Product Developer

VARSITY SPIRIT, A VARSITY BRANDS COMPANY - THE DRIVING FORCE IN SPIRIT ACROSS CHEER, DANCE AND BAND

For over 50 years, Varsity Spirit has been the leading global source for all things spirit, including cheerleading, dance team and performing arts. Focused on safety, entertainment and traditional school leadership, Varsity Spirit’s 5,000+ employees are dedicated to celebrating school spirit. A leader in apparel innovation, educational camps, clinics, and competitions, Varsity Spirit impacts more than a million athletes each year.
 

OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFETY

At Varsity Spirit, the safety and wellbeing of the young people we serve is of the utmost importance. Since our inception 50 years ago, we have been – and remain – steadfastly committed to doing our part to create a safe and positive environment for our participants’ physical, emotional, and social development, and promoting an environment free from abuse and misconduct. Varsity has a zero tolerance for abuse in its programs, events, and associated business activities. Varsity is committed to reporting all suspicions, allegations, and incidents of abuse in full accordance with local laws and reporting requirements. Learn more at Our Commitment to Safety - Varsity.com.

The Product Developer for Apparel is a full-time position based in Farmers Branch TX. An Apparel product developer at Varsity Spirit is responsible for successfully driving the development of seasonal products from concept through production readiness. You will work extensively with Design, Sourcing, Planning, Sampling, QA, and internal / external manufacturing partners.

The Product Developer manages the effective implementation and distribution of new products for their organizations, handles launch aspects, and verifies that quality control complies with all project requirements. The Product Developer will help deliver approved projects on time, within budget, and with quality results.

Job Responsibilities

· Work closely with the Varsity Design and Category Management Teams to understand the vision and direction of the product.

· Work with our internal teams and manufacturing partners to advance a product from prototype stages to successful production.

· Work with the Design and Category Management Teams to clearly understand the project timeline and adhere to milestones and deliverables.

· Work with design and engineering to help transition design prototypes into cost-efficient and high-volume products.

· Troubleshoot design, material, and trim details to execute the desired design and product.

· Work with Designers and Category Management Team to deliver and communicate technical packages (Tech Packs) to our manufacturing partners.

· Works closely with the supply chain team to bring successful, profitable, and quality products to our customers.

· Works closely with Product Quality Teams to ensure that all assigned projects meet the demanding standards of Varsity Spirit.

· Works with internal and external testing labs to ensure the product hurdles all quality parameters for product release.

· Partners closely with internal and external Material Developers to effectively develop new materials, trims, and fabric.

· Monitor status of all new products and ensure effective execution of projects according to required policies, procedures, and government regulations.

· Monitor operations of products and evaluate designs to ensure adherence to all design and manufacture principles.

· Analyze and recommend improvements to all production processes and methods to facilitate cost reduction and quality improvement.

· Analyze and recommend corrective action in case of any design failure.

· Coordinate with senior management to maintain knowledge of product status and prepare appropriate reports.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

· The ability to communicate in an open and honest way that quickly builds trust and respect.

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office, PLM, and AS400 with an aptitude for learning latest programs.

· Knowledge of product development processes is necessary.

· Excellent analytical, verbal, and written skills with strong attention to detail.

· Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle critical deadlines/prioritize work and business processes and able to multi-task regularly.

· Must have affinity for problem solving, exposure or experience in Manufacturing, Quality Excellence, Strategic thinking, listen to our internal customers, and perform in the most professional manner.

· The ideal candidate should be flexible during times of change, comprehend business operation and provide quality insight on how to achieve goals and ensure business success.

· Participate in continuous improvement projects and lean principles, ideally within apparel manufacturing.

· Bilingual is a PLUS. (English/Spanish).

Physical Demands and/or Work Environment

This is a 70% sedentary role and 30% active; It is necessary for this role to walk in all the departments to follow up on completion of assignments and check on all samples. This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. The employee must be available during the “core” work hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Travel

Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be expected.

Education, Certification and Experience

· College degree in Fashion, Business Administration, Project Management, Engineering, or experience required.

· 2-4 years of related product development to include design and manufacturing.

· Experience communicating via virtual meetings with Microsoft Teams, Citrix Webex, Zoom, GoToMeeting.

· Experience with Outlook calendar scheduling a plus.

· Experience in PLM, OMS and AS400 a plus.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

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JOIN THE BEST TEAM IN SPORT & SPIRIT

At Varsity Brands, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed and every educator wants to make a difference. It takes a team to make a real impact, and through our two divisions – BSN SPORTS and Varsity Spirit – and our network of 6,000+ employees and independent representatives, we are proud to partner with a wide range of educational institutions and club and professional sports to transform the student journey in SPORT and SPIRIT.

OUR VALUES

Service - We lead with heart. We champion community.

Passion - We love what we do. It fuels our purpose.

Integrity - We do what we promise. We own our actions and decisions.

Respect - We earn it by giving it. Because everyone deserves it.

Innovation - We never stop striving to be better. For ourselves and our community.

Transparency - We are committed to openness and honesty in everything we do.

OUR BENEFITS

We are committed to putting you and your families first. For benefits eligible roles, we offer a variety of choices and costs as well as program enhancements that align with our responsibility to elevate the employee experience. Some of our offerings include:

• Comprehensive Health Care Benefits
• HSA Employer Contribution/ FSA Opportunities
• Wellbeing Program
• 401(k) plan with company matching
• Company paid Life, AD&D, and Short-Term Disability
• Generous My Time Off & Paid Holidays
• Employee Resource Groups
• St. Jude Partnership & Volunteer Opportunities
• Employee Perks including discounts on personal apparel and equipment!

Varsity Brands companies are equal opportunity employers. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran’s status, age or disability.