Associate Product Developer, Sampling [AQ-13967]

Aquent is partnering with a leading global brand in the retail sector, renowned for its iconic products and commitment to quality, to find a highly organized and detail-oriented individual with a passion for product development. We are seeking a dynamic professional to join our client’s team in a pivotal role where you will be the driving force behind the end-to-end sampling process for assigned product categories. This position offers the unique opportunity to directly influence critical business decisions and creative direction, ensuring our product assortment is accurately represented and delivered on time, making a tangible impact on product launches and market presence.

This newly created role is essential to supporting a growing workload within the Product Development team. You will manage the entire sampling lifecycle, from the initial prepositioning of sample yardage to the ordering and tracking of garment samples. Your daily collaboration with Design, Product Development, Raw Materials, and Merchandising teams will be crucial in ensuring the timely and accurate representation of the product assortment, directly supporting strategic business decisions and creative needs. You will also be responsible for building and maintaining readiness reports at both the material and style levels, providing vital insights leading into key milestones.

What You Will Do

• Own the ordering, management, and tracking of sample yardage from prepositioning through delivery.
• Order and meticulously track garment samples for your designated product categories.
• Facilitate daily communication with raw material suppliers, garment vendors, and various internal departments.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive readiness reports in Excel for both material and style levels.
• Serve as the primary point of contact and subject matter expert for all sampling-related inquiries within your categories.
• Proactively identify and flag potential timeline risks, driving cross-functional resolution to keep projects on track.

What You Bring

• Prior experience in product development, sampling, raw materials, or a closely related apparel industry role.
• Strong proficiency in Excel for effective tracking and reporting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, enabling clear and effective interaction with vendors and cross-functional partners.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills, with the proven ability to manage multiple product categories simultaneously.
• A calm and adaptable demeanor, comfortable thriving in a fast-paced, high-volume work environment.
• A positive, outgoing, and team-first attitude, fostering collaborative success.
• Open to early-career candidates, including recent graduates with a minimum of 6 months of relevant work experience or an internship in a similar function.

Nice to Have

• Experience with product lifecycle management (PLM) software.
• Solid understanding of fabric and raw materials.
• Background in the apparel or intimates industry.

About Aquent Talent Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world’s biggest brands. Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium. More information on our awesome benefits!

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We’re about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.