Product Development Manager

Spanx

(Atlanta, Georgia)

Full Time Travel Required

Job Posting Details

About Spanx

Spanx founder Sara Blakely was getting ready for a party when she realized she didn’t have the right undergarment to provide a smooth look under white pants. Armed with scissors and sheer genius, she cut the feet off her control top pantyhose and the Spanx revolution began! With a focus on solving wardrobe woes, the Spanx brand has grown to offer bras, underwear, jeans, pants, active and more.

Summary

This role lead s the Design, Technical and PD team from concept to final development. They own the pre-production process, m anag ing the Product Calendar Timeline from Concept to Preproduction approval .

Responsibilities

* Main contact to the Vendor for all development
*  Costing
*  Partners with Product Development team to provide quick cost on concept styles
*  Negotiates first cost with the Vendor Works with the Design Team, Fabric team and Vendors to effectively solve and communicate any development issues
*  Ensure development tracking reports are updated and made available for weekly meetings in order to confirm that calendar dates and timelines are being adhered to
*  Ensure on time delivery and quality of protos, fit garments, and sales samples. 
*  Leads Runs weekly Vendor calls and internal development meetings.
*  Lead weekly Development Meetings
*  Leads pre-market and pre-buy BOM to ensure accuracy
*  Partners with the fabric team to position and allocate fabric for seasonal concepts
*  Attends fit sessions with Design and Technical 
*  Works with tech on wear test needs and communicating to vendor partners PLM Role – assigns development numbers, open new tech packs, sends seasonal concept tech packs to the factory
*  Prototype and Salesman Samples materials positioning, ordering/tracking
*  Travel overseas with Design and Technical for Development in collaboration with Production
*  Establish and monitor Category Development Calendars for PD areas
*  Responsible for upfront proto cost review
*  Direct design regarding preliminary costs

Main contact to the Vendor for all development
Costing
Partners with Product Development team to provide quick cost on concept styles
Negotiates first cost with the Vendor Works with the Design Team, Fabric team and Vendors to effectively solve and communicate any development issues
Ensure development tracking reports are updated and made available for weekly meetings in order to confirm that calendar dates and timelines are being adhered to
Ensure on time delivery and quality of protos, fit garments, and sales samples.
Leads Runs weekly Vendor calls and internal development meetings.
Lead weekly Development Meetings
Leads pre-market and pre-buy BOM to ensure accuracy
Partners with the fabric team to position and allocate fabric for seasonal concepts
Attends fit sessions with Design and Technical
Works with tech on wear test needs and communicating to vendor partners PLM Role – assigns development numbers, open new tech packs, sends seasonal concept tech packs to the factory
Prototype and Salesman Samples materials positioning, ordering/tracking
Travel overseas with Design and Technical for Development in collaboration with Production
Establish and monitor Category Development Calendars for PD areas
Responsible for upfront proto cost review
Direct design regarding preliminary costs

Ideal Candidate

College degree in Apparel/Textile Design/Development or in a related field of study
5-8 years of experience in Product Development and/or Sourcing for Intimates or Apparel
Interpersonal skills a must
Knowledge of costing, fitting, grading and construction and technologies relevant to apparel
Strong understanding of design, development and merchandising process from inception through production Ability to build collaborative cross functional relationships
Proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines
Proficiency in Outlook, Microsoft, Adobe Applications, PLM, etc.
Flexibility for domestic and international travel as needed