Sr. Apparel Product Developer

JOIN THE BEST TEAM IN SPORT & SPIRIT

At Varsity Brands, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed and every educator wants to make a difference. It takes a team to make a real impact, and through our two divisions – BSN SPORTS and Varsity Spirit – and our network of 6,000+ employees and independent representatives, we are proud to partner with a wide range of educational institutions and club and professional sports to transform the student journey in SPORT and SPIRIT.

WORK TYPE: Hybrid

LOCATION DETAILS: 14460 Varsity Brands Way, Farmers Branch, TX 75244

Please note: This position does not offer relocation assistance. Candidates must be able to work from the designated location without company-sponsored relocation

WORK HOURS: M-F, 8-5p / 9-6p (Friday WFH)

TRAVEL

Travel is required, including internationally.  10 – 15% is estimated.   

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

The Senior Apparel Product Developer at Varsity Brands is responsible for successfully driving the development of seasonal products from concept through production readiness.  You will be the expert for your category and will work with internal / external teams where you are the business driver for successful product launch.  You will work extensively with Merchandising, Sourcing, Planning, Sampling, QA, and internal / external manufacturing partners.   

The Senior Apparel Product Developer will manage product lines within Varsity Brands.  They will manage and execute the effective implementation and distribution of new products for their organizations, drive and execute launch aspects, and verify that quality control complies with all project requirements.  The Senior Apparel Product Developer will deliver approved projects on time, within budget, and with quality results.  

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Work closely with the Licensing Merchandising and Category Management Teams to understand the vision and direction of the product. 

• Be the go-to expert in your assigned category. 

• Work with the project manager and be the go-to expert on the commercialization calendar.  

• Work with your internal teams, other internal teams, and manufacturing partners to advance a product from prototype stages to successful production.  

• Bring technical knowledge to the team as it relates to your product and product category.  

• Work with Costing Teams, both externally and internally, to bring profitable products to the market.  

• Work with your team and the factories to analysis product changes if costing does not meet expectations, communicate recommended changes to Merchandising.   

• Work with the Merchandising and Category Management Teams to clearly understand the project timeline and adhere to milestones and deliverables. 

• Work with design and engineering to help transition design prototypes into cost-efficient and high-volume products. 

• Troubleshoot design, material, and trim details to execute the desired design and product. 

• Work with Category Management Team to deliver and communicate technical packages (Tech Packs) to our manufacturing partners. 

• Works closely with the supply chain team to bring successful, profitable, and quality products to our customers. 

• Works closely with Product Quality Teams to ensure that all assigned projects meet the demanding standards of Varsity Brands.  

• Works with internal and external testing labs to ensure the product hurdles all quality parameters for product release. 

• Partners closely with internal and external Material Developers to effectively develop new materials, trims, and fabric.  

• Monitor status of all new products and ensure effective execution of projects according to required policies, procedures, and government regulations. 

• Monitor operations of products and evaluate designs to ensure adherence to all design and manufacture principles. 

• Analyze and recommend improvements to all production processes and methods to facilitate cost reduction and quality improvement. 

• Analyze and recommend corrective action in case of any design failure. 

• Coordinate with senior management to maintain knowledge of product status and prepare appropriate reports. 

QUALIFICATIONS

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

• The ability to communicate in an open and honest way that quickly builds trust and respect. 
• Apparel technical expert as it relates to construction, fit, and function.
• Knowledge of fabrics is a must.  Including circular, warp, woven.  
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, PLM, and AS400 with an aptitude for learning latest programs.
• Extensive knowledge of product development processes is necessary.
• Excellent analytical, verbal, and written skills with strong attention to detail.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle critical deadlines/prioritize work and business processes and able to multi-task regularly.
• Must have affinity for problem solving, exposure or experience in Manufacturing, Quality Excellence, Strategic thinking, listen to our internal customers, and perform in the most professional manner. 
• The ideal candidate should be flexible during times of change, comprehend business operation and provide quality insight on how to achieve goals and ensure business success. 
• Participate in continuous improvement projects and lean principles, ideally within apparel manufacturing. 
• Bilingual is a PLUS. (English/Spanish)

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• College degree in Fashion, Business Administration, Project Management, Engineering, or experience required.
• 5 - 8 years of related product development to include design and manufacturing.
• Experience communicating via virtual meetings with Microsoft Teams, Citrix Webex, Zoom, GoToMeeting.
• Experience with Outlook calendar scheduling a plus.
• Experience in PLM, OMS and AS400 a plus

Physical Demands and/or Work Environment  

This is a 70% sedentary role and 30% active; It is necessary for this role to walk in all the departments to follow up on completion of assignments and check on all samples. This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.

Other Duties 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

#LI-KG1

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job.

OUR VALUES

Service - We lead with heart. We champion community.

Passion - We love what we do. It fuels our purpose.

Integrity - We do what we promise. We own our actions and decisions.

Respect - We earn it by giving it. Because everyone deserves it.

Innovation - We never stop striving to be better. For ourselves and our community.

Transparency - We are committed to openness and honesty in everything we do.

OUR BENEFITS

We are committed to putting you and your families first. For benefits eligible roles, we offer a variety of choices and costs as well as program enhancements that align with our responsibility to elevate the employee experience. Some of our offerings include:

• Comprehensive Health Care Benefits
• HSA Employer Contribution/ FSA Opportunities
• Wellbeing Program
• 401(k) plan with company matching
• Company paid Life, AD&D, and Short-Term Disability
• Generous My Time Off & Paid Holidays
• Varsity Brands Ownership Program
• Employee Resource Groups
• Access to Financial Coaching and member-owned Credit Union
• St. Jude Partnership & Volunteer Opportunities
• Employee Perks including discounts on personal apparel and equipment!

Varsity Brands companies are equal opportunity employers. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran’s status, age or disability.