Product Development Coordinator

The Associate Product Developer, Sampling is an individual contributor responsible for coordinating the end-to-end sampling process, from prepositioning sample yardage to ordering and tracking garment samples. This person plays a key role in the total product development process, collaborating with Design, PD and Merchant teams to ensure accurate and timely representation of the assortment to support business decision-making and creatives needs. As the point person for all things sampling for their designated product categories, this person will also be responsible for readiness reporting at a material- and style-level leading up to key milestones.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Ordering sample yardage at a greige and color-level to support color samples within PLM system

· Vendor/supplier invoice processing for all sample yardage and sample-making costs, where applicable

· Ownership of all sampling-related needs for designated product categories, ensuring accurate and timely receipt of garment samples

· Maintaining consistent communication with vendors and suppliers, ensuring adherence to brand calendar

· Liaising between cross-functional partners including Design, Product Development, Raw Materials, Print and Color, Marketing and Merchandising and external vendor and supplier partners as needed

· Attending weekly cross-functional meetings to understand product assortment, business priorities, and represent for all sampling-related topics

· Maintaining seasonal sample yardage cost and readiness reporting, to be published to leaders and the business, respectively

· Keeping seasonal sample tracker updated, providing readiness reporting to teams leading up to key milestone meetings

. Frequently moves boxes weighing up to 30 pounds between work areas. Hangs and arranges product samples for display. Maneuvers rolling racks between work areas and meeting rooms. Packs product samples for shipping.

· Support building leadership dashboards, providing headlines and metrics ahead of milestone meetings

· Observing business processes, anticipating potential needs, and uncovering areas for improvement

· Prioritize workload based on business needs and requirements; manage competing deliverables and business priorities

QUALIFICATIONS

· Bachelor’s degree in product development or related area or equivalent experience

· 1 – 3 years of related experience

· Demonstrate strong, consistent problem-solving abilities and result-driven communication with business partners

· Experience with and/or basic fabric knowledge is plus

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills, computer proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook

· Knowledge of the product lifecycle, especially in a retail setting

· Must be organized; Have strong collaboration, communication and interpersonal skills

· Basic knowledge of PLM (Centric is a plus!)