
• Knowledgeable in component costing, including garment construction, raw material options, and landing factors.
• Basic understanding of international trade agreements, duty & tariff, customs regulations, and product safety standards.
• Ability to learn and understand promotional industry and decoration viability.
• Embrace and value collaboration, teamwork, and collective ideation.
• Work cooperatively and enthusiastically to proactively achieve shared goals and self-manage while taking initiative.
• Collaborate with cross-functional team members and drive positive changes.
• Seek continuous improvement and build decision making capacities with direction from teammates and managers.
• Have a thorough understanding of development calendar to meet or exceed all deadlines.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and workload effectively for workflow, especially during high-demand situations.
• Embody accuracy, organization, and attention to detail, growing verbal, written, and visual communication skills.

What's Our Offer?

Salary Range: You`ll earn between $32.56 - $38.46 on an hourly basis, depending on experience.

Bonus: You`ll be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus up to 10% of base salary.

Paid Time Off: You`ll accrue paid time off on a weekly basis based on hours worked up to 112 hours per year to start. Employees also receive 8 paid holidays and 1 paid family day off.

Additional Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
• 401k plan and matches $1 for $1 up to 4% of earnings, matched & vested at every pay cycle
• Life insurance
• Short/long-term disability coverage
• Paid maternity/paternity leave
• Pet insurance

What Should You Expect?

Hybrid: SanMar's Eastpointe office is located in Issaquah, WA in the Seattle metropolitan area. Employees are required to work in our offices Tuesday through Thursday each week and additional days may be added based on business needs. Our standard working hours are 8:00-5:00 PST. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle or feel. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Work environment is moderately quiet. Ability to work on computer for multiple hours with frequent interruptions. Quarterly travel may be required.