Product Development Coordinator

Are you a highly organized and detail-oriented individual with a passion for product development and bringing innovative designs to life? Join our client, a renowned global retail brand, and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of their product assortments. In this dynamic position, you will be the central point for all sampling activities, directly impacting critical business decisions and ensuring the timely and accurate representation of products that delight customers worldwide.

**About Our Client:**

Our client is a globally recognized leader in the retail industry, known for its commitment to quality, innovation, and delivering exceptional products to its vast customer base. They are dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive environment where creativity flourishes and every team member contributes to their mission of inspiring confidence and joy through their offerings. Partnering with Aquent, they are seeking a talented individual to join their dynamic product development team.

**About the Role:**

We are seeking a dedicated and proactive individual to step into a crucial role within our client's product development team. This position is at the heart of bringing product concepts to reality, where your meticulous coordination of the sampling process will directly influence product quality, design accuracy, and market readiness. You will be the go-to expert for all sampling needs within your designated product categories, ensuring that every detail is perfect and every deadline is met, making a tangible impact on the product lifecycle from concept to customer.

**What You'll Do:**

As a key contributor, you will manage the entire sampling lifecycle, from initial material ordering to the final garment sample delivery. Your efforts will ensure that design concepts are accurately translated into physical samples, enabling critical business decisions and supporting creative needs. You'll be instrumental in maintaining project timelines, managing vendor relationships, and providing essential readiness reporting to leadership, directly contributing to the successful launch of new collections.

**Key Responsibilities:**

* Coordinate the end-to-end sampling process, including ordering sample yardage for various color samples.

* Process vendor and supplier invoices related to sample materials and production costs.

* Take ownership of all sampling needs for assigned product categories, ensuring accurate and timely receipt of garment samples.

* Maintain consistent communication with vendors and suppliers to ensure adherence to the brand calendar and project timelines.

* Act as a central liaison between various cross-functional partners, including design, product development, raw materials, marketing, and merchandising teams, as well as external vendors and suppliers.

* Participate in weekly cross-functional meetings to stay informed on product assortment and business priorities, representing all sampling-related topics.

* Manage seasonal sample yardage cost and readiness reporting, providing crucial insights to leaders and the broader business.

* Keep seasonal sample trackers updated and deliver readiness reports to teams in preparation for key milestone meetings.

* Support the creation of leadership dashboards, contributing headlines and metrics for milestone presentations.

* Proactively observe business processes, anticipate potential needs, and identify areas for continuous improvement.

* Prioritize and manage workload effectively, handling competing deliverables and business priorities with precision.

**Must-Have Qualifications:**

* Bachelor's degree in product development or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

* 1 - 3 years of relevant experience in a product development or sampling coordination role.

* Demonstrated strong, consistent problem-solving abilities and effective, results-driven communication with business partners.

* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

* Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

* Solid knowledge of the product lifecycle, particularly within a retail environment.

* Highly organized with strong collaboration, communication, and interpersonal skills.

* Basic understanding of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems.

* Self-motivated, goal-oriented, and capable of working both independently and as a team player.

* Ability to prioritize tasks and effectively multi-task in a fast-paced environment.

* Basic knowledge of garment construction.

* Detail-oriented and possessing a positive, outgoing attitude.

**Nice-to-Have Qualifications:**

* Experience with and/or basic fabric knowledge.

**About Aquent Talent:**

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world's biggest brands.

Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. More information on our awesome benefits!

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We're about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.