Product Development Assistant (Sleepwear) in New York, New York at Dreamwear Inc

Dreamwear is a leading wholesale intimate apparel and sleepwear company partnering with iconic brands including Juicy Couture, Laura Ashley, Nautica, Danskin, and many more. Through strong global partnerships and deep product expertise, we bring branded apparel from concept to market with a focus on great design, quality, value, and execution. Our products are sold through many of the world’s leading retailers, making Dreamwear a trusted partner across a diverse and growing portfolio of brands. (Visit https://www.dreamwear.com/our-brands to learn more)

We are entering an exciting period of growth within our Sleepwear division, including the addition of renowned brands Cosabella and Hanky Panky to our portfolio. As our business continues to expand, we are looking for two Product Development Assistants to join our Sleepwear teams (one for Kids and one for Ladies) to help bring an exciting and diverse assortment of products from concept through production.

Our Product Development team serves as the critical link between Design and our global factory partners, helping transform creative concepts into commercially viable, production-ready product. Within Sleepwear, the team works across a wide range of silhouettes, fabrications, prints, colors, trims, and seasonal collections, coordinating each detail to ensure the final product delivers on the intended design, quality, cost, and timeline.

The Product Development Assistant will support the team throughout the development and production process, working closely with Product Development Managers, Design, and overseas factories to keep samples, materials, approvals, purchase orders, and production milestones moving forward. This is a highly hands-on role that offers exposure to the full product lifecycle and an excellent opportunity to build a strong foundation in apparel product development.

The ideal candidate is organized, detail-oriented, proactive, and eager to learn. You should enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, be comfortable juggling multiple styles and deadlines, and have the follow-through to make sure details do not fall through the cracks.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Communicate daily with overseas manufacturers and production offices regarding product development, sampling, approvals, and production status.
• Assist with the development and execution of sleepwear styles from initial concept through production.
• Prepare purchase orders for overseas factories and track production and delivery status to support timely execution.
• Maintain time-and-action calendars and production tracking charts, proactively following up on upcoming deadlines and outstanding items.
• Initiate and track development samples, fabric and trim submissions, lab dips, strike-offs, testing, approvals, and other product development requests.
• Coordinate with Design and factory partners on fabrics, trims, colors, prints, construction details, and other product specifications throughout the development process.
• Follow up on product specifications, quality standards, sample deadlines, testing requirements, approvals, and deliveries.
• Enter and maintain accurate product information within our production management system, including style setup and purchase order creation and maintenance.
• Coordinate and track pre-production, photo, customer, and TOP samples.
• Review incoming samples and submissions against outstanding requests and communicate any discrepancies or missing information to the appropriate team member.
• Receive, organize, and distribute incoming samples and packages from overseas vendors.
• Maintain organized product development samples, fabric and trim references, and other seasonal development materials.
• Proactively identify outstanding items or potential timing issues and escalate them to the appropriate Product Development team member.
• Support Product Development Managers with seasonal development, special projects, and additional priorities as needed.

Job Requirements & Qualifications

• 0–2 years of relevant experience; prior internship or work experience in apparel, sleepwear, intimates, product development, production, or sourcing is a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Strong interest in apparel and the product development process; an interest in sleepwear, intimates, fabrics, and garment construction is a plus.
• Exceptional attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple styles, samples, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously.
• Strong organizational and follow-through skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proactive and resourceful, with the confidence to follow up with internal teams and external partners to keep projects moving.
• Self-starter who can work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative team environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a willingness to ask questions, learn, and take ownership.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Desire to learn, develop, and grow within the company.

* This job description is not intended to be exhaustive. Duties and responsibilities may be changed or modified at any time at the discretion of management.

Compensation & BenefitsThe base salary range for this position is $52k - $58k per year, paid hourly, as this is a non-exempt role.

The base salary range represents the low and high end of the anticipated salary range for this position. The actual salary offered will depend on numerous factors including, without limitation, experience and business objectives. Our base salary is just one component of our total rewards package that also includes other health and wealth benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance; pre-tax commuter/parking and other flexible spending accounts; paid time off plus many additional holidays; 401(k); gym discount; and more.