Associate Product Developer

Who We Are:

Kontoor Brands is a portfolio of three of the world’s most iconic lifestyle, outdoor and workwear brands: Wrangler®, Lee® and Helly Hansen®. Kontoor Brands is a purpose-led organization focused on leveraging its global platform, strategic sourcing model and best-in-class supply chain to drive brand growth and deliver long- term value for its stakeholders.

Job Posting:

Associate Product Developer

This entry level position is responsible for contributing to the development, engineering, and specifications processes of innovative and technologically advanced products that meet the needs of the Company’s customers and end users which assists in Company sales and profits. Assists with the engineering the highest level of innovative and quality products, executing to the product development timeline in conjunction with the timelines of the Company’s business strategies. Works to develop products which meet or exceed predetermined gross margin targets, and communicating the specifications and product details to the Sourcing organization and Suppliers. Works under close direction and handles increasingly complex issues while developing a track record of success in the development

Associate Product Developer

The Associate Product Developer assists as the key liaison/administrator between the Brand and Supply chain to guarantee best-in-class quality, on-time execution of the product line and meeting margin goals. This Associate Product Developer owns managing an efficient & effective product development process in overseeing sampling accuracy in information flow, achieving preliminary cost margin targets and on-time calendar management through final pre-production approvals to deliver product execution true to Design’s aesthetic intent.

Responsibilities:  

• Work with tech team to review samples and assist in guiding best quality, cost viable styles.  Partner with fabric team on development as it relates to proper assignment for garment styling and innovative initiatives.
• Organize all garment sampling orders & coordinate all product approval submits from suppliers to meet calendar due dates. Manage tracking of all development and product sampling activities to be delivered on-time for briefs, protos, salesman, pre-production size sets approvals to final manufacturing-ready product.
• With product development team, review product costing in adherence to critical calendar milestones and margin goals.
• Partner closely with Design on seasonal line development to manage ensure alignment throughout the development process executing to product aesthetic and intent.
• Manage efficient, streamlined workflow processes and working tools for optimal execution accuracy, shortening lead times, lower minimums and costs. Operate and support current and future new business system management. Standardize and institute best practices where possible.
• Initiate and maintain daily communication with cross-functional groups.  Organize clear, concise documentation as it relates to team’s deliverables and reporting.

Requirements:  

• Apparel product development/sourcing/manufacturing work experience
• Experience working in medium-large companies interacting with cross-functional teams
• High proficiency with MS Office applications (Teams, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, Word, Smartsheet)
• Efficient time management in multi-tasking priorities and meeting calendar deadlines
• Excellent verbal/written/interpersonal communication skills. Ability to work with cross-functional teams.
• Result-driven, “can-do” attitude, service-oriented team player
• Strong analytical skills and attention to details
• University degree or equivalent
• Preferred experience:
  • Overall apparel and construction knowledge 
  • Technical college textile related field preferred

Why Kontoor Brands?

At Kontoor, we offer a comprehensive benefit package to fit your lifestyle. Our benefits are crafted with the same care as our products.

When our employees are healthy, secure, and well, they bring their best selves to work. Kontoor Brands supports you with a competitive benefits program that provides choice and flexibility to meet your and your family’s needs – now and in the future. We offer resources to support your physical, emotional, social, and financial wellbeing, plus benefits like discounts on our apparel. Kontoor Brands also provides four weeks of Paid Parental Leave to eligible employees who are new parents, Flexible Fridays, and Tuition Reimbursement.

We are proud to offer a workplace culture centered on equitable opportunities and a sense of belonging for all team members. Here we have a global workforce of high-performing teams that both unlocks our individual uniqueness and harnesses our collaborative talents.