Product Developer

Summary:

Partner with Design in developing future uniform development and spearhead the continual research & development of fresh and innovative textile and product solutions for Barco. Efficiently coordinate and execute the product development process from conceptual stage through design, development, launch and market rollout. Partner with Design, Sales, Sample Dept, Production, Planning and Quality Assurance to ensure a coordinated and efficient product engineering process. Collaborate with Design to procure critical design information related to the technical development requirements of a style or product including; material, trim and color direction, style intent and quality.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

Product Life Maintenance:

• Set up all styles in ERP (Style Master and BOM) by calendar due dates and update as needed
• Develop & maintain accurate and complete technical packages including technical sketches, BOM, construction details, size spec, and grading.
• Work with graphic designer or design department to coordinate artwork for packaging and/or garment embellishment (I.E. embroidery, screen-print, etc.)
• Publish production technical package to intranet and distribute to appropriate suppliers
• Attend garment fittings
• Ensure clear and concise comments on ATL approvals including lab dips, trims, fabric quality, counter/fit and pre-production samples to suppliers within timely manner
• Partner with QI dept to ensure all concepts, treatments and raw materials, construction and finished products meet Barco and customers required quality standard
• Maintain and manage tracking chart by style starting with development to the production roll out
• Finding and vetting manufacturers to produce specialized items (e.g., custom-branded jackets, tote bags, or hats) that meet specific budget and timeline requirements for corporate accounts.
• Translating a client's logo, brand colors, and messaging into practical manufacturing specifications (such as embroidery, screen printing, or dye-sublimation)
• Navigating the ASI network to research and procure blank garments or pre-made accessories to be customized
• Ensuring that all promotional apparel meets industry testing and safety standards (such as CPSIA regulations for children's items), which is highly critical in the branded merchandise sector.

Costing:

• Partner with Product Development Manager to achieve corporate target margins
• Assists in reviewing product to ensure continued improvement in product price, quality and deliveries
• Partner with Quality Assurance, Pattern Makers, and Design to ensure product is executable & profitable and according to construction and cost requirements
• Negotiate and counter source materials and trims domestically and overseas
• Set up Estimated & Actual cost sheets in Full Circle upon approval

Calendar (NPDL):

• Responsible for meeting all PD calendar target dates, including communicating and handling off all information for correct costing / BOM setup by calendar due dates

Product library:

• Establish, organize & maintain all approvals & new raw materials/ sample library for continual future development

Sampling:

• Responsible for clearly communicating salesmen sample requirements to Sample Dept and ensure on time quality salesmen sample 
• Reviewing pre-production prototypes to verify the quality of the fabric, imprint placement, and color accuracy before giving the green light for bulk production.

Other duties as needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities: No supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising, Product Development, Apparel Manufacturing, or related field preferred, or 3-5+ years of apparel product development experience, preferably within private label or high-volume retail environments.
• Experience in pattern/garment engineering preferred. 
• Visual acuity for analyzing textile samples and color
• Prior Uniform experience preferred
• Proven ability to manage large SKU counts and multiple product categories simultaneously.
• Strong knowledge of garment construction, textiles, costing, sourcing, and product lifecycle management (PLM) systems.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and project management skills.
• Ability to thrive in a deadline-driven, fast-paced environment while managing competing priorities.
• English speaking is required, second language preferred

• Illustrator, 
• Photoshop, 
• MS Excel, Word, and Power Point 
• Tech adaptable to ERP systems, I.e. Full Circle, etc.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include Close vision, Distance vision, Peripheral vision, Depth perception. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and reach with hands and arms.