Product Developer

Our client, a New York City based Men's fashion brand with a powerful cultural mission at its core is looking to hire a Product Developer for their NYC office.

The Product Developer manages the product lifecycle from concept to production-ready execution—translating creative direction into tech packs, materials, samples, and final production that meet cost, quality, and timeline targets.

Working closely with Design, Production, Merchandising, and external vendors, this role owns day-to-day product development rigor: driving calendars, resolving construction and fit issues, managing approvals, and ensuring every style is buildable at scale without compromising brand intent.

Key Responsibilities

Product Development & Execution

• Own the development process from initial design handoff through production: materials, trims, BOMs, tech packs, sample requests, and final approvals.
• Create and maintain clear documentation (tech packs, construction notes, measurement specs, grading direction) to support accurate vendor execution.
• Manage sample flow (proto, fit, SMS, PP, TOP where applicable), ensuring timely review and approval.
• Lead fit development and revisions with Design, ensuring consistency across silhouettes and size ranges.
• Partner with Production to ensure production readiness: clarifying construction, confirming factory feasibility, and resolving issues quickly.

Materials, Costing & Margin Support

• Source, evaluate, and track fabric and trim options in line with brand standards and seasonal direction.
• Build and maintain BOMs and costing worksheets; flag cost drivers early and propose alternatives that protect margin.
• Partner with Merchandising/Planning to align cost targets, MSRP architecture, and SKU-level margin expectations.
• Ensure material and color standards are approved and production-viable (lab dips, strike-offs, wash tests, handfeel standards).

Calendar & Cross-Functional Coordination

• Maintain the product development calendar across categories; drive milestone adherence and surface risks early.
• Serve as a central point of contact between internal teams and factories/vendors to keep work moving and decisions documented.
• Coordinate with Marketing/E-Commerce on launch-readiness needs (accurate product details, fabric notes, care, sizing guidance).
• Support release-day and drop readiness by ensuring finalized product specs and on-time delivery alignment.

Quality, Compliance & Process Improvement

• Partner with Production and vendors to uphold quality standards and consistent execution across styles and runs.
• Track and resolve QA issues; document root causes and preventative process improvements.
• Build SOPs and lightweight systems for development tracking, approvals, and version control (spec changes, material swaps, etc.).
• Maintain a clean archive of final tech packs and production specs for future reorders and continuity.

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• 5–8 years of product development experience in apparel (streetwear, contemporary, or luxury preferred).
• Strong technical product skills: tech packs, measurements, fit process, construction knowledge, and materials familiarity.
• Proven ability to manage multiple styles and categories simultaneously across tight calendars.
• Experience working directly with domestic and international vendors/factories.
• Strong communication and organization skills; comfortable driving approvals and resolving ambiguity quickly.

Preferred

• Experience across knits, wovens, denim, cut-and-sew, and embellishment techniques (prints, embroidery, appliqué).
• Familiarity with PLM tools (Backbone) or structured development trackers; strong Excel/Sheets comfort.
• Understanding of costing drivers and margin mechanics.
• Experience supporting both DTC and wholesale production requirements.