Position Overview
The Apparel Product Developer will manage multiple apparel development programs while communicating directly with overseas factories, mills, trim suppliers, and internal teams.
The ideal candidate has strong knowledge of garment construction, textiles, fit, technical packages, sourcing, and apparel production. This person must be highly organized, familiar with imports, proactive, detail-oriented, and capable of identifying potential production issues before they affect quality, cost, or delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage the apparel product development process from initial concept through production handoff.
- Communicate daily with overseas factories, mills, trim suppliers, and vendors regarding development, costing, quality, and timelines.
- Create, update, and review tech packs, bills of materials, measurement specifications, construction details, and product documentation.
- Source and evaluate fabrics, trims, washes, labels, packaging, and other components through domestic and international suppliers.
- Track prototype, fit, salesman, pre-production, and approval samples.
- Review samples for construction, measurements, fit, workmanship, fabric quality, color, and overall appearance.
- Prepare clear and actionable fit comments, sample revisions, and factory instructions.
- Coordinate with design, production, merchandising, sourcing, and quality teams to meet development deadlines.
- Maintain development calendars, work-in-progress reports, approval records, and vendor communication history.
- Proactively follow up on outstanding samples, lab dips, strike-offs, trims, testing, approvals, costing, and production requirements.
- Identify potential manufacturing, construction, fit, costing, or quality issues during development and recommend solutions.
- Verify that products meet applicable quality, compliance, performance-testing, and packaging requirements before production.
- Assist with basic graphic, artwork, color, layout, and product-presentation needs using Adobe Illustrator.
- Support the aesthetic direction of projects while protecting product feasibility and manufacturability.
- Build productive, long-term relationships with overseas manufacturing partners.
- Identify opportunities to improve development efficiency, reduce unnecessary costs, and streamline communication and approval processes.
- Ensure a smooth and organized transition from product development into bulk production.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum of three years of apparel product development, technical design, production, or closely related experience.
- Direct experience communicating with overseas apparel factories and suppliers.
- Strong understanding of garment construction, textiles, trims, patternmaking, fit, measurements, and manufacturing processes.
- Experience independently creating, updating, and reviewing apparel tech packs and bills of materials.
- Ability to review samples and provide clear technical and aesthetic comments.
- Strong organizational and project-management skills.
- Ability to manage multiple styles, vendors, samples, and deadlines simultaneously.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Adobe Illustrator.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to identify potential production problems early.
- Ability to work on-site at our Commerce, California office.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience developing activewear, golf apparel, performance apparel, sportswear, or lifestyle products.
- Experience working with factories in South Korea, Vietnam, China, or India.
- Familiarity with performance fabrics, fabric testing, lab dips, strike-offs, sublimation, digital printing, and functional finishes.
- Experience using PLM, ERP, or apparel production-management systems.
- Experience assisting with graphics, artwork development, colorways, or product presentations.
- Existing relationships with fabric, trim, packaging, testing, or manufacturing suppliers.
What Success Looks Like
- Development deadlines and approvals are consistently met.
- Factories receive accurate, complete, and easy-to-understand instructions.
- Potential production issues are identified before bulk manufacturing.
- Tech packs, WIP reports, and approval records remain accurate and current.
- Products meet the company’s standards for fit, appearance, construction, quality, and cost.
- Development transitions into production with minimal confusion, delay, or rework.
How to Apply
Please submit your resume along with examples of relevant product-development work. Applicants may provide a portfolio, line sheets, technical drawings, or redacted tech pack samples that do not contain confidential information from previous employers.
United Apparel Group is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, business needs, and the ability to perform the responsibilities of the position.
Pay: $48,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
