Product Development Director, Knits
: Job Details :

KHAITE is a women s ready-to-wear collection that reimagines classic American sportswear for the twenty-first century. Designed to be cherished, each piece proposes a fresh balance of opposing elements- past and future, masculine and feminine, strength and softness, structure and fluidity, strength and softness, structure and fluidity- while embodying a signature sensuality and ease.

Founded in 2016 by creative director Catherine Holstein, New York-based KHAITE evolves with each new season, building upon a foundation of robust yet polished items distinguished by exceptional materials and subtle yet striking details. The collection (pronounced Kate ) takes its name from the Greek word meaning long, flowing hair .

JOB SUMMARY

The Product Development Director, Knits oversees the entire development process, ensuring garments meet quality standards and collection timelines. They coordinate with design, development, and production teams to manage calendars, budget and optimize workflow efficiency.

This role involves strategic calendar planning, budget tracking, vendor development and optimizing workflow efficiency. Additionally, the Manager ensures accurate product data, mentors assistants and maintains consistency in product representation, all while focusing on quality and cost targets to realize the brand's vision and commercial success..

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Build and strategize the development calendar for the Knit's Ready-to-Wear collection, ensuring alignment with overall brand objectives and seasonal themes
• Coordinate and oversee development meetings, ensuring smooth communication and alignment across teams
• Manage WIP and development calendar, and diligently tracking all sampling activities.
• Continuously optimize the development process by adapting to changes in resources and priorities, seeking opportunities for efficiency gains and improved outcomes.
• Schedule and conduct regular fit sessions with fit models to evaluate garment fit, drape, and overall appearance
• Collaborate with designers and technical developers during fit sessions to ensure design intent is maintained
• Cultivate and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with overseas vendors to ensure smooth and efficient communication
• Oversee show fittings and alterations, ensuring that garments meet the desired aesthetic and fit standards for presentation
• Strategize with the SVP, Product to ensure that all budgetary aspects of the development process are in line with yearly projections and financial goals
• Prepare and manage costing throughout the development process, analyzing data to impact design changes and ensure adherence to cost targets
• Ensure the accuracy and completeness of product data across all relevant parties and in the PLM system to facilitate efficient communication and decision-making
• Oversee the management of PR/E-comm duplicates on a seasonal basis, ensuring consistency and accuracy in product representation across platforms
• Collaborate with production teams to ensure seamless transition from development to manufacturing
• Monitor production timelines and address any challenges that arise to ensure on-time delivery
• Coordinate production schedules with overseas vendors, ensuring timelines are met for sample approval, production runs, and delivery
• Collaborate with design to identify and specify the types and quantities of raw materials and trims needed for each collection
• Coordinate the procurement of raw materials and trims, ensuring timely placement of orders to align with the production timeline
• Monitor order status and follow up with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery of materials to manufacturing facilities

SKILLS & REQUIREMENTS

Interpersonal Skills:

• Exceptional attention to details and organizational skills
• Strong problem-solving and a sense of urgency required
• Build and maintain strong relationships with manufacturers, providing clear communication
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines
• Strong team player

Education/Experience:

• 7-10+ years of experience in Product Development and Production in Knit s category required
• Proficiency in PLM, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Microsoft Excel required
• Proficiency in RLM is a plus

Please note: This job description does not list all the duties of the job. Employees may be asked by management to perform other duties. The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time.

The salary range is $135,000-155,000. The rate of pay offered will be dependent upon the candidates' relevant skills and experience. Other benefits include a company bonus plan, employee discounts, medical, dental, vision, a 401k plan and other ancillary benefits.

KHAITE is an equal opportunity employer. We want to offer an inclusive environment of mutual respect where we welcome diversity and all our employees feel included, developed, and heard. We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. KHAITE recruits and recognizes all types of talent and singularities.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.