The Position: Product Developer, Apparel
Veltec Sports, Inc.
Position Description
Identification
Job Title: Product Developer, Descente
Athletic Apparel
Reports to: VP Softgoods
Department: Veltec Sports Inc., Soft
Goods
Job Focus and Goal
Combines technical product
development and preparation for production into an effective and efficient
team. You are responsible for developing cutting edge, high quality
product 95% on time, with less than 1% return rate and at a gross margins in
excess of 50%.
Job Summary
The focus of this position
will be the technical development and preparation of our products for flawless
bulk production. You will oversee the prototyping and sampling process
and all the related components. Enormous attention to detail and organizational
excellence is required. You will be the primary contact for factory
communications in regards to product creation so a high level of clarity is
required. On-time delivery, quality, appropriate utilization of capital,
increased inventory turns, sales increases, reduced obsolescence, reduced
overhead, precise cost accounting, margins and low return rates are the
measures of success.
Responsibilities
1.
Follow the detailed product development
calendar rigorously so that on-time delivery is assured.
2.
Assist in the development of the line
plan for each season including possible new styles, updates, colors, prints and
fabrics.
3.
Help determine and then finalize the best
raw material sources for fabrics, trims and findings. Develop these with
vendors and finalize specs so they are ready to buy.
4.
Always help to seek out possible new
manufacturers who provide the best balance between cost, quality, on-time
delivery, and value-added services.
5.
Work with established finished goods
manufacturers to develop all the styles for the upcoming season.
6.
Develop specification packages including
measurements and and technical drawings of all finished-goods styles that
will guide vendors making our products.
7.
Evaluate all prototypes through fit
sessions, measurements and testing and address any and all issues in a concise
way with manufacturers. Reduce the number of prototypes per style to 3 or less.
Average 2.
8.
Working with our production manager,
deliver photo and sales samples on time, correct to spec and cost effectively.
This is perhaps the most challenging action item on this job
description.
9.
Seek out cost reductions through product
design, manufacturing efficiencies, sourcing, and chargeback’s from
non-compliance issues.
10.
Ensure quality standards are being met in
all areas including construction, fabric pilling and dye fastness, fit
measurements, finish level, logo applications etc. Follow up on quality
problems as they develop and resolve to final solution with the rest of our
team.
11.
Maintain a well organized library of
fabric swatches, trims and other raw materials on a vendor by vendor basis.
Maintain the raw materials database (In Excel right now)
12.
Coordinate and organize lab dips for each
season so that each vendor delivers the colors we need for each specified
fabric, in a timely manner.
13.
Develop a stable of athletes to help
evaluate product function and report on results as necessary.
14.
Travel to vendors from time to time to
oversee, evaluate and direct production of prototypes, sales samples and
finished goods.
Position Type: Full Time
Country: United States
Willing to Relocate: Yes
Willing to Travel: Yes
Minimum Experience Required: 3-5 years
Contact Name: Hugh Walton
Direct Phone: 303-245-4885
Fax: 303-245-4887
E-mail: Hughwalton@Veltecsports.com
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