Product Developer - Apparel (10-Month Contract)

What You'll Do

The Apparel Product Developer will play a key role in the creation and development of our apparel products from concept through to production and delivery. This role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams including design, merchandise, sourcing, and production to ensure that all products meet the design intent, quality, cost, and timing needs.

Sample Development

• Collaborate with the design and innovation teams to develop apparel products that align with the company's brand and customer expectations. Translate design concepts into actionable product specifications.
• Research and select appropriate fabrics, trims, and other materials that meet design and performance requirements. Collaborate with PRO, Innovation and Vendors to source materials.
• Track prototypes and development submissions; liaise with mills and vendors to manage timelines, resolve issues, and ensure delivery on key milestone dates
• Verify that samples meet design and quality standards, provide feedback for improvements.
• Prepare and maintain tech pack BOMs. Confirm that tech packs are complete by stakeholders throughout the development process and ensure its accuracy and consistency.
• Market Research: Stay updated on industry trends, competitive landscape, customer preferences, sustainable material options, and construction innovations. Incorporate findings into product development strategies and support R&D and testing initiatives.

Product Management

• PRO/Vendor Coordination: Maintain constant communication with PRO team and manufacturers to ensure design intent, material usage, and construction methods are understood and executed properly.
• Cost Negotiations: Ensure merchant cost and IMU targets are achieved. Work with the sourcing team to develop cost-effective production methods while maintaining product quality. Monitor production costs and negotiate adjustments as necessary.
• Calendar Management: Manage product development timelines to ensure timely delivery of final products. Communicate regularly with internal teams and external partners to keep projects on track. Update development calendars and sample status trackers; raise flags when timelines are at risk and propose solutions to keep development on schedule.
• PLM System: Enter and maintain accurate product data in PLM and other internal systems to ensure full transparency and data integrity across teams.
• Quality Assurance: Establish quality standards for products and oversee testing procedures to ensure compliance with company standards. Address any issues that arise during development and production.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Textile Science, or a related field.
• 3-5 years of experience in apparel product development or a related role.
• Strong understanding of garment construction, textiles, and production processes.
• Proficiency in software such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite and PLM systems.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Detail-oriented with a strong sense of aesthetics.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment

About Us

Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited (“CTC”) is one of Canada’s most admired and trusted companies. With more than 90 Owned Brands, 1,700 retail locations, financial services, exemplary e-commerce capabilities, and exciting market-leading merchandising strategies. We dream big and work as one to innovate with purpose for our customers at every level of our business, investing in new technologies and products, and doubling down on top talent to drive the company forward. We offer competitive salaries and wages to CTC employees, as well as store discounts, supported learning through our Triangle Learning Academy, Canadian Tire Profit Sharing, and retirement and savings programs for eligible employees. As part of our enhanced flex benefits program, we offer mental health benefits in the amount of $5,000 per year for benefits-eligible employees and their families, including total well-being, and mental health tools and resources for all employees. Join us in helping to make life in Canada better through living and working our Core Values: we are innovators and entrepreneurs at our core, outcomes drive us, inclusion is a must, we are stronger together and we take personal responsibility. It is an especially exciting time to join CTC and its family of companies where career opportunities are wide-ranging! Join us, where there's a place for you here.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging

We are committed to fostering an environment where belonging thrives, and diversity, inclusion and equity are infused into everything we do. We believe in building an organizational culture where people are consistently treated with dignity while respecting individual religion, nationality, gender, race, age, perceived ability, spoken language, sexual orientation, and identification. We are united in our purpose of being here to help make life in Canada better.

Accommodations

We stand firm in our Core Value that inclusion is a must. We welcome and encourage candidates from equity-seeking groups such as people who identify as racialized, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, women, people with disabilities, and beyond. Should you require any accommodation in applying for this role, or throughout the interview process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to help meet your needs.