Product Developer - Apparel

WERX Design is an advanced softgood product design & development company, focusing on functional apparel and gear. We partner with young and leading brands in the active, outdoor, tactical, sports and lifestyle categories to take their product direction, turn it into designs, develop them into samples and then produce them in scale to be sold into the market for their brand. Our resource base is vast and our excitement about the product creation process keeps us energized to deliver the best.

Unlike working for one brand, our team has the ability to work on several brands with different aesthetics, as well as in different categories so the days are never the same and the types of products being worked on are always different. Each person on our team has the ability to learn multiple skills and get involved in the entire product creation process, as we truly work as a team to ensure we’re producing the best products for our clients. Everyone is invited to the table.

We are looking for an experienced Product Developer with some design abilities, to work with our team, which is responsible for developing and commercializing products within the portfolio of brands WERX is partnered with. With direction from the Creative Director, they will collaborate with Product Designers to create tech packs and lead the product commercialization process from design handoff to bulk production.

We are open to most experience levels, but ultimately your success will be on your drive to succeed, enthusiasm to learn, and resourcefulness to problem solve.

This is a high-touch role, where you have the ability to use your left and right brain to bring product from concept through production. Our product developers are the lifeblood of the process, and unlike PD teams at most brands, you will have the opportunity to have your hands a little in the design, sourcing and production side as we all cross over roles to ensure we all know what's going on to build the best products possible. You will learn so much, and that brings your career so much value.

Critical Experience Requirement: * *Please understand this is a requirement for the position**

• Must have experience working with overseas suppliers / factories for an apparel or bag brand
• Must have experience as a product developer or technical designer for a brand
• Must have experience and understand of performance fabrics & garment fitting

Responsibilities include but are not limited to

• Create and maintain tech packs throughout the development process.
• Update concept designs
• Perform daily communications with vendors and suppliers both overseas and domestically.
• Assist in the sourcing and development of new trims, fabrics, treatments, embellishments,

and construction techniques.

• Monitor quality control standards for trims, construction techniques, and finished products.
• Fully evaluate development samples, including measuring, evaluating overall quality,

construction, materials, and tech pack adherence.

• Manage your assigned brands’ Work-In-Process reports, including the creation of seasonal

WIPs, ensuring all vendors are sending updated WIPS on weekly basis, reviewing WIP data to ensure accuracy and follow up on status as needed

• Manages all submits – shipping, receiving, and distributing all submits
• Assists in preparation for meetings by organizing samples / submits / merch guides (

overviews)

• Responsible for the data integrity of all critical style information and technical properties
• Maintains accuracy of technical packages that meet the product’s goals for innovation,

function, fit and commercial viability

• Participates in fittings with tech designer, designer and client; communicates comments to

vendors (written by technical designer) - Liaison between vendor and technical designer

• Partner with manager to communicate with suppliers and vendors; written and verbal, on pertinent design/development related issues
• Responsible for visual comments on samples; reviews comments with designers; communicates comments to vendors
• Partner with manager to validate and test products compliance and performance
• Monitor time/action calendars to hit target calendar dates including proto, Photo Shoot,

Sales Samples, Pre-production through Bulk.

• Maintain trim, sample and fabric library.
• Assist with the inventory control and periodic shipping of orders and parcels to customers,

either for our clients or in-house branded products

• Assist and work at trade shows, either based in our booth when we have one or representing

our company exploring other brands & suppliers.

REQUIREMENTS: - Only experienced Product Developers need apply

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience is necessary.
• Ability to problem solve independently, and group ideation with the team
• Competent with Google Suite and Adobe Creative Suites (most critically Google Sheets and

Adobe Illustrator).

• Experience with PLM systems preferred.
• Awareness of consumer trends, the outdoor market, and business processes.
• Needs to work well both independently and in teams.
• Must possess keen attention to detail, have excellent follow-through skills, and be proactive

to find solutions to problems.

• Should be quick, collaborative, and creative.
• Need to be able to thrive in a deadline-driven environment.
• Have strong ability to multi-task and handle multiple projects at once.
• Must have strong communication skills (verbal and written).
• Knowledge of materials used in apparel / bags, and manufacturing processes used to build

products

• Experience working with factories/suppliers is necessary

Special Physical and/or Mental Requirements:

• International travel experience is a plus; possible domestic & international travel required
• Willing and able to work additional hours when needed, as suppliers time zone is different.
• Bend, lift, open and move product and related office items varying in weight from 1 to 25lbs,

depending on need.

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS:

• Full time
• Salary range depending on experience levels
• Onsite in Fort Collins, CO
• Working Hours in WERX Studio: M-F 8:30-5pm

Please email your interest, resume and relevant showcase of work to: ***email_hidden***