Sr. Apparel Product Developer

Varsity Brands•Farmers Branch, TX

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Apparel Product Developer at Varsity Brands drives seasonal apparel product development from concept through production readiness and serves as the expert for an assigned product category. The role manages product lines and coordinates internal teams and external manufacturing partners to implement, launch, and distribute new products. It ensures that projects meet quality and regulatory requirements and are delivered on time and within budget. The developer works extensively with Merchandising, Sourcing, Planning, Sampling, Quality Assurance, Category Management, design, engineering, supply chain, costing teams, material developers, testing labs, and manufacturing partners. The position is hybrid at the Varsity Brands location in Farmers Branch, Texas, with Monday–Friday hours of either 8 a.m.–5 p.m. or 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; Fridays are work-from-home. Travel is 20% and includes domestic and international travel. Relocation assistance is not offered. The role is 70% sedentary and 30% active, including walking through departments to follow up on assignments and check samples. Work takes place in a professional office environment and routinely involves standard office equipment. Varsity Brands describes its values as Service, Passion, Integrity, Respect, Innovation, and Transparency. Benefits for eligible roles include health-care options, HSA employer contributions and FSA opportunities, a wellbeing program, a 401(k) with company matching, company-paid life, AD&D, and short-term disability coverage, paid time off and holidays, an ownership program, employee resource groups, financial coaching and credit-union access, volunteer opportunities, and employee discounts.

Requirements

College degree in Fashion, Business Administration, Project Management, or Engineering, or equivalent experience.
5–8 years of related product-development experience, including design and manufacturing.
Technical expertise in apparel construction, fit, and function.
Knowledge of fabrics, including circular, warp, and woven fabrics.
Extensive knowledge of product-development processes.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, PLM, and AS400, with aptitude for learning new programs.
Experience communicating through Microsoft Teams.
Experience with Outlook and PLM systems.
Excellent analytical, verbal, and written communication skills, with strong attention to detail.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage critical deadlines, prioritize work and business processes, and multitask.
Problem-solving ability and exposure to or experience in manufacturing, quality excellence, and strategic thinking.
Ability to listen to internal customers and work professionally.
Flexibility during change and ability to understand business operations and provide insight on achieving goals and business success.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English/Spanish ability.
Experience with continuous improvement and lean principles, ideally within apparel manufacturing.

Responsibilities

Work with Merchandise and Category Management teams to understand product vision and direction, project timelines, milestones, and deliverables.
Serve as the category expert and work with the project manager on the commercialization calendar.
Coordinate with internal teams and manufacturing partners to take products from prototype stages through successful production.
Provide technical expertise related to apparel products and categories, including construction, fit, and function.
Work with internal and external costing teams to develop profitable products; analyze product changes when costs miss expectations and communicate recommendations to Merchandising.
Collaborate with design and engineering to transition prototypes into cost-efficient, high-volume products.
Troubleshoot design, material, and trim details to execute the intended product design.
Deliver and communicate technical packages (Tech Packs) to manufacturing partners with the Category Management team.
Partner with supply-chain and Product Quality teams to deliver profitable, quality products that meet Varsity Brands standards.
Work with internal and external testing labs to ensure products meet quality parameters for release.
Partner with internal and external Material Developers to develop materials, trims, and fabrics.
Monitor new product status and ensure projects follow applicable policies, procedures, and government regulations.
Evaluate product operations and designs for adherence to design and manufacturing principles.
Recommend improvements to production processes and methods to reduce costs and improve quality.
Analyze design failures and recommend corrective actions.
Coordinate with senior management to maintain awareness of product status and prepare appropriate reports.
Participate in continuous improvement projects and apply lean principles.