Development Center Supervisor

Position Details

Title: Development Center Supervisor 

Department: Supply Chain Services- Internal Development  

Reports to: Sr. Manager, Internal Product Development and Innovation

Location: Irvine Admin, Kentucky

Job Classification:  Onsite 

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Band: Professional

Job Summary

The Development Center Supervisor partners closely with the Product Innovation and Development Manager to oversee the successful execution of garment development, sample production, marketing requests, and consumer repair/rework fulfillment activities. This role collaborates cross-functionally with Technical Design, Pattern Making, Quality, Process Engineering, Product Development, Marketing, and Internal Manufacturing teams to ensure product specifications are accurately executed and optimized for scalable production.The Development Center Supervisor provides direct leadership and support to Sample Specialists by managing workflow, prioritizing and assigning projects, coaching and developing team members, and ensuring department goals and timelines are achieved. This position is responsible for proactively identifying and resolving technical, quality, capacity, efficiency, and process-related challenges while driving continuous improvement initiatives that enhance product quality, operational performance, and overall business results.

In addition, the Development Center Supervisor serves as the lead decision-maker and primary point of contact during the absence of the Product Innovation and Development Manager, ensuring continuity of operations and effective team leadership

Inspired by Hard Work

At Carhartt, the values of hard work—dependability, honesty, and trust—are rooted in the legacy of our founder, Hamilton Carhartt. His commitment to serving hardworking people continues to inspire everything we do. Guided by his legacy and our mission—We serve and protect all hardworking people by building durable products—we remain dedicated to upholding these principles in every decision we make and every product we create.

Associate Responsibilities

Lead, coach, mentor, and develop Sample Specialists while fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, continuous learning, and operational excellence.

Provide day-to-day supervision, including project assignment, training, performance feedback, employee development, and workload management.

Support talent management activities, including hiring, onboarding, performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, succession planning, and retention efforts.

Review sample requests, specifications, and timelines to ensure requirements are clearly defined, achievable, and aligned with business objectives.

Manage departmental priorities, workflow, and resources to ensure timely delivery of development samples, laundry requests, and low-production styles.

Monitor capacity, staffing levels, and resource utilization to support development calendars and changing business needs.

Ensure work is completed accurately, efficiently, and within established quality standards and deadlines.

Troubleshoot and resolve technical, construction, quality, manufacturability, and process-related issues impacting product development and production readiness.

Evaluate garment construction methods, materials, specifications, and manufacturing processes to identify opportunities for quality, cost, and efficiency improvements.

Coordinate pattern, sample, and specification changes while assessing impacts on quality, cost, timelines, and manufacturing execution.

Partner cross-functionally with Product Development, Technical Design, Quality, Engineering, and Manufacturing teams to resolve issues, improve processes, and support successful product execution.

Maintain departmental procedures, documentation, and tracking systems while communicating project status, risks, recommendations, and key decisions to leadership and stakeholders.

Required Education

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Apparel Manufacturing, Product Development, Business, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience in leu of degree.

Required Skills & Experience 

3 years of experience in apparel development, manufacturing, engineering, technical operations, or related industry experience.

Leadership, team lead, supervisory, or project management experience preferred.

Strong knowledge of garment construction, sewing operations, product development, sample creation, and manufacturing processes.

Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop team members.

Skilled at managing multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Skilled at managing multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, and Word); SAP and PLM experience preferred.

Effective collaborator with the ability to influence across functions and organizational levels.

Continuous improvement mindset focused on operational excellence and customer service.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

Vision: Color Vision; Near Acuity; Depth Perception; Accommodation 

Physical lifting 15 pounds or less.

Stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, handling, finger dexterity, feeling 

Equipment: Office Equipment, hand tools, 

Domestic/International travel may be required up to 20%. (Will there be international travel?)

Auditory: Talking, hearing  

This position has an On-Site location: Associate will work on-site for all work-related activities.

Carhartt is a tobacco free workplace.