Product Development & Sourcing Specialist *16 Month Contract*- Mens and Gender Free

Nature & Scope → Your Role at Roots   As the Product Development & Sourcing Specialist *Contract* at Roots, you will play a key role in bringing products from concept through commercialization for our Men’s and Gender Free categories. You will work closely with Design, Materials, Merchandising, Technical Design, Buyers, and Vendors to help guide the development and sourcing process, ensuring each product stays true to the design vision, meets quality standards, aligns with target pricing, and is delivered on schedule within the required timelines.   Key Responsibilities → How You’ll Make an Impact  Work in partnership with Design from initial concept to maintaining product lifecycle   Collaborate on technical packages in PDM, focusing on BOM, and T/pkg updates for production  Determine best construction options during fittings in tandem with Technical Designers  Propose changes and development/ production perspectives to improve products, for better costing and ensure successful commercialization.  Communicate all style development progress to the vendor keeping them updated and addressing concerns to ensure accurate delivery of the product  Facilitate an effective and accurate costing process, including cost negotiation and delivery of 1st protos, to achieve best possible margin  Perform root cause analysis and communicate finding; recommending solutions to resolve issues  Anticipate and identify potential obstacles and issues from all aspects of development, costing & delivery  Manage Product Samples and production submissions to ensure that deliverables are maintained for all Milestone Meetings  Develop and maintain strong cross-functional relationships with design, buyers, TD, R&D, and merchandising regarding changes / discrepancies / on time delivery etc.  Responsible for final and accurate Tech Packs to vendor  Adhere to company’s product calendar by solving production issues to meet calendar timelines  Responsible for reviewing weekly vendor WIP & calling out production concerns.   Management of Pos & POCNs   Maintain production tracker & other relevant excel documents.   Qualifications & Experience → The Skills You Bring 5 + years’ experience in apparel product development  Knowledge of garment construction and ability to communicate effectively with factories  Strong organizational skills-able to access accurate information as needed  Strong communication skills verbal and written - gives concise and focused information  Excellent time management skills - ability to adhere to calendar deadlines and manage workflow accordingly  Ability to work both independently and cooperatively with a diverse group of people  Team player - ability to negotiate and build consensus across multiple functions.  Proficient PC skills (Microsoft Office) and PLM data management system experience