What's the Short Version?
The Product Developer supports the development process from the initial concept to the commercialized product, and is responsible for fabric/trim approvals, color, testing, sample reviews, costing, and compliance documents.
What Will You Be Doing?
- Support the product creation process through a complete cycle, driving development of fabric, trims, and styles to facilitate prototype approval during product development.
- Build and maintain the Product Development portion of technical product specifications (BOM, trims, labels, packaging, and associated technical images as needed).
- Partner with Regional Offices and Sr/PD Managers to drive costing quotes and help deliver product margin for new developments, resourcing, and cost improvements.
- Manage lab-dip requests to vendors, collaborating with Color and Merchandising team on timely Lab-Dip and Bulk Color submissions.
- Execute testing requirements on new and resourced development styles with the PI team & Decorator Relations team.
- Maintain all tested materials, samples, and track testing reports. Communicate results to suppliers, QA, Merchandisers.
- Monitor development deliverables of Product Creation Calendar across the cross-functional team.
- Manage ELC chart and maintain seasonal costing quotes with managers’ guidance. Provide costing comparisons on developments to Merchandising.
- Review and comment on Pre-Production/Top of Production samples with Tech Design partners.
- Execute photo shoot and salesman samples process on a seasonal basis, ensuring complete review of quality and color.
- Manage Compliance/Classification/Safety requirements for products in the development cycle.
- Resolve production and delivery issues, supporting process improvement and on-time delivery.
- Maintain the fabric swatch library, top-of-production sample library, style files, and sample racks.
- Proofread marketing materials for accuracy of all content.
- Administer the resourcing process of current products and programs. Maintain change logs and product databases.
- Travel domestically and/or internationally may be required.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Comply with all policies and standards.
What Are We Looking For?
- 6+ years in product development and production management, or equivalent education
- Understanding of the garment and textile manufacturing processes.
- Knowledgeable in component costing, including garment construction, raw material options, and landing factors
- Basic understanding of international trade agreements, duty & tariff, customs regulations, and product safety standards
- Ability to learn and understand promotional industry and decoration viability
- Embrace and value collaboration, teamwork, and collective ideation.
- Work cooperatively and enthusiastically to proactively achieve shared goals and self-manage while taking initiative.
- Collaborate with cross-functional team members and drive positive changes.
- Seek continuous improvement and build decision making capacities with direction from teammates and managers.
- Have a thorough understanding of development calendar to meet or exceed all deadlines
- Ability to prioritize tasks and workload effectively for workflow, especially during high-demand situations
- Embody accuracy, organization, and attention to detail, growing verbal, written, and visual communication skills
What's Our Offer?
Salary Range: You`ll earn between $32.56 - $38.46 on an hourly basis, depending on experience.
Bonus: You`ll be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus up to 10% of base salary.
Paid Time Off: You`ll accrue paid time off on a weekly basis based on hours worked up to 112 hours per year to start. Employees also receive 8 paid holidays and 1 paid family day off.
Additional Benefits:
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
- 401k plan and matches $1 for $1 up to 4% of earnings, matched & vested at every pay cycle
- Life insurance
- Short/long-term disability coverage
- Paid maternity/paternity leave
- Pet insurance
What Should You Expect?
Hybrid: SanMar's Eastpointe office is located in Issaquah, WA in the Seattle metropolitan area. Employees are required to work in our offices Tuesday through Thursday each week and additional days may be added based on business needs. Our standard working hours are 8:00-5:00 PST. Periodic travel may be required. The employee is regularly required to sit for extended periods while working on a computer and participating in virtual and in-person meetings. Frequent use of hands for keyboarding and standard office equipment is required. Occasional standing, walking, and reaching may be needed to attend meetings or collaborate in an office setting. The role requires the ability to perform close visual work on a computer for extended periods. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 10–15 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Skills Required
- 6+ years of experience in product development and production management, or equivalent education
- Understanding of garment and textile manufacturing processes
- Knowledge of component costing, garment construction, raw material options, and landing factors
- Basic understanding of international trade agreements, duties, tariffs, customs regulations, and product safety standards
- Ability to learn promotional industry requirements and decoration viability
- Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional team members
- Ability to proactively achieve shared goals and self-manage while taking initiative
- Ability to drive positive changes and support continuous improvement
- Understanding of product development calendars and ability to meet or exceed deadlines
- Ability to prioritize tasks and workload effectively during high-demand periods
- Accuracy, organization, attention to detail, and effective verbal, written, and visual communication skills
SanMar Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about SanMar and has not been reviewed or approved by SanMar.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is described as comprehensive, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability, alongside an EAP and digital mental‑health and chronic‑condition tools. Benefits are often characterized as solid for the company's size, supporting positive views of total rewards.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) plan with company match and per‑pay‑period vesting is repeatedly highlighted, reinforcing retirement support as a core element of the package. This straightforward match is framed as competitive within the company’s industry context.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off with holiday schedules and a dedicated family day are emphasized, alongside documented paid parental leave. Role‑specific postings also indicate PTO accrual that begins early and grows with tenure.
SanMar Insights
What We Do
SanMar’s success and growth can be attributed to one thing - outstanding employees who provide superior services and products to our customers. We promote a culture that recognizes the importance of a healthy work-life balance. Recognizing that happy and relaxed employees make better ambassadors for SanMar, we encourage initiative and participation by creating a casual environment that taps full employee potential. Family owned since 1971, SanMar is an award-winning supplier of over 20 retail and private brands of imprintable apparel and accessories, including Port Authority, America’s No. 1 preferred private label. SanMar is the exclusive distributor of Nike Golf, Eddie Bauer®, OGIO® and New Era®. SanMar is based outside Seattle, WA, with eight national distribution centers. We invest in your future with life-enhancing opportunities and benefits including: • Competitive pay and bonuses • Competitive benefits • Company paid time off (PTO) • Life insurance • 401(k) plan with matching fund • Flexible spending program • Anniversary awards • Discounts on brand name clothing • Diverse and laid-back atmosphere • One floating family holiday every year • Monthly employee events • Charitable giving of your choice • Flexible schedules We’re growing and encourage you to find out what over 4,000 employees call the “The SanMar Difference.” SanMar is currently accepting resumes for those who have the necessary skills. SanMar is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
