The North Face: Product Developer, Equipment (Packs, Travel, Duffels)

VF Corporation•Denver, CO

2d•$86,400 - $108,000

About The Position

The Product Developer, Equipment is responsible for the technical development and commercialization of The North Face packs, travel bags, and duffels - from concept handoff through production. This hands-on role ensures products meet performance, durability, quality, and manufacturing standards while reviewing vendor costing to support margin and pricing goals. This role partners closely with Design, Product Management, Materials, Sourcing, Quality, and global vendors, using FlexPLM as the system of record and Adobe Illustrator for technical communication.

Requirements

3+ years of product development experience in equipment/hardgoods (preferably packs, bags, luggage, travel, or outdoor soft goods).
Strong technical knowledge of bag construction and components (fabrics/laminates, foams, mesh, webbing, zippers, buckles/hardware, binding, seam taping/welding where applicable).
Experience analyzing vendor costing and communicating cost drivers/trade-offs.
Proficiency with FlexPLM (or equivalent PLM) and strong data discipline.
Working proficiency in Adobe Illustrator for technical diagrams and/or artwork placement.
Strong communication skills with global vendor partners; able to give precise, actionable sample feedback.
Ability to manage multiple styles and hit development gates.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting global development across regions and factory types.
Familiarity with testing standards and common failure modes in packs/travel/duffels.
Experience supporting sustainability initiatives (preferred/recycled materials, packaging reduction, durability/repair considerations).

Responsibilities

Own development of assigned styles from prototype through buy readiness (Proto → SMS → Preproduction).
Translate design intent into executable construction: patterning, reinforcement strategies, binding/taping execution, foam/structure selection: (e.g., framesheets/stays), and hardware/zipper/trim specifications.
Create and maintain development documentation including tech packs, BOMs, measurements, construction callouts, labeling, and packaging requirements.
Review samples and provide clear vendor feedback on construction, workmanship, function, and durability.
Troubleshoot build issues and lead root-cause analysis/corrective actions (e.g., stitch failure, zipper issues, abrasion, delamination, shape distortion, hardware failures).
Create and maintain accurate, timely style data in FlexPLM (BOM integrity, material/trim codes, measurements, colorways, sample tracking, approvals).
Manage development timelines and ensure on-time completion of key milestones.
Partner with Design and Product Management to align on trade-offs, risks, and changes while protecting brand-right execution.
Review and analyze vendor quotes/cost breakdowns (materials, trims, labor, overhead, packaging).
Identify cost drivers and propose value engineering options while maintaining performance and durability.
Collaborate with Sourcing and Product Management to support margin targets and pricing architecture.
Partner with Materials to select performance-appropriate and sustainability-aligned fabrics, foams, webbings, coatings/finishes, and hardware.
Support wear and lab testing (e.g., seam strength, abrasion, zipper/hardware durability, water resistance where applicable).
Ensure products meet quality, labeling/packaging, restricted substances, and regional compliance requirements.
Champion durability-by-design and continuous improvement based on testing and field/consumer feedback.
Create/refine construction diagrams, callouts, artwork placements, label layouts, and stitch/reinforcement maps as needed.
Ensure vendors receive clear visuals aligned to specifications and brand standards.