Emerging Blue, Inc.
http://www.emergingblue.com
http://www.emergingblue.com
true
Senior Product Development Manager, Men’s Performance Apparel
Stamford, CT 06902 US
Posted: 11/21/2023
2023-11-21
2024-01-01
Employment Type:
Permanent
Job Category: Product Design & Merchandising
Job Number: CJ7910301121
Job Description
Our client, Rhone, a premium wellness brand that creates best in class performance-driven apparel that is engineered for an active lifestyle is looking for an experienced Senior Product Development Manager, Men’s to join their PD team. Someone who is dedicated to creating products that are innovative and is passionate about performance apparel is ideal for this role leadership role.
Job Type: Full Time (Hybrid/Stamford, Connecticut)
About the role:
Rhone is looking for a looking for a Senior Manager level leader with a proven
track record building innovative and unique performance products. You’ll work hand in hand with the co-founders and senior leaders of the brand while implementing strategies that will accelerate not only the brand growth but also that of your career. If you are tenacious, detail oriented and passionate with your own track record of success to build on, this is the role for you.
Responsibilities:
- Starting at product idea inception and working with key suppliers on innovation - research and suggest innovative fabrics, trims & techniques to inform seasonal development for inline and long pull development
- Actively participate as a leader on the team in the Design process - attend preliminary Design meetings with Merchants, Designers and Technical Designers to determine prototype needs and suggest the best path to success
- Spearhead up front and inline product vetting & testing to ensure that suggested fabrics are suitable and commercialized for development, taking into account special finishes applicable to the desired end use
- Throughout the development cycle, review and refine all tech packs to verify they are complete and understood by the Supplier with all information needed for sample development
- Work with the team to determine pricing ladders and conduct predictive costing exercises to ensure products are designed to achieve costing goals and actively help to find alternative material options, as necessary
- Manage the product costing lifecycle- providing solutions throughout the development process ensuring that IMU targets are not only achieved but exceeded, meeting company YOY margin improvement goals
- Negotiate exclusivity on special development and proprietary fabrics and concepts throughout the development process
- Reserve, communicate and track Proto/sms yardage, handlooms, knit downs, lab dips, strike-offs and communicate comments to suppliers
- Execute the request, tracking and reporting of product samples including prototypes, and sms
- Order and track results from wear test requests, sample distribution and interpret/ collate feedback
- Manage the submit and materials library for easy access
- Track and manage development liabilities and surcharges
- Throughout the development process, lean in to lead with design and suppliers to create mockups and prototypes to explore, resolve, or prove new concepts, construction techniques and product features
- Inform timelines and develop styles within guidelines set out by GTM calendar and product briefs- monitor key calendar deadlines to ensure timeliness of deliverables are met and troubleshoot all problems/issues that arise
- Daily correspondence and calls with suppliers that enhances Rhone’s visibility and importance with our supplier partners- drive and lead communication of all style development information to the appropriate supplier
- Attend weekly garment fittings and communicate any changes as needed to suppliers and cross functional teams
- Problem-solve challenges in development in partnership with cross-functional teams, facilitating conversations to ensure final outcomes are met
- Work closely with suppliers to conduct in-development testing- escalate any risks during the design and development phases and providing alternatives to help reduce concerns
- Resolve quality concerns that arise during development phase in both fabric and garment, working with counterparts to ensure bulk product is up to Rhone’s quality standards
- Research and suggest new development & refinements for existing products
- Stay up to day, seek out and communicate current apparel trends & technology- understand the market and how it pertains to Rhone consumers; continuous awareness of consumer product information
- Research and suggest new product development and refinements for existing products
- Partner closely with the Production Manager to ensure a smooth transition from development to Production Team
- Manage and develop Team with additional tasks & responsibilities as needed
- Ability to travel as necessary to meet job needs- i.e. domestically and internationally to suppliers, our Distribution Center and Trade Shows
- Weekly AM/PM calls with suppliers
Requirements:
- Specialization and Degree in Performance Textiles and Apparel Management
- Advanced Degree with major in Business Administration a plus
- 12 plus years of Performance Product Development experience on a high functioning performance apparel team
- Advanced knowledge of and familiarity with fabrics and trims associated with the performance development process- including independent ability to analyze and select appropriate fabrics for the required application
- Strong experience with costing and cost negotiation, trade regulations, product integrity, testing protocol, production cycle timeline, fabric and garment construction with the ability to check patterns and cost engineer a garment to improve margins
- Strong experience traveling and working in country and ability to build collaborative, lasting relationships with suppliers
- Computer proficiency with MS Office Suite especially Microsoft Excel, PLM systems, Adobe Suite and Google Applications
- Superior interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills as well as strong organizational skills with a sense of prioritization & attention to detail
- Strong problem-solving skills and analytical mindset with ability to multitask and meet deadlines
- Positive, optimistic and open-minded approach
What you’ll get:
- Salary: $100K-125K
- Health, Dental, Vision, and other Ancillary Benefits
- 401k Incentive Savings Plan
- 10 Company Holidays Annually
- Discretionary Time Off Policy
- Advancement Opportunities
- Discount on clothing plus semi-annual gift card allotment
Meet Your Recruiter
Alonya Van Rooyen
From South Africa originally, Alonya has over 15 years of experience in fashion, accessories, footwear, & textiles. She has worked in various design and product development roles globally, including South Africa, Europe, and the US, giving her an international perspective on the industries.