Associate Product Developer- Exclusives

Location: Dearborn, MI

Department: Global Product Development

Reports to: Manager, Product Development Exclusives 

Job Classification: Hybrid 

FLSA: Exempt 

Job Band: Professional 

Job Summary  

​​The Associate Product Developer – Exclusives supports the collaboration with the Design and Merchant teams to develop for non-seasonal and off Go-To-Market (GTM) calendar product inclusive of multi-sourcing, exclusives, and special projects.  This role communicates status updates, while providing data and information to the cross-functional teams along with external business partners to support product execution. It’s imperative that this role builds and fosters strong collaborative relationships with internal and external partners.  Emphasis in this role is building strong product development knowledge and executing against accelerated timelines.  In this role, the Associate Product Developer – Exclusives will act as a generalist to support the product development of assigned product within the exclusive’s categories which is inclusive of all categories (Outerwear, 1st Layer Tops, Bottoms and Accessories). for both Men’s and Women’s Product.​ 

We Are All Leaders at Carhartt 

​​In our words and by our actions, we strive to emulate the hardworking example set forth by our founder, Hamilton Carhartt. We Lead Business by creating value, delivering on results, and making changes along the way. We Lead Self by being inclusive, recognizing that our differences make us stronger as we strive to build a better world, together, for all hardworking people. We Lead Others by communicating and clearly defining the path as we walk bravely into the future. Working at Carhartt, we are all given a seat at the table and the honor of continuing the legacy.​ 

Representative Responsibilities  

• Support the development, evaluation, and maintenance of BOM’s for all categories, as well as coordinate and communicate with Global Supply Chain, Vendors, Product Design, Technical Design, Color Management, Sourcing, Quality and Purchasing. 

• Support lap dip development process by communicating with the supplier and Color Management team.  Work with the supplier and Color Management to expedite resubmits and communicate corrective color comments to help achieve color approval within the expedited development timeline. 

• Collaborate with Design to understand the categories design intention for each style as it relates to design’s vision and style requirements. 

• Coordinate communication to the factory and Sourcing for the development of category style prototypes and exploratory samples. 

• Assist the Development team and Sourcing to troubleshoot any developments including but not limited to manufacturing locations, pricing, MOQ, delivery issues and lead time. 

• Participate in development meetings and provide updates and follow-up as appropriate. 

• Develop and maintain a strong knowledge of internal and external factory capabilities to assist in the development of garments from concept to production with our nominated and local suppliers. 

• Within PLM: Create, maintain, and communicate material information to Sourcing, Purchasing, Product Design, and Technical Design for the development of garment specifications 

• Participate in supplier meetings with cross-functional teams including, Design, Merchandising and Product Development. 

• Assist in handing-off garments to the Quality team that ensure the approved materials are executed properly in production. 

• Build on technical knowledge; and stay abreast of the textile and apparel industry trends including new technologies; and focus on how these changes and trends can influence and support divisional company strategies. 

Required Education  

• Bachelor’s degree in Textiles, Apparel, or a related field; or equivalent years of related experience in lieu of degree. 

Required Skills & Experience  

• Experience in product development within the Apparel and Textile industry preferred.  

• Knowledge of product development procedures, as well as, basic knowledge of trim, fabrics, color, and overall garment construction as it relates to the apparel industry. 

• Proficient in Microsoft Suite and PLM system  

• Experience in Adobe Suite is a plus 

• Ability to learn quickly and work in a team environment 

• Comfortable working on a team that has a startup approach and working outside of traditional development model with ability to execute against accelerated timelines. 

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to be flexible, solution oriented and adaptive to changing priorities. 

• Effective communicator both verbal and written.  Comfortable presenting to cross-functional team and external partners   

• Excellent organization and planning skills, and the ability to prioritize changing workload while working on multiple projects simultaneously   

• Good analytical skills and aptitude 

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions  

• Open office environment, extended periods of sitting/standing or typing at a computer is required 

• Willing to work some weekends if necessary 

• National and International travel required (15%) 

• Light lifting may be required 25LBS 

• ​​This position has a Hybrid location: Associate will work on-site regularly as needed for work activities.​ 

• ​​Carhartt is a tobacco free workplace.​ 

#LI-Hybrid