Apparel Product Development Assistant

Company description

blackcrows was born in 2006 out of the meeting of two worlds - freeskiing pros and industry experts. The company specialises in freeride and touring skis, as well as technical outdoor clothing.

Distributed worldwide, our premium brand has an excellent footprint on the European market and is currently experiencing very strong growth on the North American market.

Based in Chamonix Mont-Blanc and Paris, and also established in California, the brand has retained its DNA: combining design and performance in its products.

More broadly, blackcrows is a state of mind: the culture of skiing and outdoor activities as a way of opening up to the world, the shared pleasure of taking part in a passionate adventure, the desire to commit to the development of an inspiring brand.

Job Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated and organized Apparel Product Development Assistant to support the product creation process from concept through commercialization. This role will involve close collaboration with internal teams, off-shore vendors, and factories, and will provide support throughout the entire product lifecycle. The ideal candidate will be a creative problem solver with strong communication skills and the ability to juggle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.


Key Responsibilities

• Assist in coordinating the product development process, ensuring all stages from
  brief to commercialization are executed seamlessly.
• Actively assist in follow up on all tasks and milestones throughout the Product Development cycle to ensure deadlines are met.
• Communicate daily with cross-functional teams including Design, Merchandising, Technical Design, and Product Development team members.
• Engage with off-shore vendors and factories via email on a daily basis to ensure smooth production and development workflows.
• Assist in maintaining the line plan, including product details, costing, HS codes, and related information. 
• Support the creation and maintenance of techpacks to ensure accurate specifications for product development.
• Assist with sketch revisions and updates, working closely with design teams.
• Assist with measuring and preparing garments for fittings, ensuring products are ready for review.
• Assist in the scheduling and running of fit sessions, documenting comments, photos, and videos as needed.
• Participate during proto reviews, ensuring all feedback and changes are accurately recorded.
• Assist in organizing and maintaining the design and development library, including samples, materials, trims, and color swatches.
• Support the tracking and receipt of all parcels and samples.

This list is not exhaustive and may be added to and/or revised during your assignment, depending on our discussions and your interests.

Hard-skills and experience

• 2-3 years of experience in product design, product development or technical design (3D design a strong plus)
• Astute knowledge of garment construction
• Experience in technical outerwear and/or performance knits is preferred
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a related field, or equivalent experience
• Digital savvy, proficient in Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Microsoft Excel. SAP a strong plus

Soft-skills:

• Detail-Oriented: Able to manage product details and track progress efficiently.
• Entrepreneurial: Proactive with a willingness to take initiative and problem-
  solve.
• Collaborative: Works effectively with cross-functional teams and vendors to
  achieve common goals.
• Creative Problem Solver: Finds solutions to challenges that arise in product
  development.
• Analytical: Comfortable analyzing product data, samples, and technical
  information.
• Organized: Manages tasks, documents, and timelines to maintain product
  development efficiency. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Active-listener and communicator: communicates clearly and concisely, ensuring all team members are aligned on expectations.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to lift more than 25lbs, as there are frequent incoming / outgoing parcels
• Ability to measure garments often and as needed
• Ability to work at a desk for extended periods.

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