Product Developer (Apparel)
ROKA is looking for a passionate Developer of Technical Apparel to join our rapidly expanding Soft Goods product team in Dallas, Texas. If you enjoy a fast-paced, innovative environment, and want to work on a high-caliber team with folks from companies including Patagonia, Google, Black Diamond, Neiman Marcus, Pearl Izumi, Speedo, Spyder, TYR, and Nike, then let’s talk. Under the direction of the Sr.
Director of Product Development & Sourcing, this candidate will be responsible for the overall development and execution of technical apparel categories such as swim, bike, triathlon, running, wetsuits, outerwear and other active outdoor apparel from concept to finished product. As a Product Developer you'll use your exceptional skills and knowledge of products and processes to work closely with Design, Product Line Management and Technical Design to bring ROKA’s innovative designs to completion.
The Product Developer coordinates the fabric/trim/supplier sourcing, data management, construction, fit, quality, and costing which results in the commercial execution of products in their assigned categories. She/he manages and reports on the development of their category as it relates to the calendar, product quality, margin, and delivery for all sales channels. The Product Developer performs at an independent, self-directed level with the ability to handle daily decisions.
Her/his focus will be to coordinate the fabric/trim/supplier sourcing, construction, fit, quality, and costing as well as manage the data management (Centric PLM) and communication between our internal teams and the manufacturers of our goods, to successfully develop quality, on-time, on-cost products that are an accurate reflection of the specifications of the products. MUST HAVES: • Minimum Bachelors degree in Apparel and/or Textile Product Development, Merchandising, Design or another related field.
• At least 4+ years experience in Apparel Development, preferably with experience in one or more of these categories: swimming, cycling, triathlon, running, wetsuits, outerwear. • Strong understanding of construction, color, materials, fit, and manufacturing capabilities. • Experience in vendor communication, costing, cost negotiation, vendor evaluation and sourcing. • Ability to work in a web based Product Lifecycle Management system (Centric PLM).
• Proven ability to partner with Factories, Design, PLM, Sourcing and Fabric teams to commercialize product from concept stage to market. • Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, anticipate demands, communicate status appropriately, and maintain a high level of operational transparency and accountability. • Full understanding of Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite. • Self-motivated, able to work independently with minimal supervision, and has the ability to work on multiple projects efficiently.
• Understanding of supply chain transparency and compliance. • Must be authorized to work in the U.S. NICE TO HAVES: • Knowledge of sporting goods industry. • Current or past involvement as a triathlete, swimmer, cyclist and/or runner. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: • Communicates daily with vendors to ensure projects are tracking as planned • Consistently assess vendor base, researches and sets up new ones, travels to factories as needed.
• Manages product life cycle and communicates internally time and action plan based on development calendar and coordinates with cross functional teams to ensure tasks are performed on time and product delivery dates are met. • Pro actively trouble shoots issues regarding, but not limited too, cost, feasibility, construction etc. • Assist design team with creating tech pack and designs, owns tech pack updates after design handoff all the way until production is started.
• Builds, inputs, and maintains ROKA’s PLM system with current colors, bill of materials, costing, and other elements needed to successfully develop our apparel products. • Manages hand off of the complete Tech Pack (incl. Sketch, Artwork(s), BOM, Patterns, etc.) and ensures it is understood by factories. • Ensures timely development of prototypes and counter samples, strike-offs. • Negotiates and tracks cost submit from factories at each stage of development and aims to achieve specific margin goals set by PLM, communicates regularly on progress.
• In conjunction with the Merch team, maintains product specifications for catalog, and on-line launches. • Keeps Development Manager and PLM updated on the status throughout the development process. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: • Ability to sit for extended periods of time. • Ability to look at a computer for extended periods of time. • Ability to see color. • Ability to work under pressure, meet established timelines and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Able to focus and complete duties in an open, dynamic and sometimes noisy environment. • Ability to travel, domestically and internationally, utilizing various methods of transportation. BENEFITS INCLUDE: • Competitive compensation • Health, Dental and Vision & FSA • Vacation and sick leave • 401(k) with match • Gym membership stipend • Fun and casual atmosphere • Employee discount ABOUT ROKA: ROKA is a premium multisport brand that was founded in 2011 by two former All-American swimmers from Stanford University, who, after being frustrated by the wetsuit offerings on the market, set out to make the fastest wetsuit on the planet.
After two years of product development, the ROKA team launched their patent-pending Maverick wetsuit, Viper swimskin and SIM short training line in March 2013. ROKA is now one of the fastest growing multisport brands in the world and is poised for significant growth and category expansion. We are seeking the best and those who want to be the best. ROKA is a high-performance multisport TEAM. We support each other's development as the foundation for our growth.
We are committed to building the top performing products in every category we enter, and we strive to offer the best customer experience possible. We have an entrepreneurial, fast-paced and fun tribal culture. We’re looking to attract the brightest talent available and run a rolling application process throughout the year (even when we aren’t immediately adding to our team). We look at everything a candidate brings to the table and value qualitative factors like self-awareness, judgment and positive energy as much as resume bullet points or GPAs.
If you are passionate about being the best at what you do, we'd like to meet you. Please apply by clicking on the "External Application" link, and be sure to let us know you found this job on Malakye.com.