Job Description
UNRL is seeking a talented and experienced Sr. Apparel Product Developer to join our team. You will be responsible for overseeing the development of new products, from concept to final sample. This involves building tech packs and communicating directly with our manufacturers to develop and evaluate proto samples until they are ready for bulk production. Developers are responsible for ensuring the final product meets (or exceeds) our quality standards, margin requirements, and deadlines. This role requires strong project management skills, along with a keen eye for garment construction, fit, materials and design details. Our ideal candidate is someone with at least five years of relevant experience in the apparel industry. We're looking for a go-getter who is passionate about creating some of the most innovative and versatile products on the market.
Responsibilities
- Design unique and innovative products that coincide with the UNRL brand aesthetic and meet our quality standards
- Build out comprehensive tech packs with clear instructions to turn design concepts into final production-ready prototypes
- Act as a responsible point of contact with our suppliers; Communicate product details, timelines, evaluation comments, and all other pertinent information
- Track and project manage developments to ensure production deadlines are met; Communicate updates across departments to keep all stakeholders informed
- Evaluate prototypes for Design, Fit, Fabric & Trims; Send evaluation comments to suppliers and fine-tune each garment until it is production-ready
- Measure garments to compare actuals against requested specs; Perform fit evaluations to analyze and adjust specs until the perfect fit is achieved
- Maintain a cohesive fit across our product lines by ensuring consistency in our grading process
- Establish target pricing and costing for new products; Work with suppliers to ensure gross margin requirements are met
- Research and identify trends to stay ahead of the athleisure industry; Curate inspiration decks, line sheets and assortment plans for seasonal collections
- Initiate internal and 3rd party wash & wear testing to ensure the functionality and durability of each garment
- Work with factories to ensure bulk quality matches the quality of approved prototypes; Enforce AQL standards within our factories and initiate internal quality inspections on bulk receives
- Manage and organize proto samples, lab dips, fabric swatches, trims and other materials
- Produce photoshoot-ready samples for Marketing team accompanied by a demo and product brief summarizing the key details for marketing campaigns
- Source new fabrics, trims and suppliers globally to ensure we are on the cutting edge of new innovations
Requirements
- 5+ years of experience in Product Development in grading, garment construction, and technical design processes specific to apparel
- 3+ years of experience measuring garments, creating spec sheets and grading tables
- Keen eye for identifying quality designs, textiles, trims, and workmanship
- Strong understanding of performance fabrics and garment construction is preferred
- Vast knowledge of sewing techniques, stitching properties and construction details
- Deadline and detail oriented with strong project management skills
- Strong problem-solving, organization, and communication skills
- Ability to operate in a fast-paced environment with a strong sense of urgency
- Experience with print/pattern and other graphic design styles is preferred
- Proficient in Adobe Illustrator
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel
- Experience with understanding costs and gross margins
- Experience with Clo3D is a bonus
- Passion for sport and athleisure apparel is preferred
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday
Application Question(s):
- How many years of product development experience do you have?
0-1 year
1-2 years
3-5 years
5-9 years
10-15 years
15-20 years
20+ years
- Which of the following categories of clothing are you experienced in working with? (Choose all that apply)
Men's Clothing
Women's Clothing
Kids Clothing
Accessories & Headwear
- Which of the following types of clothing are you experienced in working with? (Choose all that apply)
Athleisure
Sportswear
Activewear
Formalwear
Casualwear
Outerwear
Headwear
Bags & Accessories
Graphic Tees
Licensed/Logo Apparel
- Which types of manufacturing do you have experience with? (Choose all that apply)
Cut & Sew
Seamless (Tubular)
Knit Garments
Woven Garments
- Which of the following decoration methods are you well-experienced with? (Choose all that apply)
Embroidery
Screen Printing
Heat Transfers
Dye Sublimation Printing
Patch Design (PVC, Leather, etc.)
Embossing
- Which of the following would you consider a core skillset of yours? (Choose all that apply)
Tech Pack Development
Apparel Design (Creating CAD's)
Prototyping & Sample Development
Fit & Specs
Construction Techniques
Fabric & Textile Knowledge
Color Trends & Color Matching
Quality Assurance
Research & Trend Analysis
Graphic Design
- Which of the following general work areas do you excel at? (Choose all that apply)
Task Management & Prioritization
Effective Communication
Presentations & Product Demos
Timeline Management
Self-Starter
Quick Learner
Attention to Detail
Identifying Efficient Processes
Great Follow-Through
- What is your niche? If you had to identify your top 1-3 skills that set you apart from other product developers, what would those skills be?
- Our Ideal candidate is a highly motivated individual with an eye for quality design and workmanship. Someone with a passion for developing trend-setting products and innovative processes that will enable us to meet our product development goals. Explain why you would be a great fit for this position.
Ability to Commute:
- Saint Paul, MN 55114 (Preferred)
Ability to Relocate:
- Saint Paul, MN 55114: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
