Custom Product Developer

What's the Short Version?

The Custom Product Developer supports the Product Development Manager with various product categories and tasks. They collaborate on design, quality testing, and product and sample tracking with other teams. The Custom Product Developer provides administrative and creative support while leading the product development process. The ideal candidate possesses the ability to provide exceptional customer service while finding creative solutions with our factory partners to meet the customer's project needs.

What Will You Be Doing?

• Work with customers to identify and qualify new product opportunities.
• Support the product creation process through a complete cycle.
• Assist the Product Development Manager with quote sheets and customer communication.
• Participate and lead customer meetings as needed.
• Coordinate the development of fabric, trims and styles and facilitate approvals between the customer and the factory.
• Build and maintain the Product Development portion of technical product specifications (BOM, trims, labels, packaging, and associated technical images as needed).
• Responsible for preparing and sending lab-dip requests to vendors and collaborating with the color team and merchandisers on Lab-Dip and Bulk Color submissions while providing business demand and inventory status into decisions.
• Initiate testing with quality team during development and beginning production stages; communicate with Suppliers, Quality Assurance and Merchandisers on ITS testing results and approvals; maintain all tested materials and samples.
• Manage ELC chart and maintain seasonal costing quotes with managers’ guidance.
• Maintain the fabric swatch library, Top of Production sample library, style files, and sample racks; execute photo shoot and salesman samples process on a seasonal basis.
• Manage prototypes, photo shoots, and sales sample reviews.
• Manage, organize, lead, and follow up on Compliance/Classification/Safety requirements for products in the development cycle.
• Identify and resolve issues that arise during production.
• Lead product development process improvement.
• Review and comment on Pre-Production/Top of Production samples with Tech Design partners.
• Administer the resourcing process of current products and programs.
• Support Assistant Product Developers with various production duties, including order collaboration, OSR tracking, and ERP data entry as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Comply with all policies and standards.

What Are We Looking For?

• 4-6 years of apparel or industry experience or equivalent education
• A existing knowledge of the SanMar catalog is a plus.
• Computer skills, proficient with Microsoft Excel, other Microsoft office applications and general data base software.
• Knowledge of garment construction and raw materials.
• High level ability to organize, communicate effectively and meet deadlines.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to clearly articulate goals and objectives.
• Strong information seeking and problem-solving skills, with a drive to make things happen.
• Ability to lead understanding of the design and development process from inception through final adoption and production delivery with the ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.

What's Our Offer?

Salary Range: You`ll earn between $32.56 - $38.46 on an hourly basis, depending on experience.

Bonus: You`ll be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus up to 10% of base salary.

Paid Time Off: You`ll accrue paid time off on a weekly basis based on hours worked up to 112 hours per year to start. Employees also receive 8 paid holidays and 1 paid family day off.

Additional Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
• 401k plan and matches $1 for $1 up to 4% of earnings, matched & vested at every pay cycle
• Life insurance
• Short/long-term disability coverage
• Paid maternity/paternity leave
• Pet insurance

What Should You Expect?

Hybrid: SanMar's Eastpointe office is located in Issaquah, WA in the Seattle metropolitan area. Employees are required to work in our offices Tuesday through Thursday each week and additional days may be added based on business needs. Our standard working hours are 8:00-5:00 PST. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle or feel. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Work environment is moderately quiet. Ability to work on computer for multiple hours with frequent interruptions. Quarterly travel may be required.