Product Developer

Product Developer at The People Brand Product Developer at The People Brand in Gardena, California Posted in 3 days ago.

Type:

full-time

Job Description:

Product Developer II Confidential Lifestyle Footwear Brand Overview We're partnering with a growing lifestyle footwear company seeking a Product Developer II to support the end-to-end product creation process across multiple categories. This individual will work cross-functionally with Product, Design, Merchandising, Sourcing, Production, and factory partners to bring innovative and commercially successful products to market. This opportunity is ideal for a product developer who enjoys owning projects from concept through commercialization, thrives in a collaborative environment, and is excited to play a meaningful role within a growing organization. The position offers broad exposure across the product lifecycle and the opportunity to contribute beyond the scope of a traditional product development role. Key Responsibilities Product Development & Commercialization Manage assigned footwear categories from concept through production readiness. Drive development timelines, key milestones, and seasonal deliverables. Ensure product specifications, BOMs, and commercialization details are accurate and complete. Identify development risks and proactively partner with cross-functional teams to keep projects moving forward. Seasonal Development & Calendar Management Support execution across multiple seasonal development calendars annually. Track sample progress, approvals, testing, and commercialization requirements. Coordinate with internal stakeholders and factory partners to ensure deadlines are achieved. Contribute to process improvements that support business growth and operational efficiency. Factory & Vendor Partnership Serve as a primary point of contact for assigned factory partners. Communicate timelines, priorities, approvals, and product feedback. Monitor sample status, costing requests, testing requirements, and development deliverables. Collaborate with partners to resolve fit, construction, quality, and manufacturing challenges. Fit, Quality & Product Performance Organize and facilitate footwear fit sessions. Document fit feedback and communicate updates to factory partners. Support continuous improvement of fit, comfort, and overall product performance. Help ensure products meet established quality and construction standards. Costing & Commercialization Support Review costing information and support margin objectives. Partner with sourcing and factory teams to identify value-engineering opportunities. Assist with material, tooling, and construction decisions impacting cost and scalability. Support successful commercialization and production readiness. Product Data, Testing & Compliance Maintain accurate product information throughout the development process. Manage product attributes, classifications, and supporting documentation. Coordinate testing requirements and compliance initiatives. Ensure all documentation is complete and production-ready. Qualifications Required 2-3 years of footwear product development experience. Strong knowledge of footwear construction, materials, fit, and manufacturing. Experience working directly with overseas factories and suppliers. Exceptional organizational and project management skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and product management systems. Preferred Experience within casual footwear, sandals, or comfort-driven product categories. Familiarity with footwear testing and compliance processes. Experience supporting multiple categories across seasonal development calendars. Ideal Candidate Highly organized and detail-oriented. Passionate about product creation and consumer experience. Proactive, resourceful, and solutions-oriented. Comfortable navigating multiple projects and shifting priorities. Strong collaborator who can also operate independently. Curious, adaptable, and eager to learn. Excited by the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a growing business.