Carhartt

Position Details: Title: Manager, Product Development, Women’sDepartment: Global Product DevelopmentReports to: Director, Global Product DevelopmentLocation: Dearborn, MIJob Classification: HybridFLSA Status: ExemptJob Band: Manager Job Summary The Manager, Global Product Development, Women’s manages the overall development process. Leading a Product Development team, this role is responsible for the execution and delivery of new products in partnership with Design, Merchant, Sourcing, and Technical Design teams. Taking into consideration design details, company standards, technical issues, and vendor capabilities, the GPD Manager ensures that product design is interpreted and manufactured to Carhartt standards, brand DNA, and within cost targets. The GPD Manager stays abreast of emerging and existing competitive brands and their technologies; leads seasonal competitive shopping and product testing that feed into benchmarking for existing product and raw materials; and identifies new opportunities to create competitive advantage. Inspired by Hard Work At Carhartt, the values of hard work—dependability, honesty, and trust—are rooted in the legacy of our founder, Hamilton Carhartt. His commitment to serving hardworking people continues to inspire everything we do. Guided by his legacy and our mission—We serve and protect all hardworking people by building durable products—we remain dedicated to upholding these principles in every decision we make and every product we create. Associate Responsibilities Manage and lead the Women’s Product Development team by hiring, training, coaching, counseling, developing and strong mentoring. Create an environment that supports and rewards strong performance and professional growth. Foster an environment that promotes open communication, creativity, and sharing of ideas/best practices. Manage the overall development process in support of the product and business strategies. Includes 1st proto review, BOM details, finished goods testing, wash development and testing, lab dip requests, artwork (graphics, prints, handlooms) execution, and trim card approval. Executes Design vision and concept through seasonal prototype and exploratory samples. Ensures that all BOM’s (bill of materials) for sketches, fabric, trim, packaging & label are accurate in PLM system and within cost targets of specific style. Leads Resource development in partnership with Sourcing and company’s overall global product strategy. Ensures consistent consumer experience through development of program, materials, construction details, and cost. Leads bi-weekly product development meetings across cross-functional teams (Design, TD, Merchandising, and Sourcing) to ensure seasonal developments on track to Go To Market timelines. Alerts red flags to the business unit and partners with Carhartt teams and suppliers to bring issue resolution. Partner with Sourcing team to troubleshoot any development issues during prototype execution and/or seasonal raw material development, including but not limited to, pricing, manufacturing location, MOQ, delivery, and lead time. Leads Product Development team and partners with cross functional teams to outline and implement new processes and hindsight established processes to bring new or improved efficiencies to global product development. Leads team in collaboration with Design and Merchandising on seasonal shopping for competitive analysis; manages competitive testing and analyzes data in comparison to existing product line. Brings innovation and recommendation to company through competitive research. Continue to build on technical expertise and stay abreast of changes in the law, regulations, duties/tariffs, and industry trends related to the apparel and textile industry and with a focus on how these changes and/or trends can influence and support divisional and company strategies. Required Education Bachelor’s degree in Apparel, Textiles, or related field; or equivalent years of related experience in lieu of degree. Required Skills & Experience Minimum 6 years of experience in product development within the Apparel industry, with minimum three years of leadership experience. Strong garment construction, fabric, trim and color development background within the Apparel industry. Demonstrated pro-active, self-starter, with the ability to independently manage highly complex product through the development cycle to play an integral role within a broader team, connect the department and individual expectations to company’s product strategy and vision. Strong knowledge in textile, material, and finished goods testing protocols per AATCC, ASTM, and global standards. Follows and understands AAFA and AFIRM RSL chemical safety guidelines. Good strategic and analytical skills and aptitude. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to be flexible, solution oriented and adaptive to changing priorities, as well as effectively manage and resolve conflict. Demonstrated ability to build and foster business relationships with cross functional teams, and internal and external partners. Strong ability to influence, build consensus, and achieve results with an entrepreneurial spirit and comfortable working in a category that has a startup approach. Effective communicator, verbal and written. Strong and confident presentation skills. Strong organization and planning skills; ability to prioritize workloads and manage multiple projects at the same time. Proficiency in PLM, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Illustrator, etc. Physical Requirements and Working Conditions Typical office environment; office setting. Extended periods of time sitting, standing, typing on a computer is required. Willing to work some weekends if necessary. Travel: Up to 30% travel domestically and/or internationally This position has a Hybrid location: Associate will work on-site regularly as needed for work activities. Carhartt is a tobacco free workplace. #LI-HYBRID