Associate Product Specialist

the Client•New York, NY

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Product Specialist manages systems that ensure incentive purchases meet quality, packaging, and size standards and comply with federal safety and labeling regulations. The role authorizes pre-production and production merchandise, resolves issues through appropriate channels, and educates Merchants on legal requirements and quality best practices. The specialist collaborates with Buyers, Merchants, vendors, and merchandise leaders to implement product quality, value, and design standards, track production updates and concerns, and support the timely flow of goods through the production cycle. The position identifies quality issues through the review of vendor samples, store and market visits, competition assessments, and product training. It establishes and maintains processes for requesting, receiving, inspecting, and approving production samples, and develops effective vendor relationships and communication. The role also maintains product specifications, samples, standards, and issue-resolution records; conducts training sessions; and handles sample processing and general merchandise administrative duties. This is a hybrid position in New York, NY, offered as a three-month right-to-hire contract with potential conversion to permanent employment. Pay is $32.00–$40.00 per hour. Applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer; visa sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

Two years of experience in administration, merchandising, production, product development, or buying/planning.
Strong communication skills.
Strong organization and follow-through skills.
Computer skills, including Microsoft Excel and Outlook.
Ability to work well in a team environment.
Ability to handle multiple projects.
A good eye for color, design, and detail.
Authorization to work for any employer in the United States; sponsorship or transfer of employment visa sponsorship is not available.

Responsibilities

Maintain systems to ensure incentive purchases meet quality, packaging, and size standards and comply with federal safety and labeling regulations.
Authorize pre-production and production merchandise and resolve issues through appropriate channels.
Educate Merchants on legal regulations and quality best practices.
Collaborate with Buyers to implement product quality, value, and design standards.
Identify quality issues by reviewing pre-production and product samples from vendors.
Establish systems to request, receive, inspect, and respond to production samples in a timely manner.
Build and maintain effective relationships and regular communication with vendors.
Partner with Merchants and vendors to establish quality requirements and best practices and support timely product flow through production.
Work with Buyers and DVPs and Merchandise Managers to track incentive purchases, production updates, and quality concerns.
Develop and conduct informational and training sessions for Merchants who are new to the company or department.
Maintain libraries of specifications, samples, and quality standards.
Document problem purchases and their resolutions.
Build product knowledge and identify quality issues through market travel, store and competitor assessments, and product training classes.
Maintain systems for tracking items on order, samples received, and approval status.
Open, process, and organize daily sample receipts.
Perform general office duties, including filing, purging old files and samples, opening packages, maintaining sample swatch books, files, and photo streams, handling testing lab paperwork, sending FedEx packages to vendors, and supporting presentations.
Complete special projects as assigned or directed.