Department

Product Development

Post date

09-17-12

Overview

About Us:
We are celebrating our twentieth anniversary by expanding into one of the most exciting categories – apparel! For 20 years, Munchkin has focused on turning sleepy categories into exciting, innovative areas which excite both our loyal parents and our creative designers. We have grown to 5 offices around the world with our headquarters in North Hills, CA and continue to look for exceptional individuals that want to work in a fast-paced, fast-turnaround and fast-growing environment.

The Position
Munchkin is now looking for a dynamic, entrepreneurial leader to assist in the design and the creation of a new infant / toddler clothing and accessories product line to compete with the industry leaders. This is a fantastic opportunity for a Product Development and Sourcing Specialist that wants to disrupt a sleepy category and assist in the creation of a line from scratch!

The Product Development and Sourcing Specialist is responsible for executing the Design Department’s vision through sourcing brand appropriate fabric and trims, delivering 3D visualization for all styles, trouble shooting material, price, and delivery issues while supporting design’s needs and business requirements.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:
• Engage in product design development throughout the design development process from initial fabric and proto development through production.
• Responsible for the development, planning, execution and communication of a production strategy that meets or exceeds financial goals.
• Collaborate with Director of Apparel Design on development and sourcing strategy.
• Maintain product development and production timelines to ensure on time deliveries. Troubleshoot status of milestones relative to the time and action calendar.
• Communicate with overseas production to ensure correct, on time and efficient production and delivery.
• Work with factories to balance change in demand against capacity and effect on delivery.
• Initiate fabric development.
• Secure all secondary & test yardage needed for first protos.
• Maintain fabric information library including price, minimums for samples and stock, weight & width, yarn size and vendor contact information.
• Initiate approval for purchase of sample fabric.
• Prepare stock approved fabric standards for all CMT fabrics and distribute to fabric mills, 3rd party testing facility, to be used as the production standard for inspection.
• Coordinate any R & D related print / pattern for sales samples (i.e trims).
• Manage merchandising/design changes and requests post line finalization.
• Communicate directly with factories and fabric mills regarding program requirements, fabric construction and product development issues.
• Collaborate with the design group on the development of special hangtags.
• Attend handoff at the beginning of each session with Factory and Design.
• Review all proto packets for accuracy and send all proto packets to vendors for production.
• Negotiate minimums, costs, surcharges, pricing for bulk order with vendors to meet margin/target retails.
• Travel of up to 15% may be required.

Experience required

Job Requirements:
• Bachelors Degree preferably with formal education in Apparel and Textiles.
• 3-5 years of Apparel sourcing and product development.
• Prior overseas travel experience is a plus.
• Knowledge of Fabric and Garment Construction.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Must have a thorough knowledge of fabric construction & fabric finishing, garment construction, and costing parameters.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to effectively communicate with cross-functional department
• Ability to work well with tight deadlines in a team environment
• Ability to take projects from start to finish with general supervision

To apply:
To apply for the Product Development and Sourcing Specialist position, please visit our websites at www.munchkin.com or email your resume and work samples to hrjobs@munchkin.com.

We offer dynamic career opportunities with growth potential and a competitive compensation package including health, dental, bonuses, and 401K plan.

Munchkin is an equal opportunity employer.