Associate Manager, Product Development - Women's Apparel

About the Company

This company is focused on making sustainable fashion widely accessible. Founded in 2009, it has been recognized by major business and industry publications, earned awards for its carbon footprint efforts, and is working toward ambitious goals such as becoming climate positive by 2025 and circular by 2030. It operates a global retail footprint with 50+ stores, a sustainable factory in Los Angeles, and product innovation across categories including accessories, swimwear, and sleepwear.

The organization emphasizes an inclusive, mission-driven culture where people are encouraged to grow, contribute, and belong.

Work Schedule and Location

This position is based on-site at the Vernon office in Los Angeles and follows a Monday through Friday, 5-day in-office schedule.

Role Overview

The Associate Manager, Product Development will oversee the end-to-end development of women’s apparel, from initial concept through production handoff. The role requires strong ownership of timelines, margins, and product quality, along with close coordination across internal teams and external vendors.

This is a highly accountable, detail-oriented role suited to someone who works well in a fast-moving, metrics-driven setting. The ideal candidate takes initiative, communicates clearly, solves issues early, and manages multiple priorities with minimal oversight.

What You'll Do

• Lead the complete apparel product development workflow and keep milestones on track across product development, technical design, and production.
• Monitor and manage development deliverables such as BOM accuracy, sample movement, and approvals so styles stay on schedule.
• Measure vendor performance against scorecard KPIs, including lead time, development timeliness, and quality, and escalate issues when needed.
• Handle vendor exceptions by identifying the root causes of delays and putting corrective actions in place.
• Understand product cost structure and leverage cost drivers to support negotiations that protect margin and meet calendar goals.
• Maintain cost sheets and ensure pricing updates are completed accurately and on time, with clear rationale for any changes.
• Work with vendors to solve costing and lead-time challenges while keeping business needs and vendor capabilities aligned.
• Keep ERP, BOM, and WIP tracking systems current and transparent for all cross-functional partners.
• Communicate in a direct, concise, and proactive way with design, merchandising, materials, technical design, purchasing, and production teams.
• Flag risks early, present solutions alongside issues, and provide leadership with clear status updates.
• Ensure team ownership is always clear so deliverables move forward without unnecessary delays.
• Follow company systems and SOPs carefully and consistently.
• Maintain BOM records in the shared system with complete and accurate information, avoiding offline or fragmented tracking.
• Attend daily fittings, document actionable feedback, and follow through quickly to ensure corrections are made.
• Partner weekly with production to confirm styles are ready for production and compatible with factory capabilities.
• Own sample logistics, including ETA tracking and readiness for fittings and approvals.
• Plan and prioritize work independently so deadlines are met without heavy supervision.
• Support department financial goals, including top-line revenue and inventory objectives.
• Look for opportunities to improve processes, strengthen vendor performance, and optimize costs.
• Assist with sourcing and onboarding new vendors to expand the supply base and improve cost and lead time outcomes.
• Contribute to strategic departmental initiatives and participate actively in business-critical meetings with preparation and solutions.

Performance Expectations

• Deadlines must be met, and any risk of delay should be communicated early with a clear resolution plan.
• Data must be accurate and fully updated in systems; offline tracking and incomplete records are not acceptable.
• Cost management should support better margins and improved lead times.
• Vendor performance should be actively improved, not just reported on.
• Communication across teams should be concise, actionable, and efficient.
• The role requires independent workload management and solution-oriented escalation when support is needed.

Compensation

The anticipated base salary for this role is $80,000 to $90,000 per year, plus 5% bonus eligibility. Final compensation may vary depending on experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity. Bonus eligibility and amounts are discretionary and not guaranteed.

Benefits and Perks

• Employer-sponsored medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus commuter benefits for eligible employees.
• Paid time off policies that include vacation, sick leave, and company holidays for eligible employees.
• Retirement planning support, including the option to invest in ESG-aligned funds.
• Opportunity to work with teams across LA, NYC, London, and a global retail organization.
• Fertility care support through Carrot and up to $5,000 USD in reimbursement for related expenses after 1 year of employment.
• Annual donations to causes supported by employees.
• Clothing discount, culture events, Ref Values week, and Volunteer Time Off.

Equal Opportunity and Application Notes

This employer is committed to equal opportunity and inclusive hiring. Qualified candidates will be considered regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status, in line with applicable laws.

Accommodations are available during the application and interview process for candidates who need them.

The company encourages applicants not to self-select out if they do not meet every requirement and welcomes those who are passionate about sustainability and excited by the role.

CRPA notice is available separately.