Sr. Product Developer

Company Overview

Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform. The company ignites the passions of global sports fans and maximizes the presence and reach for hundreds of sports partners globally by offering innovative products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports fans to Buy, Collect and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform, sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million global sports fans, a global partner network with over 900 sports properties, including major national and international professional sports leagues, teams, players associations, athletes, celebrities, colleges, and college conferences, and over 2,000 retail locations, including its Lids retail business stores. 

As a market leader with more than 18,000 employees, and hundreds of partners, suppliers, and vendors worldwide, we take responsibility for driving toward more ethical and sustainable practices. We are committed to building an inclusive Fanatics community, reflecting and representing society at every level of the business, including our employees, vendors, partners and fans. Fanatics is also dedicated to making a positive impact in the communities where we all live, work, and play through strategic philanthropic initiatives.

As the Senior Developer, you will utilize your advanced knowledge related to product patterns, fit, and construction.  You will work closely with design and merchandising to understand the creative vision of each project and translate concepts into product. You will work closely with all in-house teams, along with oversea vendors to ensure production. In Product Creation and Development, the Senior Developer will be involved in the first stages of creating new products, commercialization and getting them to the consumers. This involves everything from idea generation, materials and construction, materials sourcing, product testing and product confirmation. 

• Oversight of development across multiple Channels of distribution
• Partner with quality and materials team to anticipate & resolve potential quality issues
• Partners with Creative and Materials Team to develop and engineer product in accordance to cost target and vendor capabilities 
• Leads pre-costing efforts for the channel of distribution with vendor and internal partners 
• Manage development projects from insights, through concepts, validation and into seasonal integrations in collaboration with project teams
• Work with Design to proactively manage the styling, material and trim requirements relative to manufacturability, performance, quality, cost, lead-times and minimums
• Maintain cost and master bill of materials during development process
• Ensure the delivery and evaluation of quality lab dips/print strike-offs and communicate comments to vendor
• Communicate information and any issues to all related internal parties as well as to overseas mills, agents, and manufacturers
• International and domestic travel as required to achieve a high level of product and technology development, including visits to manufacturing facilities, R&D partners and consumers to assist in the creation, development, commercialization and integration of product
• Mentor the Development Team
• Passion for product and innovation
• Develop product that ranges from a Basic Tee to an Innovative Performance Garment
• Create strong team interaction with Merchandising, Design, Production, Planning, Materials Research, Quality Assurance to ensure a coordinated and efficient process
• Foster and maintain key partnerships with vendors
• Create and maintain dashboarding of product development metrics for corporate transparency and executive review
• Review and continuously update standard operating procedures in partnership with team for best departmental efficiencies and practices
• Work on special projects as assigned

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field
• Sports industry / active apparel experience strongly preferred 
• 7 years relevant experience in apparel product development and management
• Advanced technical knowledge of fabric, construction, and product engineering
• Advanced knowledge of factory operations as they relate to costing and manufacturing limitations
• Experience working with vendors in Asia and South/Central America
• Understanding of apparel and raw material testing
• Working knowledge of tariffs and duty rates
• Understanding of supply chain logistics
• Intimately familiar with industry standard development processes/procedures, quality standards and compliance regulations
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with an advanced ability to communicate new ideas, concepts, and functional expertise within project teams and to external stakeholder
• Excellent interpersonal skills that inspire and build trust resulting in effective working relationships across the company
• Demonstration of innovation and initiative - Curious and open minded: always open for a challenge. Ability to challenge the status quo – always looking at improving product and processes while also displaying a willingness to dive into the details
• Ability to introduce and implement new processes and procedures
• Ability to communicate across multiple cultural and experience levels, internal & external
• Proven leadership skills are a must
• Strong Computer skills in Excel, Word and necessary systems needed
• Travel Required

Ensure your Fanatics job offer is legitimate and don’t fall victim to fraud.  Fanatics never seeks payment from job applicants. Feel free to ask your recruiter for a phone call or other type of communication for interview, and ensure your communication is coming from a Fanatics or Fanatics Brand email address.  For added security, where possible, apply through our company website at www.fanaticsinc.com/careers

Tryouts are open at Fanatics! Our team is passionate, talented, unified, and charged with creating the fan experience of tomorrow. The ball is in your court now.

Fanatics is committed to responsible planning and purchasing (RPP) practices, working with its business partners across its global and multi-layered supply chain, to ensure that planning, sourcing, and purchasing decisions, along with other supporting processes, do not impede or conflict with the fulfillment of Fanatics’ fair labor practices.

NOTICE TO CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS/APPLICANTS: In connection with your application, we collect information that identifies, reasonably relates to or describes you (“Personal Information”). The categories of Personal Information that we collect include your name, government issued identification number(s), email address, mailing address, other contact information, emergency contact information, employment history, educational history, criminal record, and demographic information.  We collect and use those categories of Personal Information about you for human resources and other business management purposes, including identifying and evaluating you as a candidate for potential or future employment or other types of positions, recordkeeping in relation to recruiting and hiring, conducting criminal background checks as permitted by law, conducting analytics, and ensuring compliance with applicable legal requirements and Company policies. For additional information on how we collect and use personal information in connection with your job application, review our Candidate Privacy Policy-CA