Position Title: Jr. Developer, Denim
Position Summary:
The Jr. Developer, Denim supports the Sr. Manager, Product Development, Denim & Unisex in driving denim category development from proto through SMS approval and into production readiness. This forward-thinking role assists in coordinating tech packs, managing sample logistics, maintaining product data, and supporting vendor relationships to ensure styles are executed to brand standards. The Jr. Developer embraces technology and innovation to streamline development workflows, working closely with design and development partners to bring each denim style to life by supporting technical reviews, tracking samples, maintaining accurate product information, and ensuring rigorous preproduction preparation so every product launches production-ready.
Key Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To:
Design & Development Partnership
- Serve as the primary day-to-day partner to the Sr. Design Director, Denim + Cut & Sew, driving alignment on development milestones and sample calendars.
- Assist in gathering wash and development feedback from design and communicating it clearly to factories.
- Help maintain and update design boards with current fabric and wash details by group.
- Maintain and update the physical and digital design boards with current fabric and wash details by group.
Wash Development & Approvals
- Support wash development from initial concept through final approval, tracking each submission against the seasonal wash direction.
- Review and log wash submissions, recording approvals, revisions, and resubmission dates so that status is visible to design and development at all times.
- Coordinate wash standards, lab dips, wash panels, and sew-bys between design, the wash house, and factories, ensuring all parties are working to the same approved reference.
- Review wash consistency across submissions against approved standards, flagging deviations in shade, hand-feel, abrasion, or finishing to the Sr. Manager.
- Track wash and garment performance testing requirements, ensuring required tests are initiated at the correct stage of development.
- Maintain an organized archive of approved wash standards and reference garments for seasonal carryover and reorder reference.
Tech Packs & Style Data
- Review all proto and SMS tech packs for accuracy, confirming specs, materials, trims, wash, and finishing details are complete and correct. Leverage technology tools and data management to ensure consistency and accuracy across all submissions.
- Input style data into RLM under supervision, including style numbers, sketches, descriptions, and BOMs; support the setup of raw materials each season.
- Help maintain shared databases of denim fits, washes, and fabric names for reference across the team. Perform quality checks on product knowledge descriptions.
Sampling & Vendor Management
- Support the launch of proto and SMS development by communicating with factories and ensuring they have clear direction on sample specifications.
- Order all trims, fabrics, and materials needed for sampling, for both domestic and overseas factories, and gather any standards or sew-bys factories require.
- Help coordinate daily vendor communication, flagging potential timeline risks and ensuring follow-up on key deadlines.
- Support the collection of fabric data sheets, lead times, and MOQs from suppliers.
- Support coordination with the trim team on trim needs.
- Support tracking of print and custom color development on fabrics.
Testing & Quality
- Support required garment and fabric testing by coordinating submissions with vendors and third-party labs to agreed timelines.
- Track test reports, log results, and promptly flag failures or borderline results to the Sr. Manager and the relevant vendor.
- Assist in resolving quality, construction, and workmanship issues identified during development, documenting corrective actions and confirming they are reflected in the following submission.
- Support fit and construction reviews by preparing samples, capturing comments, and communicating revisions clearly to factories.
- Ensure approved standards, spec revisions, and construction corrections are accurately reflected in production-ready documentation prior to handoff.
Preproduction Preparation & Production Readiness
- Support preproduction preparation by ensuring all technical documentation, approvals, and quality standards are finalized and production-ready.
- Coordinate final fit, construction, wash, and finish reviews to confirm products meet brand standards before handoff to production.
- Verify that all production-critical information—including updated tech packs, construction specs, materials, trims, and approved finishes—is accurate and documented.
- Assist in conducting final quality checks and ensuring corrective actions from SMS are incorporated into production documentation.
- Support the transition of development samples to production by ensuring continuity of specifications and quality standards across all vendors.
- Leverage data and digital tools to streamline preproduction workflows and reduce delays in production launch timelines.
Sample Tracking & Logistics
- Assist in maintaining sample logs, tracking all incoming and outgoing samples accurately.
- Maintain an organized system for storing and retrieving samples, and manage the fabric and trim libraries.
- Track all sample hand-off timelines to ensure on-time pass-offs, and manage alterations for protos and SMS as needed.
Calendar & Budget Management
- Support the maintenance of the product development calendar by inputting timelines and distributing updates.
- Assist in coordinating sample ETAs and updating stakeholders on calendar implications.
- Support the processing of development POs and invoice tracking under Sr. Manager oversight.
- Help maintain documentation of team expenses and resource allocation.
Team & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Support cross-functional communication with graphics, trims, and materials teams to ensure alignment on denim developments.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V
In compliance with applicable salary transparency requirements, the potential salary for this position ranges from $67,000 to $70,000, commensurate with experience, knowledge, and skills required.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Product Development, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.
- 1-3 years of experience in product development, preferably in denim; end-to-end experience from proto through SMS approval strongly preferred.
- Familiarity with Microsoft Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) and willingness to learn PLM systems such as RLM.
- Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
- Excellent attention to detail with a commitment to accuracy in data entry and documentation.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills, with ability to interface with internal teams and external vendors.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
- Willingness to learn about denim production, washing processes, and product development workflows. Proactive mindset toward adopting new technologies and process improvements.
- Working knowledge of denim construction, sewing techniques, washes, finishes, trims, and garment construction methods.
- Ability to identify and clearly communicate construction, workmanship, and quality issues to internal partners and vendors.
- Familiarity with garment and fabric testing requirements, including the ability to read and interpret test reports, preferred.
- Comfortable with both detail-oriented work and supporting fast-moving timelines. Forward-thinking approach to problem-solving and openness to innovation in product development processes. Proactive mindset toward adopting new technologies, AI tools, and digital solutions to enhance development workflows and efficiency.
Benefits
We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to:
- Clothing allowance & discounted merchandise
- Healthcare (medical/dental/vision) coverage
- Flexible spending account (FSA) & Commuter benefits
- 401(k) savings plan with employer match
- Summer Fridays