Product Development Assistant, Wovens

Lilly Pulitzer•King of Prussia, PA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Product Development Assistant, Wovens is responsible for supporting the development and execution of Woven Apparel within Lilly Pulitzer. This role assists and supports the day-to-day product development process from initial concept through production handoff, ensuring products meet quality, cost, and calendar objectives. The Assistant serves as a key partner to Design, Technical Design, Merchandising, and vendor partners, supporting and assisting communication, issue resolution, and on-time execution. A day in the life… Product Development is central to product creation. The team provides overall project management and serves as the liaison between manufacturers and the home office supporting the Lilly Pulitzer product strategy. The Lilly Pulitzer® Product Strategy is to create innovative designs that delight our customers, have high retail sell through and contribute to the profitable growth of the company. The goal of these responsibilities is to ensure each style moves from design intent to production-ready decision-making with clear ownership, accurate costing, and on-time samples. Leading the Product Development Team Involves 3 main activities: Creative Project Management – • Completes the daily development activities for assigned product categories • Partners closely with cross-functional teams and vendors to ensure product development milestones are achieved and samples accurately reflect design intent. • Meet seasonal product development timelines for assigned categories • Coordinate with vendors to ensure timely sample execution and delivery • Monitor development progress and proactively communication risks or delays • Partners with cross-functional teams to resolve development issues and maintain calendar adherence. • Support the Senior Manager by completing tasks as delegated. • Understand the Lilly Pulitzer customer and ensure product decisions support brand standards and customer expectations Costing – • Supports the achievement of seasonal cost targets through assisting with effective vendor communication, cost analysis, and executional follow-through • Support and assist negotiating and labeling costing on sample tags for assigned styles • Review cost changes and communicate opportunities to leadership • Track historical costing trends and support cost optimization initiatives • Partner with Merchandising and Design to identify solutions when styles exceed target costs • Maintain accurate costing information and development records within designate system Sample Management & Calendar Execution – • Responsible for meeting sample development calendars and driving accountability with vendors and internal partners • Track, receive and log all sample requests and deliveries for assigned categories • Label hangtags with IMU and costing information on each style • Ensure vendors have the necessary materials, specifications, and approvals to meet deadlines • Escalate risks to leadership when timing, quality, or cost concerns arise • Support the implementation of new tools and processes to improve development efficiency • Maintain organization and accuracy throughout the sampling lifecycle Note, the Assistant may be asked to perform duties that are outside the specific functions that are listed.

Requirements

A four-year college degree is required, preferably with a major/minor within apparel production, fashion design, product development or related fields of study.
The Assistant role is a position that requires an ability to collaborate well with others.
This position requires the ability to develop new products with the conceptual thinking to avoid potential issues in garment construction and meet pricing parameters.
Proficiency with personal computers in Microsoft Windows environment for Excel and Word is required.
The ability to interact effectively and credibly with internal colleagues in design, fabric and trims, merchandising, production, and vendors is required.
Strong written and verbal communication skills are required to communicate effectively with internal colleagues, management, and vendors.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Centric and the company’s AS400 system is helpful.

Responsibilities

Completes the daily development activities for assigned product categories
Partners closely with cross-functional teams and vendors to ensure product development milestones are achieved and samples accurately reflect design intent.
Meet seasonal product development timelines for assigned categories
Coordinate with vendors to ensure timely sample execution and delivery
Monitor development progress and proactively communication risks or delays
Partners with cross-functional teams to resolve development issues and maintain calendar adherence.
Support the Senior Manager by completing tasks as delegated.
Understand the Lilly Pulitzer customer and ensure product decisions support brand standards and customer expectations
Supports the achievement of seasonal cost targets through assisting with effective vendor communication, cost analysis, and executional follow-through
Support and assist negotiating and labeling costing on sample tags for assigned styles
Review cost changes and communicate opportunities to leadership
Track historical costing trends and support cost optimization initiatives
Partner with Merchandising and Design to identify solutions when styles exceed target costs
Maintain accurate costing information and development records within designate system
Responsible for meeting sample development calendars and driving accountability with vendors and internal partners
Track, receive and log all sample requests and deliveries for assigned categories
Label hangtags with IMU and costing information on each style
Ensure vendors have the necessary materials, specifications, and approvals to meet deadlines
Escalate risks to leadership when timing, quality, or cost concerns arise
Support the implementation of new tools and processes to improve development efficiency
Maintain organization and accuracy throughout the sampling lifecycle