Product Developer

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Title & Reporting Relationships

Position Title:

Product Developer

Reports to:

Interim Product Development Manager

Department:

Supply Chain

Oversees:

No Direct Reports

Interactions:

Sourcing and Supply Chain

Merchandising

Planning

Design

Factories (Garment manufacturers)

Fabric Mills

Accounts Payable

Creative Services

Customer Service

Marketing

Main Purpose and Major Challenges of the Role

Outerknown is deeply committed to creating a world where people and the planet prosper. Our mission is to protect workers and natural resources, reimagine design, and embrace circularity. To deliver on these commitments, we prioritize innovative solutions and responsibly sourced materials that align with both our brand and industry standards.

We are seeking a detail-oriented and innovative Product Developer with a strong understanding of the apparel market. This role will own specific development categories from concept to commercialization while building strong vendor relationships, and proactively manages internal cross functional partnerships to ensure clear communication, alignment, and seamless decision-making. The ideal candidate is technically skilled and passionate about creating high-quality, functional apparel that aligns with our brand vision. 

ACCOUNTABILITY: 

Product Development

• Manage the end-to-end product development process for assigned categories, ensuring timelines, quality, and cost targets are met.
• Partner with merchandisers, designers and production team to translate concepts into commercially viable, high-quality products.
• Leverage fabric expertise to recommend materials and finishes that align with performance, durability, and aesthetic goals.
• Ensure that all product information is accurate in Backbone and Full Circle systems at all times during life cycle of the product and share updates of Tech Packs to the vendors.
• Attend fittings and share visual comments to vendors.
• Manage the prototype and sampling process, ensuring timely reviews, comments, approvals, and delivery that align with the brand vision and quality standards.
• Partner with Technical Design and Production teams to communicate factory deadlines and approval processes, ensuring timely and high-quality product execution.

Fabric and Trims Knowledge

• Collaborate with mills and suppliers to source and develop fabrics and trims, ensuring compliance with performance, sustainability, and cost requirements.
• Maintain seasonal materials and oversee approvals for fabrics, washes, trims, and colors between Design and vendors.
• Conduct fabric and trims testing and evaluations, ensuring materials meet brand and industry standards
• Stay informed on fabric and trims trends and innovations, particularly in the lifestyle and surf markets, to drive product differentiation.
• Manage and communicate raw-material lead-time at development and ensuring viable for bulk.

Category Ownership

• Take full ownership of specific categories, from initial development to final handoff to production.
• Analyze market trends and competitive benchmarks to identify opportunities for growth and innovation within your assigned categories.

Vendor Relationships and Management

• Establish and maintain strong partnerships with vendors, mills, and factories to ensure seamless development and production processes.
• Negotiate costs, lead times, and production schedules to optimize efficiency while maintaining quality standards.
• Regularly evaluate vendor performance, providing feedback and making recommendations for improvements or changes as necessary.
• Collaborate with vendors to troubleshoot and resolve any development or production challenges.
• Travel domestically and internationally, as needed, to build relationships, monitor development and ensure product standards are met.

Brand mission:

• Ensure the alignment of product vision, quality, and functionality with the goal of minimizing environmental impacts.
• Partner with Interim Development Manager to execute product development strategies with a responsible purchasing mindset, minimizing waste from over-sampling and over-development.
• Ensure sustainable practices are embedded in every stage of the product development process, prioritizing practicality and efficiency.
• Encourage innovative solutions to reduce environmental impacts while maintaining design and quality standards.
• Demonstrate a passion for sustainability in all aspects of product development.
• Foster a high-performing, team-oriented, and cross-functional work environment.

Balancing Multiple Stakeholder Needs: 

The role requires balancing the needs of different stakeholders, including internal departments, customers, and vendors. Ensuring smooth communication and meeting diverse requirements can be challenging, especially when priorities shift.

Provide leadership and mentorship to teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 5 years apparel production/sourcing experience in domestic and international production.          Demonstrate expertise in managing global supply chains and production processes.
• Experience in product development with deep knowledge of performance materials and trims
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient in creating and managing tech packs, with a strong background in product development
• Detail, skilled and highly organized at prioritizing multiple tasks and managing seasonal workflows to ensure deadlines and quality standards are met.
• Strong negotiation skills
• Good people management
• Strong team orientation
• Proven experience having travelled and worked extensively with factories overseas