Job Description

SENIOR PRODUCT DEVELOPER Herschel Supply Co. is looking for a Senior Product Developer to join our Product Development Team. The successful candidate is a self led, motivated individual who is passionate about the full product lifecycle. You have an eye for detail and the ability to flex with ever changing business needs.
The Senior Product Developer contributes to the product development and production processes, managing products from conception through to production. This includes but is not limited to: fit & construction development, material development, cost negotiations, factory allocation recommendations and proofing customer facing assets, while meeting quality standards, cost & delivery targets. Our Senior Product Devleopers are category experts, communicating daily with vendors as well as internal cross functional teams; in a timely, efficient, and professional manner.
THE ROLE
A DAY IN THE LIFE Our workplace is dynamic, supportive and entrepreneurial in spirit, and we pride ourselves on being a collaborative, open-minded and an imaginative team.
On a day-to-day basis, the Senior Product Developer will:

• Be responsible for development of owned category from spec pass to production
• Collaborate with designers and merchants to clarify each design in order to re-interpret to overseas vendors to ensure production and manufacturing appropriateness
• Negotiate cost during prototyping to achieve target margins
• Create and maintain accurate specifications and Bill of Materials in PLM system
• Collaborate with Design to ensure products meet established fit and measurement standards
• Track, manage, and review samples throughout development process from inception to production and proactively address any conflicts or delays that arise
• Inspect and measure products prior to and during fitting, recommend changes and techniques to ensure that product quality, productivity, cost and margin goals are maintained
• Provide factory with detailed instructions along with photos for any changes that must be made to samples
• Report any sample inconsistencies to cross functional departments prior to photoshoots and sales meetings
• Manage wear/wash testing program to ensure quality standards are met
• Partner with QA & Compliance Manager to ensure the finest quality and appropriate material/product testing
• Develop and maintain vendor relationships through communication and weekly calls
• Develop hangtag and packaging
• Develop trims, labels, fabrics and other raw materials according to design direction ensuring material specification, aesthetic and target prices are met
• Organize and maintain sample libraries
• Initiate & execute continuous process improvement
• Support Product Development Manager in mentoring/training Jr team members and leading by example
• Key user for PLM system: implementation, process improvement, training team members
• Project management and team lead on Special Projects
• Support Product Development Manager in tracking and communicating team metrics

• 6+ years developing Apparel and/or Bags
• Diploma or degree in Fashion Design
• Exemplary computer skills in Adobe illustrator, Excel and Microsoft office

• Experience mentoring, training or leading others an asset
• Comprehensive understanding of preparing soft goods for production readiness
• Strong technical construction knowledge and processes for product manufacturing
• Experience in pattern making
• Excellent understanding of fit and aesthetics
• Strong organizational skills, works well work under pressure while adapting to an ever evolving environement
• Ability to work & communicate efficiently with internal and external teams in a professional manner
• Fluent in communicating with factories and vendors locally and offshore
• Strong understanding of Product Development Lifecycle, including cross functional team needs
• Experience working in PLM software an asset