Apparel & Accessories Product Developer
AKIRA · Chicago, United States
Female-founded and owned, Azalea Wang is a brand that embraces empowerment and expression for all. Azalea Wang helps fashion lovers punctuate their style statements with an exclamation point with designs, colors, and sizes that suit every mood and every BODY.
In a few short years, Azalea Wang has entered into some of the most coveted retailers, exponentially growing our business, and it's only just the beginning. It’s our goal to hire high-energy, diverse, bright, creative, and flexible individuals who thrive in a fast-paced work environment. We are disrupting the marketplace and are looking for dynamic industry shakers to join the movement. Join us and be a part of that growth!
The Role: Apparel & Accessories Product Developer
Location: HQ - Chicago, IL (On-Site)
Position Overview
We’re looking for an Apparel & Accessories Product Developer who lives at the intersection of design, development, and execution. This role is critical to bringing bold Azalea Wang apparel and accessories from concept to line sample, on time and on margin. You’ll partner closely with Design, Product, Buyers/Sales, and external manufacturing partners to ensure product is executed with speed, accuracy, and quality in a true fast-fashion environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage the full product lifecycle from concept submission through final line sample delivery, following critical path deadlines and communicating closely with Design, Sales, and cross-functional partners.
- Collaborate with Footwear at concept stage to identify and source new materials, trims, and constructions.
- Create and submit detailed, accurate tech packs to external manufacturing partners to ensure clear execution aligned with design intent.
- Manage all design and development deliverables, ensuring internal deadlines are met to support on-time external execution.
- Own product, material, and trim cost negotiations to achieve target margins.
- Own the fit and development process,to identify and recommend improvements in aesthetics, fit, construction, and quality.
- Run fit sessions with the Product team, taking detailed notes and photos and clearly communicating required changes to vendors.
- Identify second proto needs and required wear testing for high-risk styles, new materials, and constructions, ensuring clear communication with factories.
- Ensure a clean and thorough handoff of all pending development to the Production team upon PO placement to streamline communication by function.
- Proactively identify and solve development bottlenecks, material issues, fit challenges, and costing concerns.
- Support system and data management, including PLM updates and ad hoc reporting as needed.
Qualifications & Experience
- 3–5 years of experience in apparel and accessories product development.
- Deep understanding of apparel construction, garment fit, materials, trims, and manufacturing processes.
- Familiarity with apparel and accessory materials, construction methods, and material performance standards.
- Strong project management and exceptional organizational skills in a fast-paced environment.
- Highly detail-oriented with a proven ability to meet tight deadlines and cost targets.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills, both internally and with external partners.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate clearly across broader teams.
- Experience working in PLM systems
- Proficiency in Adobe Suite and Google Suite.
- Self-starter mentality with a collaborative, team-first attitude.
Why You’ll Love It Here
- Fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment where ideas move quickly into product.
- Collaborative culture where everyone’s voice matters.
- High visibility role with real ownership and impact.
- Opportunity to develop bold, fashion-forward apparel and accessories at scale.
If you thrive in a high-energy environment, love problem-solving, and are passionate about apparel and accessories development, Azalea Wang is the place to grow, and be a pivotal part of a blossoming wholesale/DTC brand.
Benefits and Perks:
We offer competitive benefits for full-time employees, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Pet Insurance, Life, LTD, FSA/HSA/Dependent Care FSA, Flex Transit (CTA), 401(k), and a generous employee discount. We’re committed to internal growth, providing meaningful development and career advancement opportunities.
Job Type: Full-Time
We are committed to fair and transparent compensation practices. Compensation for this position will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors. Additional compensation and benefits may also apply and will be discussed during the hiring process.
We may utilize AI-assisted and automated tools as part of the recruiting and hiring process. All employment decisions are made in compliance with applicable laws and without discrimination.