Product Developer, Men's Apparel

Founded on the Upper East Side of New York City by brothers Jay and Kevin McLaughlin, J.McLaughlin has grown from a single neighborhood shop to nearly 200 stores nationwide. With its corporate home in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, the brand emphasizes creativity, craftsmanship, and collaboration, supporting local communities through partnerships and charitable initiatives.

About the Role

• Drive the product development lifecycle from concept handoff through production approval.
• Manage seasonal development calendars and milestone tracking to ensure deadlines are met.
• Coordinate sample development across all stages (proto, fit, and pre‑production) to ensure timely delivery and feedback.
• Identify potential development risks and escalate issues to support on‑time delivery.
• Partner with Raw Materials and Sourcing teams to track cost targets and maintain visibility throughout development.
• Own the costing calculation and be responsible for meeting margin goals.
• Serve as a key point of coordination between Design, Technical Design, Raw Materials, Sourcing, and Production.
• Translate design concepts into clear development requirements for vendors.
• Communicate with overseas vendors to track sample status, timelines, and development updates.
• Ensure vendors are meeting sampling timelines and development expectations.
• Collaborate with Technical Design to help maintain product intent through the development process.
• Evaluate construction feasibility and recommend improvements where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date product data in PLM systems.
• Participate in fittings, line reviews, and cross‑functional meetings to support the seasonal development process.
• Support process improvements and organizational initiatives across the product development lifecycle.
• Occasional travel to vendors, factories, or other business locations may be required.
• Support vendor communication and performance tracking throughout the development process.
• Prepare for milestone meetings, fittings, and line reviews.
• Maintain organized development documentation and records.

Additional Responsibilities

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 5–7 years of product development experience.
• Strong knowledge of garment construction, fit, grading, and fabrication.
• Experience working across multiple apparel categories.
• Experience with raw material development preferred.
• Overseas vendor communication and development experience.
• Ability to manage multiple seasonal deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong cross‑functional communication, partnership, and problem‑solving skills.
• Detail‑oriented with strong commercial awareness.
• Proficiency in PLM systems and Microsoft Office.
• Physical requirements: prolonged periods of sitting at a desk, working on a computer, standing and bending; ability to lift 15 pounds occasionally; ability to access and navigate various departments at the organization’s facilities.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match (eligibility based on hours worked).
• Generous paid time off and paid holidays.
• Hybrid or flexible work environment (role‑dependent).
• Company‑paid life insurance and disability coverage.
• Optional Critical Illness and Accident insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Clothing allowance and generous discounts on J.McLaughlin merchandise.
• Discretionary bonus opportunities (role‑dependent).
• Employee referral incentives and commuter benefits.

Pay

$80,000 – $95,000 depending on experience, skills, and qualifications.