About the Company
The Associate Product & Material Developer supports the creation of an apparel collection by driving the development of fabrics, trims, and related components. This role combines technical material expertise, vendor collaboration, and strong organizational skills to help deliver commercially viable, high-quality product on time. You will work closely with regional development partners and factory contacts to guide materials from initial concept through testing, approval, and into production.
About the Role
The Associate Product & Material Developer supports the creation of an apparel collection by driving the development of fabrics, trims, and related components.
Responsibilities
- Support the development of apparel materials and trims that meet design, performance, cost, and timing requirements.
- Maintain accurate, up-to-date information in PLM (e.g., material specs, color details, test status, and approvals); proactively audit data for completeness and accuracy.
- Monitor daily emails and tracking tools to follow up on development needs, sample status, and testing requirements to keep key milestones on track.
- Partner with development teams in Asia to coordinate material, trim, and color approvals, ensuring alignment on timelines and expectations for styles developed in that region.
- For Western Hemisphere styles, communicate directly with factories to support timely material development, sample execution, and production handoff.
- Assist with special projects and commercialization activities, including tracking test reports, gathering feedback, and preparing materials for internal meetings.
- Participate in cross-functional meetings to share status updates, flag risks, and help resolve issues related to materials, trims, and testing.
Qualifications
- Experience in apparel material or product development, preferably supporting a seasonal calendar.
- Working knowledge of textile development and testing, including knits, wovens, ribs, and prints.
- Familiarity with trim development and application on apparel.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills; comfortable working across time zones and cultures.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with guidance from a manager, while meeting key deadlines.
- High attention to detail and strong organizational skills, especially in managing data within PLM or similar systems.
- Proven ability to work collaboratively within diverse, cross-functional teams.
- Comfort working in a fast-paced environment and navigating ambiguity with agility.
- Curious and proactive “student of the industry,” with an interest in learning about new materials, technologies, and processes related to apparel.
Required Skills
- Apply technical knowledge of yarns, knitting, weaving, dyeing, printing, and finishing processes across knits, wovens, ribs, and prints.
- Support trim development (e.g., labels, zippers, buttons, embellishments) with an understanding of techniques, technologies, and application to garments.
- Collaborate with vendors to develop and test materials from initial brief through to production-ready approval.
- Contribute to digital color review for Western Hemisphere materials, ensuring colors meet brand standards and quality expectations.
Preferred Skills
- This role is ideal for someone who enjoys the technical side of textiles and trims, likes working closely with factories and global partners, and is motivated by bringing apparel concepts to life through well-executed materials.
Pay range and compensation package
Freelance/Contract fulltime hours onsite
Equal Opportunity Statement
We are committed to diversity and inclusivity in our hiring practices.
