Director, Product Development - Wrangler

Who We Are:

Kontoor Brands, Inc. (KTB) is the parent company of Wrangler, Lee and Rock & Republic, with owned manufacturing facilities in Mexico and Nicaragua. Kontoor also owns and operates over 140 retail stores across the globe. Our global company employs more than 15,000 people in 65 countries, with world headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina, and regional headquarters in Geneva and Hong Kong.

Job Posting:

As the Product Development Director for Wrangler, you will be the key product leader between the Brand and Supply chain to guarantee best-in-class quality and on-time execution of the product line in alignment with the overall business strategy and ensuring the brand meets or exceeds financial target goals. As the Director, you will own and be responsible for an efficient product development process overseeing sampling allocation and calendar timeline management through to final pre-production approvals to deliver product execution true to Design aesthetic intent.

Responsibilities:

• Direct & drive strategic sampling development to attain optimal results in development execution accuracy, shortening overall sampling lead times, lower minimums and product costs.

• Partner closely with Design to ensure alignment throughout the development process. Drive team collaboration & coordination with regional development offices, Textile sourcing, Pattern/Tech Design and to complete on-time calendar tasks to ensure key milestones' deliverables are achieved.

• Oversees all development and product sampling activities are tracked and delivered on-time for briefs, protos, salesman, pre-production size sets approvals to final manufacturing-ready product.

• Collaborate with Sourcing and Innovation teams to assess & identify best vendor partners appropriate to the Brand to drive product strategies and product capability/capacity needs to drive category growth, new product opportunities and market innovation.

• Develop sampling development metrics and KPI reporting to capture & drive on-time sampling, sampling accuracy and accurate, activity-based product costing.

• Direct the implementation and management of proper systems, efficient working tools and standardized cross-functional best practices to positively impact overall teams' efficiency.

• Develop and lead influential partnerships with internal and external partners to deliver optimal business goals and results. Provide leadership influence & inputs to cross-functional partners in Planning, Sourcing, Merchants, and Finance.

• Build and drive a motivated service-oriented, results-driven team. Manage team resources ensuring work/like balance, personal growth, and development of direct reports through mentorship coaching and guidance.

Requirements:

• 15+ years' experience of managerial product development/sourcing

• 15+ years' experience of in-depth apparel industry knowledge particularly in Denim

• 10+ years' experience working in medium-large companies interacting with cross-functional teams.

• 8+ years with proven ability and responsibility managing teams of minimum 3-5 direct reports.

• University degree or equivalent

• Preferred Experience:

• Technical college textile related field

Why Kontoor Brands?

At Kontoor, we offer a comprehensive benefit package to fit your lifestyle and our benefits are crafted with the same care as our products.

When our employees are healthy, secure and well, they bring their best selves to work. Kontoor Brands supports you with a competitive benefits program that provides choice and flexibility to meet your and your family's needs - now and in the future. We offer resources to support your physical, emotional, social and financial wellbeing, plus benefits like discounts on our apparel. Kontoor Brands also provides four weeks of Paid Parental Leave to eligible employees who are new parents, Flexible Fridays and tuition reimbursement.

Our Kontoor D&I Mission

At Kontoor, we believe that D&I is a key enabler to a culture that empowers us to work with passion and confidence, shaping our brand and future.

Our Kontoor D&I Commitment

• Create a global workforce of high-performing teams that both unlocks our individual uniqueness and harnesses our collaborative talents

• Ensure an equitable environment that attracts & promotes diverse workforce

• Foster inclusivity, ensuring employees feel they can bring their whole selves to work