General Summary

The Product Specialist supports the Product Manager and design team in facilitating the development of each seasonal line and managing the flow of communication between design, sales, and marketing.

Interested candidates should apply through the Designer Brands career webpage: Apply Here!

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Communicate daily with product development and production team overseas regarding development and production process
• Communicate with sales to accommodate sample needs
• Own fit trials, communicate feedback between design and factory teams (ship samples, gather feedback, source new wear testers, ensure sizes are aligned with fit test needs)
• Create and manage product decks for presentations
• Manage defects, set up systems/processes for record-keeping, and communication directly to the Asia team
• Create materials libraries, formalize lists of materials in every shoe, detail-oriented, % of recycled material
• Responsible for sustainability initiatives, REI product impact survey, setting goals around sustainability
• Own briefing for tier 2-3 products (research positioning, write up the brief around the product)
• Trend and market research
• Coordinate shipping needs, confirmation samples, and assist marketing needs for photo samples (assure samples are correct)
• Manage and track sample ordering

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Proficient in Microsoft Excel
• Strong follow-up capability and must be an effective communicator, independent learner
• Must be organized and efficient
• Travel domestically up to 15-20% of the time (1 week per month minimum)
• Able to travel internationally
• Must be able to accept and give constructive feedback, even when feedback is challenging
• Proactive, self-starter, must build relationships with reps and retailers, be able to challenge one’s own assumptions, separate own views from customer needs/trends
• Must be local to Framingham, MA/hybrid in-office 3 days per week, or as needed
• Start timeline is planned for early February

Qualifications:

Minimum Experience:

• 1-3 years experience with product coordination
• Background in run specialty footwear is a must

Preferred Qualifications:

• Brand experience is preferred

Minimum Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience

Compensation:

The estimated pay range for this position is $68,000 to $85,000. The successful candidate’s actual pay rate offer will take into account a wide range of job-related factors including skill sets, years and nature of relevant experience, training, pay rates of associates in similar positions, the candidate’s location, and other organizational needs. The estimated pay range has been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential. This range does not include benefits such as health insurance, paid or unpaid time off work, and/or retirement benefits, unless required by law. Benefits eligibility may vary based on where you work and your position. This position is eligible for our Annual Corporate Bonus Plan. To learn more, navigate to: Benefits

Topo Athletic is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We believe in the value of diversity and are committed to creating a welcoming environment for all employees, regardless of race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status. Questions? Please email Topo Athletic Jobs