Product Development Specialist

Civil Clothing Inc. is looking for a detail-driven Product Development Specialist, Non-Apparel to join our Darc Sport Product Development team in Torrance. In this role, you’ll help bring products beyond apparel to life, managing assigned categories from initial design handoff through production readiness. Your categories may span a wide range of products, including hats and headwear, bags and purses, drinkware and tumblers, posters and printed goods, toys, plush, accessories, collectibles, and other lifestyle products and hardgoods. Because the assortment can vary significantly from one product to the next, this role requires someone who is curious, adaptable, and comfortable learning new materials, construction methods, manufacturing processes, and vendor capabilities. You’ll partner with Design, Production, Planning, and domestic and overseas vendors to translate creative concepts into products that meet our expectations for quality, functionality, cost, and execution. You’ll own the day-to-day details that keep development moving, from samples, materials, colors, finishes, components, and packaging to costing, approvals, timelines, and vendor follow-up. What You’ll Do Product Development & Category Ownership Independently manage assigned non-apparel categories and products, including accessories, headwear, bags, drinkware, printed goods, toys, plush, collectibles, and other lifestyle products, from initial development through production readiness. Serve as the day-to-day Product Development contact for assigned categories, building strong knowledge of product construction, materials, components, finishes, and manufacturing requirements. Review prototypes, samples, and development submissions and coordinate comments, revisions, approvals, and next steps with Design and vendor partners. Ensure products meet approved design intent, functionality, quality expectations, and commercial requirements throughout development. Identify routine development issues and independently drive solutions, escalating significant risks or decisions when appropriate. Timeline & Development Calendar Management Own and maintain Time & Action calendars for assigned categories and products, ensuring development milestones remain on schedule. Track upcoming deadlines and proactively follow up with internal teams and vendors to keep development moving. Ensure specifications, artwork, materials, packaging requirements, approvals, and other necessary information are released according to established timelines. Identify delays, dependencies, or development risks early and work with internal and external partners to bring projects back on track. Communicate timeline risks, business impact, and recommended solutions when escalation is required. Create, maintain, and regularly update WIP reporting across assigned categories and collection deliveries. Maintain accurate visibility into sample status, revisions, approvals, outstanding decisions, and next steps. Track prototypes, development samples, approval samples, and other submissions throughout the development process. Maintain organized product specifications, development history, approvals, standards, and supporting documentation. Ensure product information and development status remain current across applicable systems and tracking tools. Coordinate the sourcing, development, and approval of materials, components, trims, hardware, colors, finishes, treatments, and other product-specific elements. Manage applicable color, finish, material, and component approvals and maintain organized standards and reference libraries. Partner with vendors to evaluate available materials and manufacturing capabilities based on product requirements. Identify potential material, construction, color, finish, quality, or feasibility concerns early and drive resolution with appropriate partners. Evaluate development submissions for consistency with approved standards and intended product execution. Coordinate development of product packaging, labeling, inserts, hangtags, and other product-specific components as applicable. Ensure packaging and product details align with approved creative direction, product requirements, and applicable standards. Maintain visibility across packaging artwork, samples, revisions, and approvals to ensure packaging development remains aligned with the overall product timeline. Costing & Commercial Execution Request and review initial product costing from vendors throughout development. Understand key product cost drivers, including materials, components, construction, finishes, packaging, tooling, and minimum order requirements. Conduct basic cost negotiations and identify opportunities to achieve established costing and margin objectives without compromising approved product intent or quality. Identify design, material, construction, or packaging decisions that may significantly affect cost and communicate those impacts early. Partner with management on final cost negotiations, significant cost challenges, and approval. Own day-to-day development communication with domestic and overseas vendors with minimal oversight. Build productive vendor relationships through clear expectations, timely feedback, consistent follow-up, and accountability. Communicate development status, outstanding needs, risks, and decisions clearly to the appropriate stakeholders. Operational Excellence Maintain accurate and organized development records, calendars, samples, standards, and product information across assigned categories. Take ownership of assigned development from handoff through production readiness. What You Bring Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Strong understanding of the product development lifecycle from initial concept and development through production readiness. Working knowledge of non-apparel product construction, materials, components, hardware, finishes, packaging, and manufacturing processes. Strong understanding of development calendars and the ability to anticipate deadlines, dependencies, and potential risks. Working knowledge of product costing, cost drivers, MOQs, and basic vendor negotiation. Proficiency in Excel, Outlook, and product development, PLM, or related systems. Education & Experience Associate or bachelor’s degree in Product Development, Industrial Design, Product Design, Merchandising, Business, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant professional experience will also be considered. 3+ years of product development experience across non-apparel consumer products, such as accessories, headwear, bags, drinkware, toys, plush, collectibles, hardgoods, jewlery or other lifestyle categories. Experience in fashion, fitness, streetwear, lifestyle, sporting goods, accessories, or another consumer-focused brand environment preferred. Physical & Mental Demands This role is primarily office-based with regular use of computers, product development systems, spreadsheets, and standard office equipment. Ability to sit or stand for extended periods and move throughout office, showroom, sample review, or product development environments as needed. Ability to occasionally lift, carry, or move product samples, materials, packaging, or other development items weighing up to 25 lbs., with or without reasonable accommodation. Visual requirements include close vision, color differentiation, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus when reviewing product samples, materials, finishes, colors, specifications, and digital information, with or without reasonable accommodation. Work requires sustained attention and concentration while reviewing product details, samples, specifications, costing, approvals, WIP reports, and development timelines. The role requires frequent shifting of attention between multiple products, vendors, samples, approvals, and concurrent development deadlines. Work may involve frequent interruptions, compressed development timelines, delayed samples, vendor issues, and time-sensitive approvals requiring prompt attention. Periods of increased workload and sustained concentration may occur surrounding seasonal development deadlines, sample reviews, costing milestones, and production handoffs. Flexibility to work additional hours may occasionally be required during critical development periods, product deadlines, or other business-driven needs. Why You’ll Love Working at Civil At Civil Clothing we foster a collaborative, fast-moving environment where ownership is valued, ideas are welcomed, and execution matters. You’ll work alongside passionate, experienced teams who care deeply about craftsmanship, accountability, and bringing product to market the right way. This role offers the opportunity to make a real impact, your decisions directly influence our product quality, timelines, and growth. If you thrive in a hands-on, solutions-driven environment and want your work to be seen, felt, and worn, you’ll feel right at home here. What We Offer Compensation: $75K – $80K annually, depending on experience and qualifications Medical, dental, and vision insurance Health Savings Account Life Insurance Pet Insurance Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 401(k) with company match Paid time off (PTO) Employee merchandise discounts Opportunity to grow with a respected and evolving apparel brand Equal Opportunity Employer Civil Clothing Inc. is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law. #J-18808-Ljbffr