Product Developer

Implus Footcare, LLC is an industry-leading global consumer packaged goods company with 20 brands in fitness, outdoor, sporting goods and footcare product categories. Implus is headquartered in Research Triangle Park in Durham, NC with locations in the United States, Australia, Canada, Europe, Hong Kong, and South Africa. Our brand family includes Sof Sole, Yaktrax, Apara, Airplus, Sneaker Balls, Sof Comfort, Little Hotties, Harbinger, TriggerPoint, Perfect Fitness, Balega, Penguin, DryGuy, Spenco, Force Field, FuelBelt, Stabil, SKLZ, and Rock Tape. From insoles, socks, and shoe care to fitness equipment and seasonal accessories, Implus' products are sold in over 75,000 retail locations across North America and in over 70 countries worldwide.

Position Summary

The Hosiery Product Developer assists in the development of a comprehensive hosiery assortment related to seasonal product initiatives around inline brands and private label for domestic and global partners. This role coordinates with Design, Sales and Merchandising teams to create product line(s) from concept to reality. The Hosiery Product Developer will perform as contributor to product development process, including tech pack builds for new constructions, treatments, and design techniques. Additional key responsibilities are weekly maintenance of the Product development report, costing, sampling and production approvals. Hybrid- 2 to 3 days in Durham office.

Primary Responsibilities

• Assist in development of products focusing on function, silhouette, construction, material applications and graphic treatments.
• Creation, execution, and maintenance of Product Tech Packs seasonal. Includes creation of a PD code for development.
• Correspond daily with overseas factories, sales, merchandising, design and other cross-functional teams to ensure all deadlines are met
• Ensure conformance to all product development specifications as established by the Brand.
• Build and maintain clear communication channels (written and verbal) to ensure clear and concise understanding of product requirements both internally and externally.
• Create, Review, and maintain all seasonal sample tracking documents, weekly development reports, spec sheets, cost breakdown sheets
• Receipt, and Review of weekly development reports from each factory
• Assist with product compliance initiatives.
• Maintain archive of past/current product development samples and specs.
• Meet all product design, development, and marketing / reporting deadlines
  
  

Key Skills

• High intermediate demonstrated skill with Microsoft Excel regarding spreadsheet report generation and analysis; Intermediate level skill set with other Microsoft Office products and applications including Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Adobe Illustrator - Intermediate Level experience
• Experience with building tech packages or development packs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of the Product Development process including Fit and construction specific to Circular Knitting & Hosiery.
• Excellent organization skills and ability to comply with established documentation rules
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects at once
  
  

Desired Skills And Experience

• Hosiery and Circular Knitting product development experience
• Experience with consumer package goods (CPG) suppliers or prior apparel design/development experience
• Cost/WHSL/Retail analysis capability
• Minimum 3 years’ work experience, preferably within hosiery or apparel product development; may consider operations management, product and/or commercialization functionality.
  
  

Education And Certifications

A Bachelor’s degree in Textiles or Equivalent years of experience in Sock Product Development/Knitting

Requirements

Minimum Physical and Environmental Requirements:

• Visual Abilities: Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus, read reports, create presentations and use a computer system.
• Hearing: Ability to effectively communicate with co-workers, vendors, and students.
• Dexterity, Grasping, Feeling: Write, type and use the telephone, copier, and computer systems.
• Mobility: Open files and operate office machines; move between departments and attend meetings.
• Talking: Frequently convey detailed or important instructions and ideas accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Lifting, Pulling, Pushing: Exert up to 50 pounds for force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Predictable attendance on site
• Work has deadlines, multiple interruptions and may be stressful at times.
• Work may require occasional travel
• Standard climate-controlled office setting
• Occasional exposure to open air, warehouse setting
  
  

Implus is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion/belief, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.