Footwear Product Development Associate
We are seeking a highly motivated Product Development Associate to join our dynamic footwear team. This role is responsible for the end-to-end development process, including product ideation, sampling, costing, and transfer to production, for specific retailer accounts.
The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, has a passion for footwear, and possesses strong communication and organizational skills.
Responsibilities
Effective Process and Communication
o Ensure product samples meet design, quality, and timeline objectives and are aligned with stakeholders’ expectations.
o Participate in weekly Cross Functional Meetings, Detail Meetings, and Milestone Meetings.
o Work closely with design, merchandising, sourcing, and production teams.
o Serve as a liaison between the company and clients, managing expectations, providing updates, and ensuring alignment throughout the development & commercialization process.
Make necessary adjustments to meet their needs
o Ensure clear and effective communication throughout the development process.
o Work with suppliers to source innovative materials and components that align with client goals and market trends.
Sample Management Quality
o Reviews and oversees issuance of all PLM specs (BOMs / tech packs) for accuracy, completeness, quality, affordability, and compliance prior to release
o Manages the handover of clean specs to manufacturing partners collaboratively with design.
o Communicates daily with overseas offices and direct suppliers on questions and changes to specs, standards; assists in interpreting design needs.
Communicate changes and updates to suppliers promptly.
o Track and manage all sample requests and ensure timely delivery for client meetings and approval deadlines.
o Review samples for quality, construction, and aesthetic adherence to design intent.
o Highlight discrepancies and work with suppliers to resolve confirmation sample development problems to the client’s needs / satisfaction, within their time constraints and our approval dates
o Working collaboratively with design, set up and maintain the showroom, with current season samples. Rotate seasonal collections and dispose of unused and old samples.
o Catalogue and maintain sample library
Sample Management - Calendar
o Coordinates with manufacturing partners and cross-functional teams to manage spec turnover within calendar to ensure timeliness in protos, and SMS samples.
o Monitors calendar daily to promote flow of development. Monitors, tracks, and reports on all requested prototypes, sales samples, confirmation samples, fit samples, and marketing Samples
o Identify, communicate, and resolve calendar variances with account team
o Ensure that our clients receive marketing samples on-time
o Track development progress and flag potential delays.
Costing and Negotiations
o Use knowledge of costing and shoemaking to develop cost right product.
o Manage pre-costing and develop strategies to meet / exceed margin requirement while maintaining design aesthetic.
o Collaborate with factories and vendors to gather costing information.
o Assist in price negotiations to ensure target margins are met while maintaining product quality and timelines for the client and the company.
Fit and Wear Testing
o Assist in scheduling and conducting fit sessions and collecting feedback.
o Coordinate fit sessions with clients and internal teams, documenting feedback and implementing necessary adjustments to achieve the desired fit.
o Ensure any necessary adjustments are communicated to factories.
o Coordinate wear testing and report findings.
o Track and manage the fit approval timeline to ensure it aligns with the overall production schedule, minimizing delays.
Data Management
o Maintain accurate records of product specs, cost sheets, and development timelines in internal systems.
o Assist in setting up and maintaining PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) systems, ensuring all product details are correctly input and updated throughout the development cycle.
o Coordinate with the production team to manage Bill of Materials (BOM) data, ensuring consistency and accuracy across all stages of product development.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Fashion, Business, Product Development, or a related field.
- 3-4 years of experience in footwear product development, merchandising, or a related role.
- Ability to be in the New York Office 3 days per week
- 10% travel both in the US & internationally
- Strong understanding of the footwear development process, including materials, construction, and costing.
- Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, particularly within a small business setting where multitasking and wearing multiple hats are essential.
- Comfortable managing shifting priorities and adapting quickly to new challenges while maintaining a high level of attention to detail and quality.
- Excellent communication and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Detail-oriented with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and experience with PLM systems is a plus.
- Passion for footwear and staying up-to-date on industry trends.
Product Development Associate
KULE is looking for an energetic Product Development Associate to support our quickly growing business. This role reports directly to the Director of PD/Production and provides support to team members in the Design department. They will assist in all areas of the departments and work cross functiona...
Senior Product Development Associate
The Product Development Senior Associate will work across internal teams and external stakeholders to scale product development and expand a high-quality assortment. Collaborate with the Product Development Manager to serve as a point of contact between internal stakeholders and external manufacturi...
Product Development Associate
In this role, you will be assisting managers between the production processes. Saving and maintaining product images. Assisting with the color and formulation of products. ...
Product Development Associate
Maintain records of development approvals to effectively communicate fabric and development information to production. Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Product Development, or Technical Design. Follow up with overseas factories regarding the quality and timely delivery of embroidery, prints, sol...
Associate Manager, Product Development
The Product Development Associate Manager supports seasonal product needs by collaborating with a cross-functional team, including Production, Design, Sales, and Overseas offices, to develop and execute assigned product lines, with a primary focus on children’s apparel development and secondary on t...
Product Development - Investment Management - Analyst/Associate
Public Markets Product Development Team, based in New York, collaborates with Portfolio Management, Distribution, Senior Management and various internal stakeholders on the development and implementation of Global Equity, Global Fixed Income and Multi-Asset investment products in an effort to suppor...
Product Development Coordinator
Product Development Coordinator. We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented individual to join our team as a Product Development Coordinator. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including designers, suppliers, manufacturers, and sales, to ensure the successful concep...
Associate, Product Development
Be on top of providing analytic support - including reporting, modeling, forecasting, and product performance analysis. Coordinate a broad range of business development activities and initiatives. ...
Product Development Associate - Hybrid- NYC
The Product Development Associate works with the Product Development team to learn the entire product development process from initial design through prototype development and bulk production. BaubleBar is currently seeking a Product Development Associate to join our team. You will be responsible fo...
Product Development Manager
This person will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including designers, suppliers, manufacturers, and sales, to ensure the successful conception, development, and launch of high-quality products that resonate with customers' needs and preferences. Bachelor's degree in Textile Design, ...