Product Development & Merchandising Specialist - Soffe

The Merchandising Specialist is responsible for coordinating and executing the apparel product development process from concept through production readiness. This role serves as the primary operational resource for the Merchandising team, managing seasonal development timelines, maintaining product information and PLM data, coordinating sample development, and ensuring cross-functional alignment with internal teams and overseas manufacturing partners. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of independently managing multiple product initiatives in a fast-paced environment while driving projects to successful completion.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain and proactively manage seasonal product development calendars, ensuring milestone completion, communicating schedule risks, and tracking follow-up actions to support on-time product launches.
• Coordinate cross-functional communication between Merchandising, Purchasing, Quality, Marketing, Sales, and overseas manufacturing partners throughout the product development process.
• Manage and maintain product information within PLM, including development and style creation, technical packages, garment label components, packaging information, sample requests, and technical documentation while ensuring data accuracy, completeness, and consistency throughout the product lifecycle.
• Coordinate all product sample activities throughout the development process, including fabrics, trims, colors, packaging, fit, Pre-Pro, TOP, sales, marketing, photography, customer presentations, and line reviews while maintaining accurate tracking, documentation, and sample organization.
• Manage color development by submitting approved color standards to factories, reviewing lab dips and visual submissions, assigning NRF color and size codes, and maintaining color standards and color cards.
• Coordinate product feedback by collecting, documenting, and communicating comments from cross-functional teams to manufacturing partners.
• Maintain product features, benefit, SKU, line sheet, Seasonal Transition Sheet, and related merchandising documentation.
• Prepare development status reports, product presentations, seasonal line review materials, and key development metrics for leadership.
• Support Sales and Marketing by coordinating product samples, product information, presentation materials, photoshoot needs, and digital product launch requirements.
• Perform competitive product, assortment, and pricing analysis to support merchandising initiatives.
• Coordinate product testing and sample submissions with internal and external testing partners.
• Manage certification submissions, Berry Amendment documentation, compliance records, and related product documentation as required.
• Identify opportunities to improve product development processes, workflows, and documentation to increase efficiency and reduce errors.
• Maintain organized product sample libraries, development archives, and merchandising materials.
• Assist with product costing analysis and other merchandising projects as assigned.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and product information to support leadership decision-making, customer meetings, and seasonal business reviews.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support the Product Development and Merchandising team.
• Fast-paced office environment with multiple concurrent priorities and deadlines.
• Requires periodic travel between Winston-Salem and Mount Airy offices