Trim Manager, Product Development

Overview:

The Trim Manager, Development owns trim and raw material development from design concept through bulk approval, across all ready-to-wear and VBJ categories. Reporting to the Senior Trim Manager, this person partners with Design to turn creative direction into trims that can be made, are costed, and are tested, then hands approved trims off cleanly to Production. This role focuses on raw material and trim development (buttons, zippers, hardware, labels, embellishments, labels). The base salary range for this role is between $80,000 and $90,000. The relevant base salary will vary depending on wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to, skill sets, experience, training, degrees, and certifications. The base salary is just one componentof our total compensation offerings, which consist of a comprehensive benefits package as well as a short-term incentive program, clothing allowance, and merchandise discounts.

Responsibilities:

• Partner with Design to translate sketches, references, and creative direction into commercially viable trims
• Research new trims, finishes, and sustainable materials; present seasonal trim stories and supplier innovations to Design
• Attend trade shows and supplier meetings to bring new ideas and resources to the brand
• Brief domestic and overseas trim suppliers on seasonal developments across all categories
• Gather supplier feasibility, MOQs, lead times, and costing before trims are approved
• Build and maintain relationships with trim mills and vendors; evaluate them on quality, innovation, cost, and speed
• Negotiate pricing, minimums, and lead times to meet target costs
• Manage trim sampling from first submit through revisions, resubmits, and final approval
• Manage strike-offs, color and plating standards, and custom molds and logos
• Make sure trims are ready on time for proto, sales sample, and collection review milestones
• Keep the development calendar and flag risks early with mitigation plans
• Coordinate trim testing (physical performance, colorfastness, RSL/chemical compliance) and follow up on failures
• Resolve technical, construction, and quality issues with suppliers before bulk
• Create and maintain trim records in PLM: codes, specs, images, suppliers, pricing, and lead times
• Keep BOMs accurate for every style so Production receives complete, approved trim information
• Maintain the physical and digital trim library of approved standards
• Hand off approved trims to the Production trim team with clear specs, costs, and supplier details

Qualifications:

• 5-7+ years of trim or raw material development experience in apparel
• Established network of domestic and overseas trim suppliers across all trim types
• Deep technical knowledge of trim construction, finishes, plating, MOQs, and lead times
• Working knowledge of trim testing standards chemical compliance
• Proven record taking trims from concept to bulk approval within a seasonal calendar
• Strong PLM/BOM skills (VibeIQ, Aptean/Exenta, Centric or similar); advanced Excel
• Experience in contemporary or luxury women's ready-to-wear preferred
• Bachelor's degree in textiles, fashion, product development, or a related field preferred

Preferred Skills & Attributes:

• Strong design eye and color acuity; comfortable offering alternatives that keep design intent
• Cost-conscious: develops trims against target costs from the start
• Highly organized across overlapping seasons and many open developments at once
• Clear, proactive communicator with Design, Production, Technical Design, and suppliers
• Solution-oriented under shifting priorities and tight deadlines
• Interest in sustainable and innovative materials

The base salary range for this role is between $80,000 and $90,000. The relevant base salary will vary depending on wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to, skill sets, experience, training, degrees, and certifications. The base salary is just one component of our total compensation offerings, which consist of a comprehensive benefits package as well as a short-term incentive program, clothing allowance, and merchandise discounts

At Veronica Beard, we are committed to creating and maintaining a workplace where every single employee can thrive and feel valued. As a company, we firmly believe that there is strength in diversity. We seek to recruit talent from a variety of perspectives and backgrounds and are actively seeking candidates with a dedication to advancing equity, inclusion, and racial and social justice in their work. 

Veronica Beard is committed to an environment of mutual respect and is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer. No employee or applicant is discriminated against because of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.