Manager, Product Development

Kontoor Brands - Greensboro, NC

Full-time - Manager

Greensboro, NC

10,001+ employees

Apparel Manufacturing

About the position

The Product Development Manager at Kontoor Brands serves as the essential link between the Brand and Supply Chain, ensuring that the product line is executed with the highest quality and timeliness, in alignment with the overall business strategy. This role is pivotal in guaranteeing that the brand not only meets but exceeds its financial targets. The manager is responsible for overseeing the entire product development process, from sampling to final pre-production approvals, ensuring that the execution remains true to the design aesthetic intent. In this position, the manager will assess the best sources and partners that align with the Brand's product strategies and capacity needs, enabling category growth and market innovation. The role requires managing a streamlined workflow process to achieve optimal results, which includes shortening lead times and reducing costs. The manager will also support the implementation of systems and standardized best practices to enhance efficiency. Collaboration is key in this role, as the manager will work closely with the Design team to ensure alignment throughout the development process. This includes coordinating with Fabric, Pattern, and Tech Design to provide accurate and complete product development packages. The manager will organize sample order requests to suppliers, ensuring that all development and sampling activities are tracked and delivered on time. Additionally, the manager is responsible for delivering accurate product costing in adherence to critical calendar milestones and overseeing the development of new trims and label packaging for all product categories. A significant aspect of this role is building and leading a motivated, service-oriented team. The manager will focus on the personal growth and development of direct reports through mentorship and coaching, fostering a results-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the key liaison between the Brand and Supply Chain to ensure quality and timely execution of the product line.
• Oversee the product development process from sampling to final pre-production approvals.
• Assess and identify best sources and partners to drive product strategies and enable category growth.
• Manage efficient workflow processes to achieve optimal results in execution accuracy, lead times, and costs.
• Support the implementation of systems and standardized best practices for product development.
• Collaborate closely with Design, Fabric, Pattern, and Tech Design teams to ensure alignment and accuracy in product development packages.
• Organize and track sample order requests to suppliers for on-time sampling accuracy execution.
• Ensure all development and product sampling activities are tracked and delivered on time for various approvals.
• Deliver accurate product costing in adherence to critical calendar milestone dates.
• Oversee the briefing and development of new trims and label packaging for all product categories.
• Build and lead a motivated, service-oriented team, focusing on personal growth and development of direct reports.

Requirements

• Managerial product development/sourcing experience.
• In-depth knowledge of the apparel industry, particularly in Denim.
• Experience working in medium to large companies and interacting with cross-functional teams.
• Proven ability to manage teams of 3-5 direct reports.
• University degree or equivalent, preferably in a technical college textile-related field.
• High proficiency with MS Office applications (Teams, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, Word).
• Excellent time management skills and ability to multi-task while meeting deadlines.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Result-driven and service-oriented team player.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.

Benefits

• Paid parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement
• Flexible Fridays
• Discounts on apparel