{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"a4a6ea570f12e6202eece5d8","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/a4a6ea570f12e6202eece5d8","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/a4a6ea570f12e6202eece5d8","title":"Product Developer","description":"POSITION DESCRIPTION\n\nTitle & Reporting Relationships\n\nPosition Title:\n\nProduct Developer\n\nReports to:\n\nInterim Product Development Manager\n\nDepartment:\n\nSupply Chain\n\nOversees:\n\nNo Direct Reports\n\nInteractions:\n\nSourcing and Supply Chain\nMerchandising\nPlanning\nDesign\nFactories (Garment manufacturers)\nFabric Mills\nAccounts Payable\nCreative Services\nCustomer Service\nMarketing\n\nMain Purpose and Major Challenges of the Role\n\nOuterknown is deeply committed to creating a world where people and the planet prosper. Our mission is to protect workers and natural resources, reimagine design, and embrace circularity. To deliver on these commitments, we prioritize innovative solutions and responsibly sourced materials that align with both our brand and industry standards.\n\nWe are seeking a detail-oriented and innovative Product Developer with a strong understanding of the apparel market. This role will own specific development categories from concept to commercialization while building strong vendor relationships, and proactively manages internal cross functional partnerships to ensure clear communication, alignment, and seamless decision-making. The ideal candidate is technically skilled and passionate about creating high-quality, functional apparel that aligns with our brand vision.\n\nACCOUNTABILITY:\n\nProduct Development\nManage the end-to-end product development process for assigned categories, ensuring timelines, quality, and cost targets are met.\nPartner with merchandisers, designers and production team to translate concepts into commercially viable, high-quality products.\nLeverage fabric expertise to recommend materials and finishes that align with performance, durability, and aesthetic goals.\nEnsure that all product information is accurate in Backbone and Full Circle systems at all times during life cycle of the product and share updates of Tech Packs to the vendors.\nAttend fittings and share visual comments to vendors.\nManage the prototype and sampling process, ensuring timely reviews, comments, approvals, and delivery that align with the brand vision and quality standards.\nPartner with Technical Design and Production teams to communicate factory deadlines and approval processes, ensuring timely and high-quality product execution.\n\nFabric and Trims Knowledge\nCollaborate with mills and suppliers to source and develop fabrics and trims, ensuring compliance with performance, sustainability, and cost requirements.\nMaintain seasonal materials and oversee approvals for fabrics, washes, trims, and colors between Design and vendors.\nConduct fabric and trims testing and evaluations, ensuring materials meet brand and industry standards\nStay informed on fabric and trims trends and innovations, particularly in the lifestyle and surf markets, to drive product differentiation.\nManage and communicate raw-material lead-time at development and ensuring viable for bulk.\nCategory Ownership\nTake full ownership of specific categories, from initial development to final handoff to production.\nAnalyze market trends and competitive benchmarks to identify opportunities for growth and innovation within your assigned categories.\n\nVendor Relationships and Management\nEstablish and maintain strong partnerships with vendors, mills, and factories to ensure seamless development and production processes.\nNegotiate costs, lead times, and production schedules to optimize efficiency while maintaining quality standards.\nRegularly evaluate vendor performance, providing feedback and making recommendations for improvements or changes as necessary.\nCollaborate with vendors to troubleshoot and resolve any development or production challenges.\nTravel domestically and internationally, as needed, to build relationships, monitor development and ensure product standards are met.\n\nBrand mission:\nEnsure the alignment of product vision, quality, and functionality with the goal of minimizing environmental impacts.\nPartner with Interim Development Manager to execute product development strategies with a responsible purchasing mindset, minimizing waste from over-sampling and over-development.\nEnsure sustainable practices are embedded in every stage of the product development process, prioritizing practicality and efficiency.\nEncourage innovative solutions to reduce environmental impacts while maintaining design and quality standards.\nDemonstrate a passion for sustainability in all aspects of product development.\nFoster a high-performing, team-oriented, and cross-functional work environment.\n\nBalancing Multiple Stakeholder Needs:\nThe role requires balancing the needs of different stakeholders, including internal departments, customers, and vendors. Ensuring smooth communication and meeting diverse requirements can be challenging, especially when priorities shift.\n\nProvide leadership and mentorship to teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.\n\nESSENTIAL SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS\n\nMinimum 5 years apparel production/sourcing experience in domestic and international production. Demonstrate expertise in managing global supply chains and production processes.\nExperience in product development with deep knowledge of performance materials and trims\nStrong written and verbal communication skills\nProficient in creating and managing tech packs, with a strong background in product development\nDetail, skilled and highly organized at prioritizing multiple tasks and managing seasonal workflows to ensure deadlines and quality standards are met.