We are seeking a highly motivated Product Development Associate to join our dynamic footwear team. This role is responsible for the end-to-end development process, including product ideation, sampling, costing, and transfer to production, for specific retailer accounts. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, has a passion for footwear, and possesses strong communication and organizational skills.
Responsibilities
Effective Process and Communication
o Ensure product samples meet design, quality, and timeline objectives and are aligned with stakeholders’ expectations.
o Participate in weekly Cross Functional Meetings, Detail Meetings, and Milestone Meetings.
o Work closely with design, merchandising, sourcing, and production teams.
o Serve as a liaison between the company and clients, managing expectations, providing updates, and ensuring alignment throughout the development & commercialization process. Make necessary adjustments to meet their needs
o Ensure clear and effective communication throughout the development process.
o Work with suppliers to source innovative materials and components that align with client goals and market trends.
• Sample Management – Quality
o Reviews and oversees issuance of all PLM specs (BOMs/tech packs) for accuracy, completeness, quality, affordability, and compliance prior to release
o Manages the handover of clean specs to manufacturing partners collaboratively with design.
o Communicates daily with overseas offices and direct suppliers on questions and changes to specs, standards; assists in interpreting design needs.Communicate changes and updates to suppliers promptly.
o Track and manage all sample requests and ensure timely delivery for client meetings and approval deadlines.
o Review samples for quality, construction, and aesthetic adherence to design intent.
o Highlight discrepancies and work with suppliers to resolve confirmation sample development problems to the client’s needs/satisfaction, within their time constraints and our approval dates
o Working collaboratively with design, set up and maintain the showroom, with current season samples. Rotate seasonal collections and dispose of unused and old samples.
o Catalogue and maintain sample library
• Sample Management - Calendar
o Coordinates with manufacturing partners and cross-functional teams to manage spec turnover within calendar to ensure timeliness in protos, and SMS samples.
o Monitors calendar daily to promote flow of development. Monitors, tracks, and reports on all requested prototypes, sales samples, confirmation samples, fit samples, and marketing Samples
o Identify, communicate, and resolve calendar variances with account team
o Ensure that our clients receive marketing samples on-time
o Track development progress and flag potential delays.
• Costing and Negotiations
o Use knowledge of costing and shoemaking to develop cost right product.
o Manage pre-costing and develop strategies to meet/exceed margin requirement while maintaining design aesthetic.
o Collaborate with factories and vendors to gather costing information.
o Assist in price negotiations to ensure target margins are met while maintaining product quality and timelines for the client and the company.
• Fit and Wear Testing
o Assist in scheduling and conducting fit sessions and collecting feedback.
o Coordinate fit sessions with clients and internal teams, documenting feedback and implementing necessary adjustments to achieve the desired fit.
o Ensure any necessary adjustments are communicated to factories.
o Coordinate wear testing and report findings.
o Track and manage the fit approval timeline to ensure it aligns with the overall production schedule, minimizing delays.
• Data Management
o Maintain accurate records of product specs, cost sheets, and development timelines in internal systems.
o Assist in setting up and maintaining PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) systems, ensuring all product details are correctly input and updated throughout the development cycle.
o Coordinate with the production team to manage Bill of Materials (BOM) data, ensuring consistency and accuracy across all stages of product development.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Fashion, Business, Product Development, or a related field.
• 3-4 years of experience in footwear product development, merchandising, or a related role.
• Ability to be in the New York Office 3 days per week
• 10% travel both in the US & internationally
• Strong understanding of the footwear development process, including materials, construction, and costing.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, particularly within a small business setting where multitasking and wearing multiple hats are essential.
• Comfortable managing shifting priorities and adapting quickly to new challenges while maintaining a high level of attention to detail and quality.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Detail-oriented with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and experience with PLM systems is a plus.
• Passion for footwear and staying up-to-date on industry trends.
