Senior Developer

About the Company

At Stance, we believe everything starts and ends with our people.  Self-reliant in our attitude, and entrepreneurial in our ethos, we have grit, guts and gratitude.  Stance is a culture that cannot be duplicated - where smart, ambitious, and positive people thrive.

In 2009, we took what was once a stagnant staple and transformed socks into one of the market's most exciting accessories. By unlocking the potential of a canvas too often overlooked, Stance ignited a cultural movement around the world that has attracted visionary artists, athletes and icons to embrace our positive message of individuality and creativity. In the years since, our canvas for self-expression has expanded from toe to head by way of underwear, apparel and headwear. Through innovative materials, superior comfort and artistic design that is the bedrock ethos of our brand, Stance can now be found in over 40 countries for anyone looking to defy convention.  We are Stitched Different®.

About the Role

This position is responsible for hands on product development that positions Stance as a leading brand. You will elevate Stance product by developing unique and original designs for our product categories with a focus on socks while striving to solve the needs of our consumers by driving excellence in product feel, function, quality, and aesthetic.

About the Reporting Structure

This position reports to the Director or Development.

About Primary Responsibilities

Lead - 'Agent of Accuracy'

• Innovation of new products and product improvements that drive strategic early-concept development to offer the design team a system to effectively execute designs.
• Update and mange factory ready technical packages for all development to ensure that product meets design intent, quality, calendar, and costing targets.
• Manage multiple product category development projects at various stages from concept through to start of production.
• Create technical knit design packages for all styles.
• Ensure accurate and timely updates to tech packs, and own implementation and execution of changes to all prototypes through to production ready final samples.

Partner

• Create and update product comment sheets to communicate information effectively with suppliers while building rapport and respectful relationships with integrity.
• Initiate and lead prototype review meetings with agenda, prepared revisions & comments, costing options - capturing and communicating all revisions and requests thereafter.
• Coordinate Sample needs for cross functional Sales and Marketing teams from prototype through to SMS / PPS.
• Collaborative costing / margin development with Merchandising and Supply Chain Team.
• Receive and evaluate product quality and other consumer feedback and develop strategies and workflows to resolve issues.

Contributor

• Assist design team as needed in creating technical sketches, collaborating to achieve clear instructions and packages for suppliers.
• Help to manage color palette, lab dips and other early development constraints as they relate to MOQ, and other limitations.
• Receive and evaluate product quality and other consumer feedback and develop strategies and workflows to resolve issues.
• Optimize internal processes and communications across cross functional teams.

• Maintain a strong knowledge of target market demands, consumers, brand objectives, and design esthetic.
• Develop and maintain strong internal communication and relationships with sales, marketing, and other cross-functional teams to promote an environment of close collaboration.
• Be prepared to clearly and effectively answer questions and present work in a group meeting environment.
• Maintain professional flexibility in a fast-paced and collaborative team- centered environment.

Culture

• Recognizes that Stance is a team sport. 
• Constantly seeks to align themselves to the strategic, financial and cultural plans of the company. 
• Drive performance that delivers excellence in a way that preserves and enhances our ability to get results in the future.
• Foster an entrepreneurial atmosphere that supports continuous improvement, creativity, resourcefulness and a get it done mentality.
• Focus on creativity that enables imagination used to plan our future, solve problems and excite our consumers.
• Consistently express gratitude to acknowledge the help and contributions of others.  
• Demonstrate personal responsibility in order to shepherd and safeguard our values and commitments.

Experience Needed

• 4-6 years in knits wovens / performance apparel development experience.
• Experienced in knitting techniques, flat / circular machines, yarns and garment construction.
• Experience in headwear preferred.
• MA, BA, BFA, BS or Equivalent in Apparel Development or similar.
• Must have competency in Adobe Creative Suite / Illustrator.
• Ability to consistently deliver organized, accurately detailed work on time to partners.
• Keen understanding of youth driven lifestyle markets.
• Technical knowledge of materials, fabrications, construction techniques, tech packs, color systems, and development processes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are needed at a professional level, both in person and in virtual meetings.
• Positive attitude.
• Embraces change.

Location

San Clemente, CA