Product Development Associate, Men's

Kith•Brooklyn, NY

6d•Onsite

About The Position

This role is responsible for supporting the end-to-end development of Men’s collections, driving product from concept through pre-production. The Associate partners closely with Design, Production, and other cross-functional teams to manage product timelines, coordinate with global factory partners, and ensure all products meet brand standards for design, quality, cost, and delivery. A core focus of this position is managing the day-to-day operations and data integrity of the development cycle, specifically in trim and sample development. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-driven, and thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment where precision and proactive communication are essential to success. A foundational understanding or interest in trims and materials, a proactive mindset, and the ability to manage multiple tasks are required.

Requirements

Experience 3–5 years of product development experience.
Men’s experience is preferred.
Solid understanding of garment construction.
Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities under tight timelines.
Analytical and problem-solving mindset with the ability to balance creative vision and commercial objectives.
Effective communication, relationship-building, and presentation skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and PLM systems; Google Sheets experience a plus.

Responsibilities

Support the Men’s Product Development Manager by managing the product lifecycle from initial sketch through pre-production samples.
Attend all material, sketch, and tech pass-off reviews to capture key decisions, review development status, and drive follow-ups.
Support in launching development trials for new techniques, materials, or constructions.
Source vendors, request submissions, organize options for review, and assist with trim selection in partnership with Design.
Build and maintain seasonal WIP once collections are confirmed, ensuring all style details are accurate and up to date.
Prepare Purchase Orders (POs) for trims, track Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) requirements, monitor delivery timelines, and follow up with vendors for on-time receipt.
Build, maintain, and organize trim, lining, denim, and yarn libraries and storage areas across all factories and shared spaces to ensure materials are accessible and up-to-date.
Manage the intake, logging, and organization of all trim, sample, and material deliveries, ensuring accuracy and proper labeling.
File and organize YDS and TDS in the Shared Drive and Revo.
Own the launch of initial SMS tech packs and lead the preparation and launch of Fit and PPS tech packs for bulk production, ensuring all information is accurate, complete, and clearly documented.
Build BOMs for all SKUs in PLM and assist with updating them throughout the season, ensuring materials, trims, and construction details are accurately documented.
Create and manage style numbers, color codes, and SKU-level details, and maintain accurate product data within PLM and internal systems.
Own and maintain the Trim Development Tracking Chart, proactively updating statuses and communicating risks related to lead times, approvals, or shortages.
Prepare and maintain seasonal Product Knowledge documentation for each SKU.
Receive, check in, and organize all samples (SMS, Fit, PPS) and trims by development stage and collection.
Track sample requests, submissions, approvals, and revisions, ensuring samples align with design intent, quality standards, and timeline requirements.
Prepare samples and racks for internal reviews and Buy meetings, ensuring all required components (trims, lab dips, CADs) are included.
Gather, prepare, and ship reference samples and trim packages for development.
Support overseas development shipments by preparing and tracking required materials and shipping documentation.
Communicate daily with vendors and factories regarding development status, samples, pricing, MOQs, and sampling/bulk timelines.
Review weekly factory WIPs and update shared tracking tools accordingly.
Assist with cost analysis, margin targets, and pricing discussions.
Own the collection adoption process, ensuring all data is accurately reflected in systems, and assist with assigning and validating HTS codes in collaboration with the logistics team.