Associate Merchandise Product Developer

Universal Orlando • Orlando, FL

13h

About The Position

As an Associate Merchandise Product Developer, you will implement the product development steps, encompassing category and creative design, vendor selection and management, and quality execution. You will collaborate closely with Brand, PDS, and ATI teams, ensuring effective communication and financial accountability. Your role involves driving innovation within specific categories to align with the Brand's vision. Your expertise will be pivotal in delivering exceptional products that support our strategic goals

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree is required.
• 2+ years in related.
• Required experience in retail product development/buying; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Requires interaction with global partners outside normal business hours.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.

Responsibilities

• Product development process implementation: Assists on all aspects of product development steps and product is delivered and ready for point of purchase (including managing art-to-product, sample creation, fit sessions/paint master/tooling, where applicable, social and safety compliance and quality). Coordinates between vendors, suppliers, and Product Design & Development to facilitate kickoffs, submittals, and approvals executed on time.
• Category & creative design: Follows calendar development timelines and production timing for specific items. Executes seasonal and long-range plans, based on strong understanding of the past and present product performance and landscape. Supports execution of key milestone meetings, working in collaboration with Category Product Manager and Product Design & Development. Maintains data in tracking system – buy plans, assortment sheets – and manages multiple projects per season
• Vendor selection & management: Supports business model (direct to factory or vendor) and vendor selection, with input and feedback from other team members. Works cross functionally with Product Design & Development to ensure production ready tech packs and control drawings provided to vendor. Monitors production work in progress and manages all reports/working files with vendors for development. Facilitates timely communication with internal and external parties. Sourcing
• Quality execution: Collaborates closely with the product sourcing team to manage both international and domestic vendors. Engages in strategic negotiations to reduce costs, tariffs, and minimum order quantities, while optimizing the flow of goods. Reviews competitor analysis, benchmarks industry standards, and focuses on practical trends, product innovation, and market dynamics to ensure quality execution.
• Partnership and Communication: Proactively fosters positive and efficient communication with partners, PDS, Creative, Planning & Operations, vendors, leaders, team members, and IP partners to resolve challenges and achieve objectives.
• Financial ownership & cost savings: Assists in specific category performance metrics, including per capita (per cap) sales, cost of goods (COG), and inventory goals. Ensures timely delivery to meet these objectives. Actively seeks out and implements cost-saving opportunities to enhance category performance
• Understands and actively participates in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities by following established UO policy, procedures, training and team member involvement activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level