Product Developer - Waterbury, VT

The Company:

Founded in 1978, Cabot Hosiery Mills is an American manufacturer of premium socks with uncompromised comfort, durability, and fit.

With a family of brands including Darn Tough Vermont, Wide Open, and Cabot & Sons, our mission is to make the world’s best socks, in Vermont, USA, and back them with our Unconditional Lifetime Guarantee. We are family-owned, three generations strong, and have yet to produce our best sock.

Job Summary:

As we continue to scale one of the fastest-growing sock brands, we seek a Product Developer to support the Product Development Manager and Designers in the design development process from concept to manufacturing.

This role is pivotal in driving creative product solutions that meet our high standards for comfort, durability, and fit.

The Product Developer will work collaboratively in a team environment and is expected to provide expertise in design concepts, manufacturability, and supplier considerations during the conceptualization phase.

This includes analyzing warranty and wear testing results to inform product improvements.

A strong understanding of material properties, construction techniques, and production processes is essential to driving innovation and ensuring our products meet the highest standards of comfort, durability, and fit.

Additionally, this role will manage sampling timelines and oversee projects both within and outside the seasonal calendar.

Starting at $70,000 per year.

Key Responsibilities:


* Partner with the Product Development Manager to develop products from design concept through manufacturing for B2B and D2C channels.


* Collaborate with Marketing, Sales, E-Commerce, and Product teams to establish project timelines and ensure seamless execution.


* Work with Product Developer(s) and Knit Technicians to create and evaluate Knit Blocks each season.


* Drive creative and innovative product solutions in partnership with the Sample (Knit) Team and Designer, ensuring alignment with the design brief and company standards.


* Lead and schedule fit sessions using a live model to assess fit, proportion, knit, style, and quality.

Identify and resolve fit issues as needed.


* Manage tech packs, fit approvals, Sales Kits, Pre-Pro, and TOP approval processes, ensuring timely and accurate completion.

Provide progress updates via internal shared reports.


* Stay informed on industry trends, competitor activity, and advancements in technology and sustainability within the apparel/hosiery sector.


* Ensure garment specifications and measurements meet company fit standards.


* Audit Bills of Materials (BOMs) and product specifications for accuracy and consistency, resolving discrepancies with relevant teams before production.


* Analyze warranty data and consumer feedback to identify trends, assess issues, and implement improvements to enhance product quality and customer satisfaction.


* Oversee the color lab dip approval process to mainta...