Product Developer

Responsible for managing the development process for assigned apparel, accessory and/or equipment products by collaborating closely with cross-functional partners, liaison offices and finished goods manufacturers to ensure that design integrity, quality, and target cost/margin are achieved/exceeded and that products are commercialized within established timelines. Must remain true to the creative direction of Design/Merchandising while considering manufacturability of the product in bulk production.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Collaborate with Designer and Technical Designer to procure critical design information related to the technical development requirements of a style.
• Drive product development process from concept to commercialization through the use of digital and physical prototyping. Leverage digital development software solutions and reduce the dependency of physical prototypes. Maximize commercialization effectiveness that drives and delivers the brand promise to the Columbia Sportswear consumer.
• Responsible for initial product cost estimations based on interpretation of product briefs and designs by leveraging vendor's CM cost, profit and overhead.
• Responsible for the product costing lifecycle including profitability. Influence decisions throughout the commercialization process ensuring that margin targets are achieved or exceeded.
• Responsible for enhancing the technical design sketches through the use of Adobe Illustrator that will result in the creation of accurate prototypes that are representative of bulk production.
• Communicate all style development information to the appropriate liaison office, vendor or development center keeping them abreast of progress and changes.

• Responsible for product category creation of Bill of Materials, specifications, usages, measurements and construction.
• Responsible for the product category commercialization process by ensuring timely delivery of prototypes, cost, margin and production quality execution of sales samples.
• Create strong cross-functional team interaction with all Product Creation team members as well as manufacturers to ensure a coordinated and efficient process. Act as the face of Apparel Manufacturing throughout the commercialization process.
• Support Product Development leadership team on projects as needed.
• Stay up to date on current trends, understand the market and how it pertains to Columbia Sportswear consumers; keep abreast of product sales information.
• Fundamental knowledge of fabrics and trims associated with the development process.
• Ensure quality is maintained to established Columbia Sportswear standards through testing of fabrics, trims, embellishments, applications and other components that are critical to product integrity and consumer end use.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree specializing in related field and 3 - 5 years of experience in Product Development, Merchandising, Design or Pattern Making. 5+ years of experience without degree. Work experience directly related to apparel product development is desired.
• Fundamental knowledge of garment construction methods and manufacturing sewing operations, including pattern making, grading and marking processes.
• Possess strong working knowledge of materials and functional aspects of garments
• Possess strong organizational skills and ability to work under pressure, meet strict timelines and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

• Possess strong written and verbal communication skills to deal with various levels of management and employees within the organization as well as vendors and worldwide personnel. Ability to negotiate deadlines with cross-functional partners.

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITY

This job has no supervisory responsibility, but manages projects and end to end programs with moderate resource requirements, risk and/or complexity.

JOB SCOPE

Job generally involves a moderate degree of complexity in performing non-recurring work situations. Operate from some established procedures and receive supervision and guidance from Product Development Manager. Work is generally reviewed at most stages of a project or assignment over extended periods of time. Decisions are made within prescribed company policy guidelines and constraints.

JOB CONDITIONS

Job may require hours that often exceed 8 hours per day and/or 40 hours per week during peak periods. Physical ability to use telephone, computer hardware/software including keyboard, type, sit and stand for extended periods of time, and occasionally lift/carry up to 10 pounds. Exposure to a computer CRT.

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company.