Product Developer – Lee

About the role

The Product Developer assists as the key liaison/administrator between the Brand and Supply chain to guarantee best-in-class quality, on-time execution of the product line and meeting margin goals. This role owns managing an efficient and effective product development process in overseeing sampling accuracy, information flow, achieving preliminary cost margin targets, and on-time calendar management through final pre-production approvals to deliver product execution true to Design’s aesthetic intent.

Responsibilities

• Work with the tech team to review samples and assist in guiding best quality, cost-viable styles.
• Partner with the fabric team on development as it relates to proper assignment for garment styling.
• Organize all sample order requests to suppliers to meet calendar due dates.
• Ensure all development and product sampling activities are tracked and delivered on-time for briefs, protos, salesman, pre-production size sets approvals to final manufacturing-ready product.
• Evaluate and submit on-time, accurate development product costing in adherence to critical calendar milestones and margin goals.
• Analyze costs to margin expectations and identify/provide viable cost-saving opportunities.
• Partner closely with Design on seasonal line development to ensure alignment throughout the development process executing to product aesthetic and intent. Focus on denim and denim finishes including wash development.
• Manage efficient, streamlined workflow processes and working tools for optimal execution accuracy, shortening lead times, lower minimums, and costs.
• Operate and support current and future new business system management. Standardize and institute best practices where possible.
• Collaborate with fabric and design teams in researching new product innovation and trend ideas.

Requirements

• Apparel product development/sourcing/manufacturing work experience.
• In-depth apparel industry knowledge, particularly in Denim and Denim finishing.
• Experience working in medium-large companies interacting with cross-functional teams.
• High proficiency with MS Office applications (Teams, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, Word, Smartsheet).
• Efficient time management in multi-tasking priorities and meeting calendar deadlines.
• Excellent verbal/written/interpersonal communication skills. Ability to work with cross-functional teams.
• Result-driven and service-oriented team player.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• University degree or equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications

• Technical college textile-related field preferred.

Leadership Competencies

• Emerging Leader
• Global Agility – Open to diverse views, adapts to new ways of working.
• Purposeful Integrity – Demonstrates ethical behavior, follows through on commitments.
• Strategic Foresight – Understands team goals, asks strategic questions.
• Customer Centric Innovation – Suggests improvements from customer feedback, tries new methods.
• Urgency for Impact – Acts quickly and takes ownership of outcomes.
• Bold Accountability – Owns your work and delivers consistently strong results.
• Empowered Collaboration – Shares ideas, listens well, collaborates with peers.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefit package supporting physical, emotional, social, and financial wellbeing.
• Discounts on Kontoor Brands apparel.
• Four weeks of Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees who are new parents.
• Flexible Fridays.
• Tuition Reimbursement.