Associate Director of Product Development

About Maxima Apparel

Maxima Apparel is a leading sportswear and licensed apparel brand collective known for its high-quality products. With a primary focus on men's and women's licensed apparel, outerwear, and headwear, we have established a strong presence in the market. Our success is built upon prestigious brands, a commitment to delivering products quickly with exceptional quality, competitive pricing, and outstanding customer service.

Maxima Apparel is dedicated to being a fast and agile manufacturer and design house in the industry, serving some of the best names in the business. As we expand our portfolio of brands and licenses, we remain focused on delivering the highest standards of quality and service to our customers. Join us and be part of a dynamic team that is setting new standards in the industry.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer

Role Overview

As our Pro Standard brand continues to see tremendous growth, our Product Development team is in search of a strategic, collaborative, and results-driven Associate Director of Product Development. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, you will lead the end-to-end product development process across multiple categories, partnering closely with Design, Technical Design, Raw Materials, Sourcing, and Production teams across our domestic and international footprint.

The ideal candidate for this role will have extensive apparel design & development experience, deep PLM and tech pack expertise, and a proven ability to build and scale cross-functional processes. If you're ready to drive operational excellence at a growing company, apply today!

You'll love this role if...

• You are a seasoned leader in apparel product development with a track record of managing complex calendars and cross-functional teams.
• You have a strong command of PLM systems, tech packs, and BOM management and obsess over accuracy and process integrity.
• You thrive as the connective tissue between Design, Technical Design, Raw Materials, Sourcing, and Production.
• You are energized by finding ways to shorten lead times, consolidate materials, and sharpen the development process.
• You are a proactive problem solver who holds teams accountable without sacrificing collaboration.
• You are a team player ready to roll up your sleeves, regardless of your title.
• You are a leader who proactively seeks to continuously learn and improve.

What you'll do...

As our Associate Director of Product Development at Maxima Apparel, you will own the end-to-end execution of the product development process, ensuring design intent is maintained from concept handoff through production approval while driving process improvements across the organization.

• Cross-Functional Liaison: Serve as the key point of contact between Design, Technical Design, Raw Materials, Sourcing, and Production teams to ensure the product intent is maintained throughout every phase of development.
• PLM & Tech Pack Governance: Ensure tech packs, Bill of Materials (BOMs), and product specifications are accurate and updated in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems, driving data integrity across the organization.
• Process Improvement: Identify opportunities for improving the product development process, including material consolidation and reducing lead times to improve speed-to-market and margin.
• Calendar Management: Build, manage, and hold teams accountable to seasonal development calendars, including proactively addressing "long lead time" SKUs and flagging risks early.
• End-to-End Oversight: Oversee the entire product development process (PDD) from concept handoff to production approval, ensuring all milestones are met and key stakeholders are aligned.
• Sample Development: Coordinate sample development stages and track timelines, ensuring all feedback is implemented and samples are approved on time.
• Cross-Functional Communication: Manage and work cross-functionally across internal and international teams, ensuring clear, consistent, and timely communication across time zones and functions.
• Team Leadership: Lead, coach, and develop a team of Managers and Coordinators, fostering accountability, collaboration, and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Additional Duties: Perform other assigned tasks, contributing to the overall success and efficiency of the product development process.

You Should Have...

• 10+ years' experience in apparel design, product development, or production, including 3+ years in a leadership role.
• Deep proficiency in PLM systems (e.g., Centric, Flex PLM, Backbone) and expert knowledge of tech packs and BOM management.
• Expert proficiency in Adobe Illustrator is Required.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate cross-functional teams, including international partners and vendors.
• Excellent time-management and prioritization skills while managing multiple categories and seasons simultaneously.
• Strong technical knowledge of apparel construction, fabric, trims, and embellishments to confidently influence decisions.
• Detail-oriented and highly organized; ability to perform with a high degree of accuracy under tight deadlines.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills and data fluency to manage calendars, reports, and cost tracking.
• Demonstrated business acumen and sense of aesthetics.
• Ability to speak Chinese or Spanish is a plus.