Softlines Product Development & Sourcing Specialist

Softlines Product Development & Sourcing Specialist

TPS Group Holdings, a family of brands including The Paper Store and Uncharted, is all about transforming daily routines into joyful escapes that inspire and surprise. Our mission is to connect with every customer through carefully chosen products, immersive shopping experiences, and service that goes the extra mile—creating a space that sparks joy with every visit.

The Softlines Product Development & Sourcing Specialist is responsible for developing and executing private label product from concept through production; partnering with cross-functional teams including buyers, managers, graphic designers, and factories overseas; and ensuring the timely shipment of quality, trend-right product.

The Softlines Product Development & Sourcing Specialist reports directly to the Senior Softlines Product Development and Sourcing Manager.

COMPETENCIES:

• Accountability: Demonstrates a sense of corporate responsibility. Takes personal ownership and responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work. Ensures that actions are consistent with words.
• Communication: Communicates information with consistency and clarity; uses active listening to effectively understand and provide feedback. Adjusts communication style to suit the audience to promote engagement and increase understanding.
• Creativity and Initiative: Forward-thinking, recognizes opportunities and finds new ways of doing things and implements improvements whenever possible. Encourages creativity and innovation.
• Professionalism: Maintains a professional and positive manner even under changing or uncertain conditions. Works well with a wide range of individuals to provide support, encouragement and direction. Engages others to accomplish organizational and departmental goals. Is seen as a role model.
• Personal Development: Displays self-awareness, a high level of energy, persistence and a positive outlook. Continuously seeks ways to improve and learns from mistakes and constructive feedback.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Be a TPS brand ambassador
• Bring new products to market through market research, product research, pricing, competitive analysis, and timeline management
• Manage development process from design inception, product development through sourcing, and price negotiation and commercialization for a broad range of softlines apparel and fashion accessory classes
• Utilize existing relationships with overseas factories capable of producing quality merchandise to meet our requirements
• Have working knowledge of overseas logistics
• Ability to identify and source key items/classifications in open market goods
• Ensure styling details and product standards are clearly communicated and understood by agents and vendors. Facilitate problem resolution in a timely manner
• Manage and spec all packaging requirements for products to maximize store presentation
• Oversee QA process at the factory level in addition to when the product arrives domestically
• Review all sample submits received from vendors for compliance to standards. Communicate technically achievable direction to the vendors on how to correct color, components, and samples
• Monitor delivery and production flow according to time and action deadlines. Monitor WIP with agents and vendors to ensure on time delivery for all programs
• Update the status of multiple projects, anticipating problems and devising solutions
• Develop strong working relationships with internal Buying team and external contacts
• Continually research Color & Trend information
• Knowledge of competitive products/brands in the apparel and fashion accessory markets

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Merchandising, Business, Finance or a related field
• Must be knowledgeable in manufacturing of textiles and garment production. Experience in Denim, Ready-to-Wear and Sleepwear/Loungewear is a plus.
• Experience in retail or catalog is desirable.
• Minimum of 3+ years Product Development in the apparel fashion merchandising industry
• PC skills including Microsoft Office
• Strong project management and leadership skills
• Ability to negotiate programs, analyze and interpret data
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Works well in a team environment
• Ability to handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
• Strong organizational and follow-through skills
• Ability to communicate effectively both written and verbal
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and handle deadlines
• A team player attitude, including willingness to pivot as business needs change and willingness to assist others to meet deadlines
• Ability to work 4+ days/week at the Corporate Office in Acton, MA
• Ability and willingness to travel, including overseas
• Professional presentation in attire, demeanor, and appearance

The Paper Store is an equal-opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, veteran status, or any other classification protected by state, local or federal law.