Overview
Apparel Technical Design & Product Development Specialist Jobs in Brooklyn Park, MN at Ross Sportswear
The Technical Design & Product Development Specialist supports the product creation process from concept through production. This role partners closely with Design, Sourcing, Production, and overseas factories to develop high-quality apparel that meets fit, construction, quality, and cost expectations. The ideal candidate has a strong technical design background with hands-on product development experience and thrives in a fast-paced, licensed apparel environment.
Responsibilities
Technical Design
- Create and maintain accurate technical packages including construction details, BOMs, measurement specifications, grading, and packaging instructions.
- Review samples and provide detailed fit and construction comments to vendors.
- Conduct fit sessions and update specifications based on fit approvals.
- Ensure consistency of fit and construction across multiple apparel categories.
- Troubleshoot garment construction and manufacturing issues with factories.
Product Development
- Manage the seasonal product development process from design handoff through production approval.
- Build and maintain development calendars to ensure key milestones and delivery dates are achieved.
- Coordinate sample requests, approvals, and revisions with domestic and overseas manufacturing partners.
- Track development status and proactively communicate risks, delays, and solutions.
- Collaborate with Design, Technical Design, Sourcing, Licensing, and Production throughout the product lifecycle.
PLM Ownership
- Lead the implementation, organization, and continuous improvement of the company’s Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system.
- Create and maintain product records, BOMs, colorways, material information, artwork files, specifications, and product revisions.
- Establish standardized product development workflows and documentation within PLM.
- Ensure product data integrity, accuracy, and consistency across all departments.
- Train team members on PLM best practices and support adoption across the organization.
Product Detail & CAD Development
- Develop and maintain accurate apparel CADs, line sheets, and product presentation materials.
- Ensure artwork placement, logo positioning, embellishment specifications, and color application are production-ready and consistent with brand standards.
- Review all product details for accuracy, including trims, labels, packaging, graphics, and decoration placements.
- Collaborate with Design to translate creative concepts into detailed production-ready documentation.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in licensed apparel, collegiate apparel, sportswear, or branded merchandise.
- Knowledge of screen printing, embroidery, appliqué, heat transfer, sublimation, and other apparel embellishment techniques.
- Experience with ERP systems such as Sage or SAP.
- Familiarity with fabric performance, quality standards, and apparel testing.
Success in This Role
- Delivers complete and accurate tech packs.
- Achieves timely sample approvals and fit approvals.
- Maintains strong vendor communication and follow-up.
- Identifies opportunities to improve quality, fit, and development efficiency.
- Supports on-time delivery of seasonal product lines while maintaining brand standards. Drives successful implementation and adoption of the company’s PLM system.
- Maintains accurate, organized, and production-ready product data.
- Delivers detailed, error-free CADs, artwork placement guides, and product documentation.
- Ensures products move efficiently through development while maintaining brand standards.
- Builds strong relationships with Design, Technical Design, Sourcing, and manufacturing partners to deliver high-quality apparel on time
Pay: $75,000.00 – $85,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
Title: Apparel Technical Design & Product Development Specialist
Company: Ross Sportswear
Location: Brooklyn Park, MN
