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Product developer with 12+ years of apparel experience taking products from concept to production across global supply chains. Expertise in technical design, fit execution, PLM systems, and vendor collaboration focused on quality, performance, and cost alignment. End-to-end product development (concept → product approval): technical design and garment construction, BOM/spec creation and lifecycle documentation, PLM systems implementation and process optimization, factory communication and vendor management, materials and trim development with performance testing, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver launches on time.…Product developer with 12+ years of apparel experience taking products from concept to production across global supply chains. Expertise in technical design, fit execution, PLM systems, and vendor collaboration focused on quality, performance, and cost alignment. End-to-end product development (concept → product approval): technical design and garment construction, BOM/spec creation and lifecycle documentation, PLM systems implementation and process optimization, factory communication and vendor management, materials and trim development with performance testing, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver launches on time.

Kaitlin Steffen

Textile Designer, Product Designer, Designer, +2

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Product developer with 12+ years of apparel experience taking products from concept to production across global supply chains. Expertise in technical design, fit execution, PLM systems, and vendor collaboration focused on quality, performance, and cost alignment. End-to-end product development (concept → product approval): technical design and garment construction, BOM/spec creation and lifecycle documentation, PLM systems implementation and process optimization, factory communication and vendor management, materials and trim development with performance testing, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver launches on time.…Product developer with 12+ years of apparel experience taking products from concept to production across global supply chains. Expertise in technical design, fit execution, PLM systems, and vendor collaboration focused on quality, performance, and cost alignment. End-to-end product development (concept → product approval): technical design and garment construction, BOM/spec creation and lifecycle documentation, PLM systems implementation and process optimization, factory communication and vendor management, materials and trim development with performance testing, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver launches on time.

Available to hire

Product developer with 12+ years of apparel experience taking products from concept to production across global supply chains. Expertise in technical design, fit execution, PLM systems, and vendor collaboration focused on quality, performance, and cost alignment.

End-to-end product development (concept → product approval): technical design and garment construction, BOM/spec creation and lifecycle documentation, PLM systems implementation and process optimization, factory communication and vendor management, materials and trim development with performance testing, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver launches on time.

Skills

Product Design

Fashion Design

Leadership

Technical Illustration

Fashion Illustration

Experience Level

Product Design

Expert

Fashion Design

Expert

Leadership

Expert

Technical Illustration

Intermediate

Fashion Illustration

Intermediate

Work Experience

Product Developer at Open Apparel Design Group / Southern Tide

January 1, 2024 - Present

Led end-to-end product development across menswear, womenswear, and accessories. Managed styles from concept through product approval, including development of materials, trims, and construction to ensure quality, performance, and alignment with design intent. Created and managed tech packs (BOMs, specs/MMC, care labels, and packaging details). Executed fit-in-ints through fit sessions to maintain consistency across categories. Oversaw overseas sample approvals across fabrics, trims, color, and finishes for production readiness. Conducted wash testing to evaluate material performance and durability. Partnered with factory vendors to resolve construction issues and maintain development timelines. Maintained accurate product data and documentation within PLM systems (WFX, Centric-equivalent) including style tracking.

Design Manager / Product Development Lead at Open Apparel Design Group / Southern Tide

January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2023

Provided leadership for product development and design execution across categories and seasons, managing full product lifecycle from concept to production. Improved on-time delivery through reviews and approvals of garment construction, fit, and quality to ensure consistency with brand standards. Implemented process improvements to increase efficiency and streamline workflows. Collaborated with sourcing and production teams to balance design intent, cost, and manufacturability. Ensured development documentation accuracy within PLM systems.

Senior Apparel Designer / Product Developer at Open Apparel Design Group

January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2019

Owned end-to-end product development across menswear, womenswear, and accessories. Led development of materials, trims, and construction; created tech packs including BOMs, specs (MMC), care labels, and packaging details. Executed fit sessions to drive consistency across categories and handled overseas sample approvals for production readiness. Performed wash testing for durability and partnered with factory vendors to resolve construction issues and keep development timelines on track. Managed product data and documentation in PLM systems.

Apparel Designer at University of Northern Iowa

December 31, 2014 - December 31, 2017

Technical Designer at Storm Creek Apparel

March 4, 2013 - May 4, 2015