Sr. Product Development Coordinator

Sr. Product Development Coordinator

The Sr. Product Development Coordinator manages the end-to-end product development process from concept through production handoff, ensuring products are developed on schedule, meet quality standards, and remain true to design intent. This role serves as a key liaison between Design, Technical Design, Sourcing, Sales, suppliers, and domestic and international manufacturing partners to ensure right-first-time product and sample execution.

Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day product lifecycle for assigned categories, from fabric sourcing and style development through final bulk production handoff.
• Partner with Design to execute seasonal product and program objectives, ensuring products are developed, reviewed, and approved accurately and efficiently.
• Manage domestic and overseas sample development, coordinating materials, vendors, sample rooms, factories, and all other aspects of execution to meet development timelines and quality standards.
• Lead local sample development by sourcing fabrics and coordinating with printers, dye houses, trim suppliers, and the in-house sewing room to ensure timely and accurate sample production.
• Source and procure fabrics, trims, washes, embellishments, prints, and other raw materials required for product and sample development.
• Partner with Technical Design to ensure specifications and patterns are received on time and accurately reflect product requirements.
• Maintain seasonal sample trackers, WIP reports, and development calendars, providing Design, Sales, and cross-functional partners with accurate, real-time status updates.
• Communicate regularly with overseas factories and sample rooms to monitor development, resolve issues, and ensure samples are delivered according to established timelines.
• Manage color and material development by reviewing and communicating feedback on lab dips, strike-offs, print approvals, and other supplier submissions.
• Track and review sample submissions, coordinating revisions and corrections with factories and sample rooms to ensure alignment with design intent, quality standards, and milestone dates.
• Coordinate internal sample reviews and presentations and prepare approved samples for shipment to customers for line review, adoption, and final consideration.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with domestic and international suppliers, factories, service providers, and overseas offices to support efficient development and timely problem resolution.
• Proactively identify and resolve development risks, sourcing challenges, and production issues while maintaining seasonal calendars and business objectives.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising, Product Development, Apparel Manufacturing, Textile Science, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.
• 3–5+ years of Product Development experience within the apparel industry.
• Experience developing products for children's apparel, private label, or licensed brands.
• Experience working with both domestic sample rooms and overseas manufacturing partners.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of product development from concept through production handoff.
• Strong knowledge of apparel construction, garment manufacturing, fabrics, trims, washes, embellishments, and print techniques.
• Experience sourcing fabrics, trims, and sample materials from domestic and international suppliers.
• Experience working directly with overseas factories and global vendors.
• Understanding of garment costing and sourcing strategies.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced, multi-channel environment.
• Detail-oriented, adaptable, and able to work independently while shifting priorities as needed.
• Proactive approach to product categories with strong initiative and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships across departments, vendors, suppliers, and international offices.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate professionally across global teams.
• Proficiency with PLM systems, Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.