What are the responsibilities and job description for the Product Development Manager position at FRAME?
FRAME is an American fashion brand renowned for its collections in denim, cotton, leather and cashmere.
The company’s founders Erik Torstensson and Jens Grede strive to design a modern versatile wardrobe through signature denim fits, cotton shirting and coveted leather pieces.
Since the brand’s inception in 2012 in Los Angeles, California, FRAME has evolved from making handcrafted denim to offering ready-to-wear and accessories collections in the finest natural materials.
FRAME is committed to sustainable and fair manufacturing practices, balancing profit with a commitment to people and planet.
Today, FRAME is sold through its own retail stores and e-commerce as well as through leading department stores and boutiques across the world
Role Overview:
The Denim PD Manager will serve a critical role in coordinating style development from concept through production handoff. This role will be responsible for daily communication between internal departments as well as international and domestic partners. An ideal candidate will be self-motivated, detail-oriented, have strong problem-solving skills, knowledgeable in denim and be able to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining positive working relationships with all departments. The Manager of Product Development will also assist in monitoring workflow to vendors and sample order tracking. This position will report to the Director of Product Development.
Responsibilities:
Maintain all charts/reports related to the product development process both domestic and with international vendors. Establish and manage clear tracking on all sms and protos with all vendors.
Track fabric, lab dips, handlooms, strike offs, wash submits, trim requests, etc, and vet through before passing to design
Communicate daily with overseas factories and domestic vendors
Establish and update Proto and SMS tracker with style updates and changes
Develop and maintain strong cross-functional relationships with design/tech/production in regards to changes, discrepancies, approvals, etc
Develop raw materials with suppliers based on design direction and negotiate material costs as needed
Understand and communicate any potential production issues with vendors and internal teams
Track, receive, check in all SMS and Protos seasonally
Support design with sourcing/developing fabric each season from inception to approval
Review and communicate style/material minimums, lead-times, and early commits to merchandising and production
Be proactive partner on getting sms and proto yardage to vendor
Track all proto and SMS samples within time constraints. Update the merchandising team regularly on sample status.
Establish development calendar trigger and travel dates and coordinate scheduling with vendors.
Initiate costing with vendors based on development for any styles that are outside of traditional fabric, sewing, wash for denim – any ‘red flags’.
Submit Pos in FC properly coded to vendors and mills for ordering fabric, trims, and samples.
Skills & Requirements:
5-7 years experience communicating with overseas denim vendors required
Working knowledge of apparel development & experience with textiles
Understanding of tech packs and apparel technical communication required
Can manage quick timelines efficiently and independently
Flexible, organized, and adaptable to the changing needs of the business
Strong communication skills & extremely detail-oriented
Ability to proactively troubleshoot and problem solve
Ability to self-prioritize workflow to ensure deadlines are met in a fast-paced, dynamic, high-pressure environment
Must be proficient in Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, and Outlook
