Apparel Developer in Newport Beach, California at LSPACE

About Us
We are a contemporary swim and lifestyle brand rooted in effortless style, elevated essentials, and a confident point of view. Our collections are designed to move with her, balancing fashion, function, and fit.

Position Overview
The Women's Apparel Developer is responsible for leading the development process from concept through production readiness. This role partners closely with Design, Technical Design, Merchandising, Sourcing, and overseas vendors to ensure products meet design intent, quality standards, costing targets, and calendar deadlines. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in apparel construction, fabrics, fit, and garment engineering.

Key Responsibilities:
- Manage the complete product development process for women's apparel collections from concept through bulk production.
- Collaborate with Design to ensure design intent is achieved while maintaining manufacturability and cost targets.
- Partner with Technical Design throughout the fitting process to achieve optimal fit, construction, and garment performance.
- Develop and maintain seasonal development calendars and ensure all milestones are achieved.
- Review prototypes, SMS, PPS, TOP, and production samples for quality, workmanship, construction, fit, and overall appearance.
- Work closely with overseas factories and suppliers to resolve technical, construction, and production issues.
- Source and develop innovative fabrics.
- Negotiate development costs and support cost engineering to meet margin objectives.
- Monitor sample progress and proactively resolve delays to maintain on-time delivery.
- Ensure all products comply with company quality standards and testing requirements.
- Review lab dip approvals, print strike-offs, color standards, wash developments, and fabric performance.
- Partner with QA and Production teams to ensure a smooth transition from development into bulk production.
- Identify opportunities for construction improvements, cost savings, and process efficiency.
- Maintain accurate product information within the PLM system.
- Support vendor performance evaluations and continuous improvement initiatives.
Qualifications:
- 5+ years of product development experience.
- Strong knowledge of construction, grading, fit, patternmaking, sewing techniques, and fabric performance.
- Experience working directly with overseas factories, particularly in Asia.
- Strong understanding of fabrics including nylon/spandex, recycled materials, linings, elastics, bonding, and specialty trims.
- Knowledge of garment testing requirements, colorfastness, stretch and recovery, chlorine resistance, and quality standards.
- Experience with PLM systems.
- Excellent project management and organizational skills.
- Strong communication and negotiation skills.
- Ability to manage multiple seasonal calendars simultaneously.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office.

Preferred Skills
- Extensive knowledge of women's apparel fit and garment engineering.
- Experience working with premium or contemporary brands.
- Strong understanding of costing and sourcing strategies.
- Ability to travel internationally to vendors and factories as needed.
- Strong problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- On-time sample delivery
- Development calendar compliance
- First sample approval rate
- Fit approval efficiency
- Product quality and reduced development issues
- Cost target achievement
- Vendor performance improvements
- Successful on-time bulk production readiness

Compensation & Benefits
- Hybrid work schedule of 3x/week in office Newport Beach, CA
- Competitive salary based on experience
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits
- 401k plan with employer match
- Paid time off and company holidays
- Employee product discount