Associate Product Development Manager (Apparel Industry)

Job Summary

The Associate Product Development Manager is responsible for coordinating and managing the full product lifecycle - from concept development and sampling through production and delivery. This role serves as the key liaison between Sales, Design, Technical, and Manufacturing teams (domestic and overseas) to ensure on-time, cost-effective, and high-quality execution across all brands and customer programs.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Product Development / Pre-Production

• Create, manage, and own seasonal Time & Action Calendars in partnership with cross-functional teams.
• Collaborate with Design, Raw materials, Pattern Making, and technical teams to meet all key milestones and ensure product accuracy.
• Partner with Sales, Design, and vendors to ensure timely delivery of samples and swatch materials.
• Coordinate and lead Cross-Functional Team meetings, driving clarity and accountability across departments.
• Oversee sample and prototype management, including yardage ordering, tracking, and approvals.
• Maintain testing, certification, and compliance documentation for all nominated fabrics, trims, and customer requirements.
• Manage finishing requirements in PLM systems (YPLM/Blue Cherry) and customer facing systems, including packaging, labeling, tickets.
• Partner with suppliers and factories to monitor development timelines, costs, and MOQ/lead-time compliance.
• Identify and communicate risks in development - cost, timing, and compliance - and collaborate on solutions.
• Maintain and update line sheets, style setup, UPCs/MSRPs, and system data integrity across product categories.
• Participate and lead calls with mill's , factories , overseas offices to facilitate sample making and problem solve.

• Manage PP and TOP sample approvals, ensuring quality and consistency between prototypes and bulk production.

Qualifications and Requirements

Experience: Minimum 5 years in Product development or Pre production, with experience in sourcing, vendor management, and product lifecycle coordination. Experience in swimwear or intimate apparel a plus. Walmart experience is a plus.

Skills:

• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with strong follow-up and multitasking abilities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Experience using Blue Cherry ERP and YPLM systems preferred. Some PLM and ERP system experience is required.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams across the globe in a fast-paced environment.
• Availability to communicate with overseas offices/suppliers outside standard business hours.

This should describe you –

• Experience: You have 3 years of experience in product development within apparel.
• A Product Developer at Heart: You have a genuine interest and take pride in creating products that people love. You're excited by new products, technologies, and formats, paying close attention to every detail to craft the ultimate user experience.
• Execution-Focused & Results-Driven: You get things done. You're a proactive doer who takes initiative and thrives in a "no task too small" environment, eagerly tackling any issue that arises. You create efficient systems for tracking, testing, and reporting, and you are relentlessly committed to achieving goals.
• A Collaborative & Adaptable Partner: You're a natural team player who works well in cross-functional teams. You embrace change, pivot with shifting business needs, and excel at communicating directly and honestly.
• A Strategic & Creative Thinker: You're energized by challenges and are a resourceful problem-solver who can identify risks and proactively develop solutions. You're a lifelong learner with a hunger for knowledge who is always looking to improve.
• Technology Enthusiast – You have a natural flair for systems and process optimization, leveraging digital tools to drive efficiency. Highly organized, you're motivated by finding smarter, more effective ways to work.