Position

Senior Product Developer

Company

The company is mainly engaged in the design, development and production of knitted and woven garments such as activewear, yoga wear, swimwear and cycling etc.

Location

Ningbo, China

Report to

Account Manager

Job Summary

A Merchandiser Supervisor (Senior Product Developer) would join the organization with complete knowledge of garment development from initial design concept, sourcing, and technical design to bring a garment to life and follow it though bulk production. They are the key point of contact for the customer in garment development. They take full ownership of managing the sample development and bulk production process, including communicating customer requirements to the technical team, identifying sewing and technical risks before production, and presenting high-quality samples. They also work closely with the Purchasing, Production planning, and Subcontract sourcing team to ensure orders run smoothly and accurate production allocations are made in advance.

Responsibilities

Ÿ   Product Development

Ÿ   Execute seasonal Critical Path & prepare the timeline when sample developments start.

Ÿ   Participate in the seasonal handovers with the customer to study TPs

Ÿ   Get clarity on unit estimates and cost targets per style during handover.

Ÿ   Make product suggestions on fabric, trims, and construction to achieve clients' design and cost goals while being viable for bulk production

Ÿ   Risk assess and identify any potential production and QC issues and offer resolutions before proceeding to development/bulk

Ÿ   Clarify any questions before passing to the factories to start development

Ÿ   Follow up with the sample room or subcontract factory for sample development status and related technical communications.

Ÿ   Active participation in fittings with the customer where required to provide necessary assistance.

Ÿ   Study customer proto/submit comments for accuracy and clarity before releasing to sample room or subcontract factories.

Ÿ   Work with customers to gain clarity where needed

Ÿ   Effectively filter questions from sample room and technical teams before reaching out to the customer

Ÿ   Proactive follow-up with the customer for comments to maintain the Critical Path timeline

Ÿ   Clear understanding of new fabric sourcing limitations regarding price, leadtime, and MOQ/MCQ

Ÿ   Has a functional understanding of fabric properties and limitations with the ability to confidently pull headers for customer consideration

Ÿ   Samples

Ÿ   Review all finished samples to ensure overall accuracy and acceptable quality

Ÿ   Fabric hand feel and appearance

Ÿ   Construction details and quality

Ÿ   Trim accuracy

Ÿ   Measuring to spec

Ÿ   Correct labelling

Ÿ   Send all samples to the customer along with their specific documentation requirements

Ÿ   Responsible for recording tracking information and communicating shipments to customer

Ÿ   Record all samples in the Sample Register daily with requested invoicing information

Ÿ   Reports

Ÿ   Update the seasonal development and bulk WIPs every week to be shared with the customer.

Ÿ   Work with PPC or subcontract factory to update the PSR every week.

Ÿ   Participate in weekly development and production meetings with customers and factories to ensure adherence to Critical Path.

Ÿ   Purchase Orders and Production

Ÿ   Check POs and Order List thoroughly before passing them to the team to arrange bulk material purchasing with factories.

Ÿ   Work with customers to receive sample comments before booking bulk materials for new developments.

Ÿ   Work with PPC or subcontract factories to quote the best garment XFD.

Ÿ   Monitor the material purchasing status to ensure the material arrives at the factory on time. This includes:

Ÿ   Internally reviewing all shipping sample submissions for accuracy before sending them to the customer.

Ÿ   Troubleshooting issues with the mills before informing the customer of the problem.

Ÿ   Sending all reviewed shipping samples to the customer for final approval.

Ÿ   All required lab testing passes and is approved by the customer.

Ÿ   Follow up the PP sample making and signoff for bulk production.

Ÿ   Arrange and attend the preproduction meeting with factories.

Ÿ   Follow the bulk production status and provide weekly PSR updates to customers.

Ÿ   Receive and review the TOP samples and submit them for timely customer approval.

Ÿ   Report any garment delivery slide or extension immediately and find a solution with SMS and AM before reporting to the customer.

Ÿ   Arrange inline or final inspection with factories (if any 3rd party inspection requests, work with the factory to make a booking and facilitate the necessary document).

Ÿ   Submit overage/shortage reports to SMS or AM to communicate with customers before shipment.

Ÿ   If outside of the customer's acceptable tolerance work on a solution with the SMS or AM and factory on how to resolve before they reach out to the customer

Ÿ   Submit the QC reports to SMS or AM if the customer requests.

Ÿ   Costing

Ÿ   Collect all costing elements to complete the costing for AM within two working days after the sample is dispatched to the customer.

Ÿ   Maintain a clear costing file and records

Ÿ   Submit costing update after each sample iteration

Ÿ   Conduct costing modification based on customer requests, such as flash costing, cost reduction trials, etc.

Ÿ   System Related Tasks

Ÿ   Manage timeline or WIP in Mondays (for ASRV, RHONE, JOHNNIE-O)

Ÿ   Download TPs and comments in BeProduct for styles designed by the company (Peloton, SDR, Taylormade, JO)