Product Manager

As a Product Manager at FAM Brands, your primary responsibilities include managing the entire product development process from initial concept through final production, ensuring timelines, quality, and costs are met. You'll collaborate closely with design, merchandising, and sales teams, maintaining product specifications in Centric PLM, and ensuring each product meets design intent during fit sessions. Additionally, you'll be responsible for vendor communication to resolve any challenges and stay updated on market trends to deliver competitive products.

To become a Product Manager at FAM Brands, you should possess a Bachelor’s degree in product development, fashion design, textiles, or a related field. Ideally, you should have 12+ years of experience in apparel product development and production, along with proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop for technical design needs. Experience with PLM systems, particularly Centric PLM, is highly advantageous.

Successful Product Managers at FAM Brands should excel in collaboration, as the role involves partnering with various teams like design and sales. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail are vital to navigate multiple projects within a fast-paced environment effectively. A solid understanding of market trends and technical expertise in developing tech packs and specifications will also significantly contribute to your success in this position.

The Product Manager at FAM Brands plays a crucial role in supporting product development by managing the product lifecycle, ensuring that each piece of apparel aligns with customer expectations and brand standards. This position involves translating creative ideas into actionable plans with cross-functional collaboration, maintaining data accuracy using PLM software, and ensuring that each product is not only functional but also fashionable and trend-right.

FAM Brands fosters a collaborative, results-oriented culture where innovation and hard work are highly valued. As a Product Manager, you'll work in a dynamic environment with a team that encourages open communication and creative problem-solving. The culture emphasizes growth and development, providing opportunities to expand your skills across the entire product lifecycle while delivering impactful apparel to major retailers.

When managing the product development lifecycle, I start by clearly defining the product concept and aligning it with market research and customer needs. I then create timelines, establish clear communication with cross-functional teams, and leverage PLM systems to track all details. Throughout the process, I conduct periodic reviews to ensure the product stays on track and adheres to quality standards.

Ensuring product quality during development involves setting clear specifications and maintaining meticulous attention to detail in the PLM system. I conduct regular fit sessions with the design team to make necessary adjustments and verify that the product aligns with design intent and customer standards. Keeping open lines of communication with vendors also allows me to address any issues promptly.

I have extensive experience using PLM systems, particularly Centric PLM, which I've utilized to streamline product development processes. I find it invaluable for managing product specifications, tracking changes, and maintaining data accuracy at every stage. This has allowed me to enhance cross-functional collaboration and reduce time to market significantly.

I stay updated on industry trends by regularly reviewing market research reports, attending fashion trade shows, and following influential fashion publications. Networking with industry peers and participating in webinars also helps me gain insights into current trends and innovative practices, which I incorporate into my product development strategies.

When developing a new apparel product, I consider several factors: the target customer demographic, current market trends, material selection, and production costs. It's essential to align the product design with customer expectations while ensuring it is cost-effective for production. I also evaluate feedback from sales and merchandising teams to fine-tune the product concept before development.

Handling challenges during product development involves proactive communication and collaboration with all involved teams. When faced with issues, I prioritize finding solutions by identifying the root cause and working directly with vendors, design, and sales teams to rectify the situation. Maintaining flexibility and open dialogue ensures we can adapt quickly and keep the process on track.

Collaboration is central to my approach as a Product Manager. I believe that successful product development hinges on effective teamwork across all departments, from design to sales. I foster an environment where ideas can be freely shared, and diverse perspectives are welcomed, creating a more innovative and successful final product.

I once managed a successful product launch of a new activewear line by first ensuring thorough market research was conducted. By aligning the product features with customer needs and trending styles, I collaborated with the marketing team to create a buzz leading up to the launch. The results were a 30% increase in sales compared to previous launches, achieved through well-planned promotional strategies and strong customer engagement.

Prioritizing multiple projects requires clear organization and effective time management. I utilize project management tools to oversee deadlines, set priorities based on strategic business goals, and communicate expectations with my team regularly. By maintaining flexibility and being responsive to changes, I ensure that critical projects receive the required attention to stay on track.

I bring a solid foundation in technical design, including proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop for creating technical drawings and product specifications. My experience with PLM software facilitates efficient product development processes, and my ability to create detailed tech packs ensures clear communication with production teams. This technical expertise supports the overall success of the product lifecycle.