APPAREL PROJECT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER/MERCHANT

Creative Apparel Concepts, Inc is a Minneapolis based Company that designs and develops innovative apparel ideas for mass merchants, high end retailers and speciatlty stores throughout the country. We are currently looking for an Apparel Project Development Manager/Merchant who can communicate and coordinate all necessary information internally and externally that supports on time Buy Ready for all assigned projects. The PDM will be working on Special Make-Ups (SMU) within our apparel division. 

   
RESPONSIBILITIES: 
***Translate design vision and consumer needs into products that supports the company’s product strategy. The PDM will take Ownership for the entire project management process for garment products, with an emphasis on quality product development and timely completion of all tasks in accordance with applicable operating calendar.  
***Establish and maintain strong working relationships with vendors, design, materials development and innovation, quality, costing, and sourcing, managing designated projects to ensure an on time buy ready performance.  
***Prototyping and implementation of new and innovative designs, components, processes, materials and concepts into a manufacturable and marketable finished product. 
***Work with vendors in the product development stage to create prototypes that address desired function, look, market appeal, and manufacturability; this includes inspection of prototypes for quality and fit and conduct fitting sessions.  
***Ensure that new projects are engineered in accordance with cost targets (pre-costing) and ensure that initial cost quotes are available. 
***Ensure all materials, processes, prototypes, and development samples are fully tested to ensure adherence to quality standards. 
***Create tech packs to send to manufacturers and have the ability to develop and modify all technical documents as needed. 

***Create written policy and procedures to ensure that all specifications are followed by manufactures so on-time delivery and quality needs are met.

***Ensure that product integrity is followed throughout production based on approved samples and tech packs.  Maintain QC for domestic and overseas manufacturing.

***Numerous organizational tasks and communications responsibilities including garment description and all technical data completion, issuing spec packs and specs to outside vendors, issuing purchase orders to vendors and making sure all details are arranged.

***Strong negotiation skills; ability to identify and proactively engage business partners when issues arise with recommendations for viable options/solutions.

*** A strong Sense of Women’s and Junior Fashion is a plus

Job Requirements: 
Degree in clothing technology and/or manufacturing or comparable degree from Textile School 
4 years minimum related work experience in garment/textile industry 
Fluent English (verbal and written) 
IT-skills (e-mail, MS Office programs, PC)