Modernbrands, a product-driven brand partner, is currently seeking a Product Manager in Los Angeles, CA. This role involves working closely with the CEO, clients, vendors, and partners to design, develop, produce, and deliver products for the PRVT LABEL program. The ideal candidate for this position is someone who possesses a combination of creative and technical skills, with experience in garment construction, production, and managing the entire product lifecycle. As the face of the brand, the Product Manager will be responsible for managing everything from merchandise offerings to supply chain management. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about fashion and has a strong understanding of the product development process.
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Job Description
The Product Manager/PRVT LABEL position at Modernbrands in Los Angeles, CA is a crucial role within the company. The individual in this position will work directly with the CEO, clients, vendors, and partners to design, develop, produce, and deliver products in relation to the PRVT LABEL program. This role requires a blend of creative and technical skills, as well as a strong understanding of garment construction, fit, and production timelines. The PRVT LABEL program focuses on small to midsize brands that require comprehensive management in the back of house, including merchandise offerings, supply chain management, and marketing initiatives. The Product Manager/PRVT LABEL will play a key role in ensuring the success of the program.
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Responsibilities
The Product Manager/PRVT LABEL will have a wide range of responsibilities, including:
Merchandising Strategies and Planning
Working directly with the CEO and other stakeholders to develop merchandising strategies and high-level planning. This includes the creation and maintenance of client supply chain, budgets, seasonal offerings, and more.
Creating Brand and Design Presentations
Collaborating with contract designers to create brand and design presentations. Researching and presenting merchandise offerings as needed, and seeking to understand each brand through SWOT analysis to create scale and growth strategies.
Ensuring Profitability
Ensuring the profitability of each client and program by delivering on-time, high-quality merchandise that meets pricing levels for every delivery. Collaborating with the CEO, accounting, and production partners to solve profitability issues.
Communication with Vendors
Maintaining daily communication with overseas and domestic vendor partners for development and production submits and approvals. Managing all necessary documentation through WIP reports, email, phone, WhatsApp, WeChat, etc.
Client Interface
Interfacing with clients as needed for approvals, sample requests, deliveries, etc. Managing tracking and client expectations accordingly and ensuring the delivery of the highest quality products as communicated.
Costing and Sourcing Initiatives
Working with partners and internal teams to understand costing as it pertains to design and sourcing initiatives. Helping to create predictable estimates for clients in terms of costing and timing.
Production Management
Working with internal and external production teams to ensure accurate product approvals and deliveries that meet standards. Flagging any production issues and managing them from a design and development point of view.
Creating and Maintaining Libraries
Building and maintaining fit, fabric, trim, and art/asset libraries as needed and per client. Ensuring licensing and artwork approvals meet all necessary requirements with clients and legal teams.
Licensing and Artwork Approvals
Initiating product briefs with clients and sourcing requests with external partners as needed. Managing tagging, shipping, packing, tracking, and managing trim/artwork/garment samples as needed.
Material and Sample Management
Working with stakeholders to request and manage materials, sourcing samples, fit samples, SMS samples, PP samples, and TOP samples. Managing materials such as strike-offs, trim samples, lab dips, etc., ensuring accuracy throughout the production process.
Fit and Quality Standards
Creating and holding to program fit and quality standards, ensuring clients have a consistent ordering experience. Maintaining fit and grading charts, creating and maintaining size charts, and creating sketch, Photoshop, and tech pack templates.
Tech Pack Creation and Maintenance
Starting a tech pack for every product and maintaining it throughout the course of production, along with all other documentation in client folders.
The Product Manager/PRVT LABEL will be integral in bringing their expertise and skills to each of these responsibilities, ensuring the success of the PRVT LABEL program.
Qualifications
To excel in the role of Product Manager/PRVT LABEL, the following qualifications are required:
Bachelor’s Degree or Similar Education
A Bachelor’s degree or similar education in Apparel Design/Product Development is essential. This educational background provides the foundation necessary for success in the role.
Expertise in Technology
The Product Manager/PRVT LABEL must have an expertise level of basic technology, including proficiency in email, word processing software, spreadsheets, and cloud storage solutions. Additionally, expertise in design software such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop is necessary.
Knowledge of Materials and Sourcing
A high level of understanding of materials and sourcing is crucial for success in this role. The Product Manager/PRVT LABEL must be able to navigate the intricacies of material selection and sourcing to ensure high-quality products.
Design and Technical Expertise
Having previous design and technical design experience is essential. Expert-level knowledge of garment construction, the ability to build and manage tech packs with offshore and domestic suppliers, and an understanding of fashion-forward trends are all important skills.
Experience in Product Development
With at least 7+ years of industry experience, including product development standard practices and working with offshore suppliers, the Product Manager/PRVT LABEL will bring valuable expertise to the role.
Management and Organizational Skills
Strong management and organizational skills are necessary for success in this role. The ability to work cross-functionally with production teams and partners, manage design teams and contractors, and ensure projects are on track and within budget are all crucial skills.
Creativity and Fashion Sense
The Product Manager/PRVT LABEL must have a strong sense of creativity and fashion. This includes an eye for fashion and color, experience researching trends, and the ability to apply a fashion-forward eye to technical work.
Language Skills
The ability to speak Spanish or Chinese is a plus, as it allows for more effective communication with vendors and clients in international markets.
By meeting these qualifications, the Product Manager/PRVT LABEL will be well-equipped to succeed in the position at Modernbrands, contributing to the growth and success of the PRVT LABEL program.
Company Overview
Modernbrands is a product-driven brand partner that specializes in design, development, and production services. They work with midsize brands to build world-class products, supply chains, and finance/investment strategies. The company focuses on softlines and hardlines, offering comprehensive support for brands in need of top to bottom management. Modernbrands has two distinct programs: PRVT LABEL and NOT MERCH.
PRVT LABEL Program
The PRVT LABEL program at Modernbrands is designed to support founders with all aspects of product development. This includes merchandising, design, and production assistance, as well as building repeatable products and supply chains. The program is specifically tailored for small to midsize brands that require comprehensive management in the back of house.
NOT MERCH Program
The NOT MERCH program at Modernbrands offers unique ways for brands to sell and connect with their audience. This program focuses on creating an up-leveled aesthetic for strong brand presence. Rather than simply slapping a logo on products, Modernbrands curates and designs products that appear to have been in development for years. The NOT MERCH program is ideal for individuals or companies looking to establish a brand presence without a lot of upfront work.
By offering these two distinct programs, Modernbrands ensures that their brand partners have access to the support and resources they need to succeed in the industry.
