Associate Product Developer, retail/apparel

Our client, a leading specialty retail brand, is looking for an Associate Product Developer to join their Product Development team. This is an individual contributor role responsible for coordinating product development and execution from design intent through production. You will create and maintain development documents and reports, keeping timelines on track across sample tracking, systems maintenance, and cross-functional communication. This role may support more than one product category.

This position sits within Product Development and works closely with Design, Merchandising, Production, and Raw Materials.

What You'll Do

• Support development of new products from design ideation through final sample approvals, including attending milestone meetings such as tech pack pass-off, Color Blitz, Line Review, and Details meetings
• Support tech pack pass-off at the category level, partnering with Design and regional offices to answer development questions
• Initiate proto and all color sample requests with vendors and regional offices
• Track sample readiness for color samples and protos
• Check samples for accuracy and work with vendors and regional partners on quality callouts
• Create and maintain seasonal development trackers
• Manage all BOMs in Centric PLM
• Communicate with the vendor base on any changes to BOMs or color components throughout the development cycle
• Troubleshoot development issues related to construction, production execution, and sample tracking
• Compile data and reporting to support cross-functional risk assessment and weekly product readiness meetings

A Typical Day

Ordering, managing, and tracking samples; checking in samples; attending weekly cross-functional team meetings; responding to vendor emails; and working in Excel reporting.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in business or a related field, or equivalent experience
• 1 to 3 years of related experience (recent graduates with at least 6 months of work experience or a relevant internship will be considered)
• Detail-oriented and organized with consistent follow-through
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Experience working with Design and/or Merchandising
• Experience working with overseas suppliers, agents, or offices
• Flexible and adaptable to change, and a team player

Nice to Have

• Working knowledge of Centric PLM
• Basic knowledge of accessories development, sourcing, and costing
• Prior product development or accessories product experience

Who Succeeds Here

Positive attitude, outgoing, collaborative, and able to stay calm and adaptable during high-volume periods. Strong communicators do well on this team.

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About Aquent Talent:

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world's biggest brands.

Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match.

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We're about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.