Fabric & Product Developer

Job Title:
Fabric & Product Development

Lead fabric and product development from initial concept through production handoff. Drive material innovation, mill and vendor partnerships, and cost-effective sourcing while ensuring adherence to Time & Action calendars, margin goals, and seasonal budgets.

• Manage end-to-end product development from initial sketches and concepts through production handoff.
• Research market and fashion trends, identify new materials, and recommend innovative, cost-effective fabric and trim solutions.
• Develop and maintain seasonal development WIP reports and Bills of Materials (BOMs) for all styles.
• Maintain daily communication with overseas factories and vendor partners to ensure alignment on development timelines and deliverables.
• Create, issue, and manage seasonal factory Time & Action (T&A) calendars; ensure internal and external deadlines are met.
• Manage seasonal and annual development budgets; track expenditures against forecasts.
• Review and negotiate costing with Production to meet margin goals; counter-source materials when margins are challenged.
• Organize and lead development fittings; manage deadlines, allocation capacity, and communicate style revisions to factories.
• Identify and resolve construction and fit challenges while preserving design intent and aesthetic.
• Oversee seasonal fabric and trim sourcing and development across all product categories, from initial sampling through bulk approvals.
• Allocate and manage development workflow to meet critical seasonal milestones.
• Track fabric and trim sample yardage orders; issue purchase orders and process invoices.
• Monitor proto and SMS sample submissions to ensure on-time delivery and quality standards.

• Partner with Production to:
  • Manage developmental changes (line plans and lookbooks) impacting overall margins.
  • Create bulk BOMs for sampled and additional line-listed styles.
  • Address seasonal costing challenges and implement strategies to offset margin impact across the assortment.

Salary $95,000