Product Development Manager

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.

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 .

* 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

* 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