Associate Product Specialist

the Client•New York, NY

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Product Specialist manages quality, packaging, and size standards for incentive purchases and ensures federal safety and labeling regulations are followed. The role authorizes pre-production and production merchandise, identifies and resolves quality issues, and works with Merchants, Buyers, vendors, and merchandise managers to establish product requirements and support quality, value, and design throughout the production cycle. The specialist requests, receives, and responds to sample inspections; tracks samples, approvals, production updates, and quality concerns; and documents problem purchases and resolutions. Product knowledge is developed through store and factory visits, market travel, competitive and store mix assessment, and product development training. The role also educates and trains Merchants on legal regulations, quality practices, and product knowledge. Administrative work includes opening, processing, and organizing samples; maintaining specification, sample, and quality-standard libraries; and providing general office and presentation support. This is a hybrid contract position in New York, NY, listed as temp-to-perm with a three-month contract duration.

Requirements

At least 2 years of experience in administration, merchandising, production, product development, or buying/planning.
Strong communication skills.
Strong organizational and follow-through skills.
Computer skills, including Microsoft Excel and Outlook.
Ability to work well in a team environment.
Ability to handle multiple projects.
Good eye for color, design, and detail.
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States; visa sponsorship or transfer is not available.

Responsibilities

Manage systems to maintain quality, packaging, and size standards on incentive purchases.
Ensure compliance with federal safety and labeling regulations.
Authorize pre-production and production merchandise and resolve issues through the appropriate channels.
Educate Merchants on legal regulations and quality best practices.
Collaborate with Buyers on the implementation of product quality, value, and design.
Identify quality issues by reviewing pre-production and product samples from vendors.
Build product knowledge through store and factory visits and product development training.
Establish systems to request, receive, and respond to production sample inspections in a timely manner.
Establish and maintain effective communication and relationships with vendors.
Partner with Merchants and vendors to set quality requirements and best practices and support timely flow of goods through production.
Work with Buyers and DVP and Merchandise Managers to track incentive purchases, production updates, and quality concerns.
Develop and conduct informational and training sessions for Merchants new to the company and department.
Maintain libraries of specifications, samples, and quality standards.
Document problem purchases and their resolutions.
Support product knowledge and identify quality issues through market travel, store and competitor mix assessment, and product training.
Maintain systems to manage on-order items and track samples received and approval status.
Complete special projects as assigned or directed.
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 materials to vendors via FedEx, and supporting presentations.