Surf Style Retail Management, Inc. ("Surf Style") is the leading chain of beachwear, souvenir, gourmet market and liquor retail stores in the Southeastern United States. Our stores contain quality merchandise at a competitive price, and we offer a fun shopping experience for our customers. We take great pride in our customer service and expect every customer to return to our stores. We believe that each employee contributes directly to our growth and success.

Job Summary :

We are seeking an experienced, highly organized, and commercially minded Product Development Assistant to join our Product Development team. This role is responsible for taking products from initial concept through development and ensuring that projects remain on schedule, on cost, and aligned with the company's merchandising strategy.

Job Responsibility:

Vendor Management & Costing

• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with domestic and international vendors and factories.
• Facilitate vendor negotiations related to product costs, minimums, development requirements, lead times, and other commercial terms.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date cost lists and communicate cost changes to appropriate internal stakeholders.
• Monitor product costs throughout development to ensure products meet established margin and pricing objectives.
• Follow up consistently with vendors to ensure commitments, samples, pricing, and development timelines are met. Market & Product Intelligence
• Track sales performance, consumer behavior, competitive activity, and relevant market trends.
• Identify emerging products, color, material, and style trends that may influence future product development.
• Use sales and market information to help guide product decisions and seasonal line development.
• Communicate relevant market and competitive insights to Buyers and the Product Development team.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree required in Product Development, Merchandising, Fashion, Business, Supply Chain, or a related field.
• 3+ years of real-world product development experience in retail, apparel, accessories, consumer products, or a closely related industry.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with vendors, factories, and suppliers .
• Strong understanding of the product development lifecycle from concept through production.
• Experience developing and maintaining product specifications, PD Packs, line plans, calendars, and cost information.
• Proven ability to manage multiple products and projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
• Strong negotiation, communication, organization, and follow-up skills.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with Buyers, Merchandising, Design, Sourcing, and other internal teams.

The successful candidate is a doer and a problem solver who understands that product development requires constant communication, follow-up, and attention to detail. You should be comfortable picking up the phone or sending an email to a factory to resolve an issue, negotiating a better cost, chasing a late sample, updating a Buyer, or identifying a trend that could become the next successful product. You are highly organized, commercially aware, deadline-driven, and able to manage the details without losing sight of the bigger picture.

• This is not an entry-level position.

Candidates must have demonstrated hands-on product development experience and be able to manage the day-to-day responsibilities of the role with minimal supervision.

Benefits:

Health, dental and vision insurance Supplemental insurance available through Allstate 401K with company match Sick, holiday and vacation pay Employee discounts

• This is an onsite position, not remote.

Benefits:

401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee discount Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person