Associate Developer, Athlete Services & Special Projects

Description

The role focuses on turning designs into athlete apparel, owning the development process from design handoff through kit delivery for assigned athletes and special projects.

You will be the main day-to-day development contact for the athletes you manage, linking sports marketing, design, merchandising, technical design and factory partners. Communication must be accurate, complete, timely and professional.

The company designs athletic apparel built to move and sweat in, with a casual look for everyday wear. Its inspiration comes from an active coastal California lifestyle. The office is high energy and fast paced.

Employer does not describe the team size or stage beyond this.

Responsibilities

• Own development for assigned athletes and styles from concept to delivery, keeping every milestone on schedule.
• Act as the main vendor contact for assigned athlete projects, keeping communication clear and tracking accountability, calendar, cost and product expectations.
• Maintain development WIP and time and action calendars, make sure vendors send accurate, timely updates, and follow up early on status and risks, reporting as needed.
• Own ordering for assigned styles, including costing, testing, approvals and documentation, completed accurately and on time.
• Keep critical product data accurate in the PLM system, including style details, technical properties where relevant, BOMs, costing, testing status and buy readiness.
• Keep technical packages current so products meet goals for mobility, function, fit, quality and athlete needs.
• Take part in fittings with Design and Technical Design, passing development, fit and visual feedback to vendors in line with cross-functional direction.
• Own all submits (lab dips, trims, washes, strike-offs, PPS and similar), tracking, receiving, organizing and preparing them for milestone meetings.
• Lead and coordinate cross-functional meetings across Sports Marketing, Design, Technical Design, Merchandising, Materials and Trims/Color, flagging risks and gaps early.
• Support compliance and performance testing for assigned categories, working with other teams to resolve issues before delivery.
• Help with seasonal workbooks and development recaps, proofing style information, images and product details for accuracy.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Manufacturing or an equivalent background is preferred.
• 3+ years of product development experience, or product management experience with a proven record of taking products from concept to completion.
• Knowledge of materials and of the engineering and manufacturing processes used to build products.
• Intermediate technical drawing skills for construction and detail sketches, with Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop a plus.
• Intermediate to advanced computer skills, especially in project timelines and PLM systems.
• Strong aptitude for systems and methodical work.
• Knowledge of garment construction, costing and all pre-production coordination.
• Strong sense of ownership, proactive problem solving, and growing independence, using manager support for strategic guidance.
• International travel experience is a plus, and international travel may be required.
• Ability to bend, lift, open and move product and office items weighing up to 25 lbs, as needed.

Conditions

Full-time role with a salary range of $70,000 to $89,000 per year.

Applicant information is handled confidentially under EEO guidelines.

Benefits

• Health insurance.
• Savings and retirement plan.
• Employee assistance program.
• Generous employee discount and industry perks.
• Paid time off.
• Wellness and fitness benefits.