Product Developer

Position Summary

Mad Engine Global is seeking a creative, highly organized, and detail-oriented Product Developer to join our Design team. This role is responsible for managing the product development process from concept through production handoff, ensuring products meet design intent, quality standards, customer expectations, and seasonal timelines.

Working closely with Design, Merchandising, Technical Design, Production, Sourcing, Licensing, Sales, and overseas vendor partners, the Product Developer will help bring licensed and private label apparel collections to market for major mass-market retailers.

The ideal candidate has strong apparel product development experience, understands garment construction and manufacturing, and thrives in a fast-paced environment where multiple product categories and deadlines must be managed simultaneously.

Key Responsibilities

Product Development

• Manage the product development process from initial concept through production handoff.
• Partner closely with Designers to execute seasonal collections that align with customer needs and brand standards.
• Manage seasonal Time & Action (T&A) calendars and ensure all development milestones are achieved on schedule.
• Coordinate development calendars across multiple product categories.
• Review silhouettes, fabrications, trims, washes, graphics, embellishments, and construction details to ensure product integrity.
• Develop products that balance design, cost, quality, and manufacturability.
• Ensure all product information is complete and production-ready prior to handoff.

Design Collaboration

• Collaborate daily with Design, Merchandising, Licensing, Technical Design, Sales, Production, and Sourcing teams.
• Assist Designers in executing seasonal assortments from concept through commercialization.
• Participate in seasonal concept meetings, line reviews, fittings, and product presentations.
• Support trend research, competitive shopping, and product innovation initiatives.
• Help identify opportunities for new fabrics, washes, trims, embellishments, and construction techniques.

Vendor & Factory Communication

• Communicate daily with overseas factories and vendor partners regarding product development.
• Manage development timelines and ensure vendor adherence to milestone dates.
• Review development comments with vendors and ensure revisions are completed accurately.
• Build strong relationships with factories while maintaining accountability for quality and delivery expectations.
• Escalate development issues and propose solutions to minimize delays.

Sample Development

• Coordinate prototype, fit, salesman, pre-production, licensing, and TOP samples.
• Track sample status from development through final approvals.
• Review samples for construction, fit, workmanship, color, graphics, trims, embellishments, and overall quality.
• Document comments and communicate revisions to vendors.
• Ensure all approvals are completed according to seasonal calendars.

Fabric & Trim Development

• Coordinate development and approval of fabrics, washes, prints, trims, labels, and packaging.
• Review strike-offs, lab dips, print approvals, and trim submissions.
• Collaborate with Sourcing to identify cost-effective materials while maintaining design intent.
• Ensure all components meet quality and customer expectations.

Licensing & Brand Compliance

• Coordinate licensed product approvals and submissions according to licensor timelines.
• Ensure artwork, product execution, labeling, and packaging comply with licensor guidelines.
• Track approval status and communicate revisions with internal teams and vendors.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Production to ensure a smooth transition from development into bulk production.
• Work with Technical Design to address fit and construction issues.
• Collaborate with Merchandising and Sales to ensure products meet customer requirements.
• Coordinate with Sourcing to support target costing and supplier capabilities.

Reporting & Documentation

• Maintain accurate development calendars, WIP reports, sample trackers, and approval logs.
• Organize development files, specifications, BOMs, artwork, and seasonal documentation.
• Prepare status updates for management and cross-functional meetings.
• Ensure all development documentation is complete before production handoff.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve product development processes and communication.
• Stay informed on apparel trends, consumer preferences, fabric innovations, and manufacturing capabilities.
• Support initiatives that improve speed to market, quality, and operational efficiency.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Product Development, Fashion Merchandising, Apparel Production, or a related field preferred.

Experience

• 3–5 years of experience in Apparel Product Development, Design, or Product Management.
• Experience with licensed apparel, private label, or mass-market retail programs preferred.
• Experience working with overseas factories and international vendors.
• Strong understanding of garment construction and apparel manufacturing processes.