Product Development Assistant

Overview Veronica Beard is seeking a highly organized, detail-oriented Product Development Assistant to support the development of women's soft woven apparel from initial concept through production handoff. This is an entry-level opportunity for someone eager to build a career in apparel product development and learn within a fast-paced, collaborative environment. The ideal candidate is proactive, dependable, comfortable managing multiple priorities, and able to communicate clearly and professionally with internal partners and overseas vendors. Responsibilities Support the day-to-day product development process for women's soft woven apparel, ensuring samples, data, and deliverables remain organized and on schedule. Set up seasonal work-in-progress (WIP) templates and enter updates received from overseas vendors, including sample status, shipment tracking information, and fabric-ready dates; help identify missing information and flag discrepancies or potential delays to the Product Development team leader. Communicate clearly, accurately, and promptly with overseas vendors regarding sample status, development requests, comments, timing, and follow-up actions. Create and maintain accurate product information in PLM and related systems, including style details, colorways, components, and bills of materials (BOMs). Build and update BOMs for repeat, carryover, and expanded bodies under the direction of the Product Development team. Track incoming and outgoing development samples and packages; receive, unpack, log, organize, and distribute samples and materials. Prepare shipments to overseas vendors and cross-functional partners, including packing, documentation, courier coordination, and tracking through delivery. Maintain an organized sample room and storage system; steam, label, hang, file, and pull samples as needed for reviews, fittings, and meetings. Support preparation for milestone and cross-functional meetings, including organizing samples and materials, coordinating schedules when needed, setting up rooms, and ensuring required information is available. Attend meetings prepared to take clear notes, capture decisions and action items, distribute recaps as requested, and follow through on assigned next steps. Partner cross-functionally with Design, Technical Design, Raw Materials, Merchandising, Production, and other teams to support seasonal development needs. Help provide day-to-day direction and task coordination for the Product Development intern, and support ad hoc projects and administrative needs as assigned. Qualifications Bachelor's or associate degree in Fashion Design, Product Development, Apparel Production, Merchandising, Textiles, or a closely related fashion/apparel field is preferred. Internship experience or up to 1–2 years of experience in apparel product development, production, sourcing, technical design, or a related fashion function preferred. Foundational understanding of apparel product development, garment construction, fabric, trims, and the product lifecycle; women's apparel experience is a plus. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the judgment to communicate professionally and efficiently across time zones. Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to maintaining accurate product data, trackers, samples, and documentation. Strong organizational, time-management, and follow-through skills; able to prioritize competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, and Outlook with the ability to organize, maintain, and communicate accurate information. Familiarity with PLM systems is preferred. Experience with VibeIQ and/or Exenta is a plus. Comfortable with hands-on sample-room responsibilities, including receiving cartons, packing shipments, steaming garments, and organizing samples. Proactive, resourceful, collaborative, and willing to ask thoughtful questions while taking ownership of assigned work. Curiosity, accountability, and a team-first attitude with a genuine interest in working on physical product. The hourly rate for this role is between $24.00 and $25.00. The relevant hourly rate will vary depending on wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to, skill sets, experience, training, degrees, and certifications. The hourly rate is just one component of our total compensation offerings, which consist of a comprehensive benefits package as well as a short-term incentive program, clothing allowance, and merchandise discounts. At Veronica Beard, we are committed to creating and maintaining a workplace where every single employee can thrive and feel valued. As a company, we firmly believe that there is strength in diversity. We seek to recruit talent from a variety of perspectives and backgrounds and are actively seeking candidates with a dedication to advancing equity, inclusion, and racial and social justice in their work. Veronica Beard is committed to an environment of mutual respect and is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer. No employee or applicant is discriminated against because of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. #J-18808-Ljbffr