\nStrong negotiation skills\nGood people management\nStrong team orientation\nProven experience having travelled and worked extensively with factories overseas","company":"Outerknown","rawCompany":"outerknown","city":"Carlsbad","state":"CA","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-04-14T10:23:48.017Z","occupations":[{"code":"27-1022.00","title":"Fashion Designers","slug":"fashion-designers"},{"code":"15-1252.00","title":"Software Developers","slug":"software-developers"},{"code":"51-6099.00","title":"Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other","slug":"textile-apparel-and-furnishings-workers-all-other"}],"industries":[{"code":"315250","title":"Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing (except Contractors)","slug":"cut-and-sew-apparel-manufacturing-except-contractors"},{"code":"315210","title":"Cut and Sew Apparel Contractors","slug":"cut-and-sew-apparel-contractors"},{"code":"315990","title":"Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing","slug":"apparel-accessories-and-other-apparel-manufacturing"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Product Developer","description":"POSITION DESCRIPTION\n\nTitle & Reporting Relationships\n\nPosition Title:\n\nProduct Developer\n\nReports to:\n\nInterim Product Development Manager\n\nDepartment:\n\nSupply Chain\n\nOversees:\n\nNo Direct Reports\n\nInteractions:\n\nSourcing and Supply Chain\nMerchandising\nPlanning\nDesign\nFactories (Garment manufacturers)\nFabric Mills\nAccounts Payable\nCreative Services\nCustomer Service\nMarketing\n\nMain Purpose and Major Challenges of the Role\n\nOuterknown is deeply committed to creating a world where people and the planet prosper. Our mission is to protect workers and natural resources, reimagine design, and embrace circularity. To deliver on these commitments, we prioritize innovative solutions and responsibly sourced materials that align with both our brand and industry standards.\n\nWe are seeking a detail-oriented and innovative Product Developer with a strong understanding of the apparel market. This role will own specific development categories from concept to commercialization while building strong vendor relationships, and proactively manages internal cross functional partnerships to ensure clear communication, alignment, and seamless decision-making. The ideal candidate is technically skilled and passionate about creating high-quality, functional apparel that aligns with our brand vision.\n\nACCOUNTABILITY:\n\nProduct Development\nManage the end-to-end product development process for assigned categories, ensuring timelines, quality, and cost targets are met.\nPartner with merchandisers, designers and production team to translate concepts into commercially viable, high-quality products.\nLeverage fabric expertise to recommend materials and finishes that align with performance, durability, and aesthetic goals.\nEnsure that all product information is accurate in Backbone and Full Circle systems at all times during life cycle of the product and share updates of Tech Packs to the vendors.\nAttend fittings and share visual comments to vendors.\nManage the prototype and sampling process, ensuring timely reviews, comments, approvals, and delivery that align with the brand vision and quality standards.\nPartner with Technical Design and Production teams to communicate factory deadlines and approval processes, ensuring timely and high-quality product execution.\n\nFabric and Trims Knowledge\nCollaborate with mills and suppliers to source and develop fabrics and trims, ensuring compliance with performance, sustainability, and cost requirements.\nMaintain seasonal materials and oversee approvals for fabrics, washes, trims, and colors between Design and vendors.\nConduct fabric and trims testing and evaluations, ensuring materials meet brand and industry standards\nStay informed on fabric and trims trends and innovations, particularly in the lifestyle and surf markets, to drive product differentiation.\nManage and communicate raw-material lead-time at development and ensuring viable for bulk.\nCategory Ownership\nTake full ownership of specific categories, from initial development to final handoff to production.\nAnalyze market trends and competitive benchmarks to identify opportunities for growth and innovation within your assigned categories.\n\nVendor Relationships and Management\nEstablish and maintain strong partnerships with vendors, mills, and factories to ensure seamless development and production processes.\nNegotiate costs, lead times, and production schedules to optimize efficiency while maintaining quality standards.\nRegularly evaluate vendor performance, providing feedback and making recommendations for improvements or changes as necessary.\nCollaborate with vendors to troubleshoot and resolve any development or production challenges.\nTravel domestically and internationally, as needed, to build relationships, monitor development and ensure product standards are met.\n\nBrand mission:\nEnsure the alignment of product vision, quality, and functionality with the goal of minimizing environmental impacts.\nPartner with Interim Development Manager to execute product development strategies with a responsible purchasing mindset, minimizing waste from over-sampling and over-development.\nEnsure sustainable practices are embedded in every stage of the product development process, prioritizing practicality and efficiency.\nEncourage innovative solutions to reduce environmental impacts while maintaining design and quality standards.\nDemonstrate a passion for sustainability in all aspects of product development.\nFoster a high-performing, team-oriented, and cross-functional work environment.\n\nBalancing Multiple Stakeholder Needs:\nThe role requires balancing the needs of different stakeholders, including internal departments, customers, and vendors. Ensuring smooth communication and meeting diverse requirements can be challenging, especially when priorities shift.\n\nProvide leadership and mentorship to teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.\n\nESSENTIAL SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS\n\nMinimum 5 years apparel production/sourcing experience in domestic and international production. Demonstrate expertise in managing global supply chains and production processes.\nExperience in product development with deep knowledge of performance materials and trims\nStrong written and verbal communication skills\nProficient in creating and managing tech packs, with a strong background in product development\nDetail, skilled and highly organized at prioritizing multiple tasks and managing seasonal workflows to ensure deadlines and quality standards are met.\nStrong negotiation skills\nGood people management\nStrong team orientation\nProven experience having travelled and worked extensively with factories overseas","datePosted":"2026-04-14T10:23:48.017Z","dateModified":"2026-04-14T10:23:48.017Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Outerknown","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Carlsbad","addressRegion":"CA","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"a4a6ea570f12e6202eece5d8"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/a4a6ea570f12e6202eece5d8"}}