Product Development & Merchandising Specialist - Soffe

The Merchandising Specialist is responsible for coordinating and executing the apparel product development process from concept through production readiness. This role serves as the primary operational resource for the Merchandising team, managing seasonal development timelines, maintaining product information and PLM data, coordinating sample development, and ensuring cross-functional alignment with internal teams and overseas manufacturing partners. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of independently managing multiple product initiatives in a fast-paced environment while driving projects to successful completion.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain and proactively manage seasonal product development calendars, ensuring milestone completion, communicating schedule risks, and tracking follow-up actions to support on-time product launches.
• Coordinate cross-functional communication between Merchandising, Purchasing, Quality, Marketing, Sales, and overseas manufacturing partners throughout the product development process.
• Manage and maintain product information within PLM, including development and style creation, technical packages, garment label components, packaging information, sample requests, and technical documentation while ensuring data accuracy, completeness, and consistency throughout the product lifecycle.
• Coordinate all product sample activities throughout the development process, including fabrics, trims, colors, packaging, fit, Pre-Pro, TOP, sales, marketing, photography, customer presentations, and line reviews while maintaining accurate tracking, documentation, and sample organization.
• Manage color development by submitting approved color standards to factories, reviewing lab dips and visual submissions, assigning NRF color and size codes, and maintaining color standards and color cards.
• Coordinate product feedback by collecting, documenting, and communicating comments from cross-functional teams to manufacturing partners.
• Maintain product features, benefit, SKU, line sheet, Seasonal Transition Sheet, and related merchandising documentation.
• Prepare development status reports, product presentations, seasonal line review materials, and key development metrics for leadership.
• Support Sales and Marketing by coordinating product samples, product information, presentation materials, photoshoot needs, and digital product launch requirements.
• Perform competitive product, assortment, and pricing analysis to support merchandising initiatives.
• Coordinate product testing and sample submissions with internal and external testing partners.
• Manage certification submissions, Berry Amendment documentation, compliance records, and related product documentation as required.
• Identify opportunities to improve product development processes, workflows, and documentation to increase efficiency and reduce errors.
• Maintain organized product sample libraries, development archives, and merchandising materials.
• Assist with product costing analysis and other merchandising projects as assigned.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and product information to support leadership decision-making, customer meetings, and seasonal business reviews.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support the Product Development and Merchandising team.
• Fast-paced office environment with multiple concurrent priorities and deadlines.
• Requires periodic travel between Winston-Salem and Mount Airy offices

 PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS 

• Experience supporting seasonal line planning, merchandising, and apparel product development. 
• Experience managing multiple apparel categories through the product lifecycle. 
• Experience working with overseas manufacturing partners throughout development and production. 
• Experience coordinating product samples for development, sales, photography, customer meetings, and merchandising presentations. 
• Experience supporting retail, wholesale, and e-commerce product launches. 
• Ability to analyze sales, inventory, and product performance data to support merchandising decisions and identify growth opportunities. 
• Understanding of assortment planning, pricing, inventory management, and margin optimization. 
• Experience using PLM, ERP, or merchandising systems to manage product information and seasonal workflows. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ABILITY

• Strong project management and prioritization skills 
• Excellent written and verbal communication 
• High attention to detail 
• Ability to influence without direct authority 
• Analytical and problem-solving skills 
• Advanced Excel proficiency

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising, Product Development, Apparel Design, Textile Sciences, Business, or a related field preferred. 
• 5 years of apparel merchandising, product development coordination, sourcing, or technical product support experience.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.  

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

*The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by associates and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required.  Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer at any time with or without notice. 

AA/EOE/Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without race, color, gender (including pregnancy), gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or other protected characteristics. *