Product Creation Lead

Job description

Inspired by Hard Work At Carhartt, the values of hard work—dependability, honesty, and trust—are rooted in the legacy of our founder, Hamilton Carhartt. His commitment to serving hardworking people continues to inspire everything we do. Guided by his legacy and our mission—We serve and protect all hardworking people by building durable products—we remain dedicated to upholding these principles in every decision we make and every product we create. Position Details Title: Product Creation Lead Department: Sourcing, Carhartt Korea Reports to: Manager, Merchandising Location: Seoul, South Korea Job Classification: Onsite Job Summary The Product Creation Lead is responsible for ensuring the successful development of products and execution of timelines. This role leads the daily execution of products by adhering to Carhartt product standards. The Product Creation Lead is accountable for accuracy of BOMs and samples as well as adherence to timelines and partnership with suppliers. This position will build and foster strong collaborative relationships with Sourcing, Product Creation, Global Product Supply & Operations, other internal teams, and external partners. Associate Responsibilities • Leads the successful execution of the creation process and maintains the accuracy of BOMs for assigned category from proto to production stage. Coordinates communication with internal and external partners. • Troubleshoot any developments, including but not limited to manufacturing locations, pricing, MOQ, delivery issues, and lead time. • Provide comments to suppliers within an established timeline to execute additional samples and protos that align to the EGTM calendar. • Responsible for the proto and sample evaluation process, including measurements, garment specs, and construction evaluations. • Conduct fit sessions with cross-functional teams ensuring the garment meets the aesthetic vision of design, as well as fits, functions, and meets the desired needs for end use. • Ensure BOM is meeting production readiness criteria and resolve any open issues before production. • Manages relationships with Design and Merchandising to understand category design intention and Merchandising’s business needs of each style as it relates to the designer’s vision and style requirements to execute all development details as it relates to prototype creation. • Oversees the exceptions reporting process by detailing what the components or decisions are delaying prototype development and presenting all high-risk issues to the cross functional teams by partnering with them to relay all business implications. • Responsible for upholding the quality standards for each product developed based on Carhartt requirements and their end use and testing standards, while driving innovation forward. Ensure all developments are commercially successful. • Leads building new processes to meet the needs of team direction and modify existing processes to gain efficiency. • Utilize systems to track product development and communicate status to cross-functional partners. Adhere to Go-to-Market Calendar deadlines for all parts of the development process. • Partner with Sourcing to understand the overall sourcing strategy and lead conversations with the creation team to communicate the development plans for all products; this includes resourcing. • Continue to build technical expertise and industry trends related to the textile/apparel industry, including new technologies and focus on how these changes and/or trends can influence and support divisional and company strategies. Required Education • Bachelor's degree in textiles, apparel, operations, supply chain, or related field; or equivalent years of related experience in lieu of degree. Required Skills & Experience • Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience. • Strong fabric, trim, and color development background within the Apparel or Textile industry. • Good strategic and analytical skills and aptitude. • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to be flexible, solution-oriented, and adaptive to changing priorities, as well as effectively managing and resolve conflict. • Demonstrates the ability to build and foster business relationships with cross functional teams, and internal and external partners. • Effective communicator, verbal and written. Strong and confident presentation skills. • Excellent organization and planning skills; and the ability to prioritize workloads and manage multiple projects at the same time. • Proficient in computer skills: Excel, Word, Illustrator, Adobe Illustrator, and PLM systems. Physical Requirements and Working Conditions • Normal office environment cubicle/ office setting. Extended periods of time sitting, standing, typing on a computer is required. • Willing to work some weekends if necessary. • International travel required (up to 25%). • This position has an On-Site location: Associate will work on-site for all work-related activities. • Carhartt is a tobacco free workplace. This position offers a comprehensive suite of medical, dental, and vision insurance for associates and their dependents. In addition to healthcare coverage, Carhartt provides short-term and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, an employee assistance program, and a 401(k) plan with employer matching contributions. Employees can also benefit from paid time off and designated paid holidays. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All associates are required to understand and act in accordance with the Carhartt Core Values. Carhartt reserves the right to change, modify, suspend, interpret or cancel in whole or in any part, the job duties outlined above at any time and without advance notice to the employee.