About Us

We are a fast-paced, consumer brand headquartered in San Clemente. Our team is passionate, collaborative, and hands-on. We’re looking for an experienced AP Manager to step in and take ownership of day-to-day payables bringing structure, accuracy, and clarity to the process.

About The Role

This position is responsible for leading the execution of global product development strategies for Socks & Underwear driving each product from concept through final production handoff. This role ensures all styles meet Stance’s standards for design intent, quality, cost, and market relevance. The person is accountable for vendor execution, margin achievement, and development timelines. This role reports into the Senior Director of Product.

About the Responsibilities & Duties

Culture

• Recognizes that Stance is a team sport.
• Constantly seeks to align themselves to the strategic, financial and cultural plans of the company.
• Drive performance that delivers excellence in a way that preserves and enhances our ability to get results in the future.
• Foster an entrepreneurial atmosphere that supports continuous improvement, creativity, resourcefulness and a get it done mentality.
• Focus on creativity that enables imagination used to plan our future, solve problems and excite our consumers.
• Consistently express gratitude to acknowledge the help and contributions of others.
• Demonstrate personal responsibility in order to shepherd and safeguard our values and commitments.

Key Responsibilities

• Innovation of new products and product improvements that drive strategic early- concept development to offer the design team a system to effectively execute designs.
• Update and manage factory ready tech packs for all development to ensure that product meets design intent, quality, calendar, and costing targets.
• Manage multiple product category development projects at various stages from concept through to start of production.
• Ensure accurate and timely updates to tech packs, as well as own execution of changes to prototypes

• Create and update product comment sheets to communicate information effectively with suppliers while building rapport and respectful relationships
• Initiate and lead prototype review meetings with agenda, prepared revisions, comments, costing options - capturing and communicating all revisions and requests thereafter.
• Coordinate Sample needs for cross functional Sales and Marketing teams from prototype through to SMS / PPS.
• Collaborative costing / margin development with Merchandising and Supply Chain Team.
• Receive and evaluate product quality and other consumer feedback and develop strategies and workflows to resolve issues.

• Help to manage color palette, lab dips and other early development constraints as they relate to MOQ, and other limitations.
• Optimize internal processes and communications across cross functional teams.
• Maintain a strong knowledge of target market demands, consumers, brand objectives, and design aesthetic.
• Develop and maintain strong internal communication and relationships with sales, marketing, and other cross-functional teams to promote an environment of close collaboration.
• Be prepared to clearly and effectively answer questions and present work in a group meeting environment.
• Maintain professional flexibility in a fast-paced and collaborative team- centered environment.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience with global apparel and/or accessories product development. Experienced with knits is highly preferred
• Experienced in knitting techniques, flat / circular machines, yarns and garment construction.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, Product Development, Textiles, or related field
• Must have competency in Adobe Creative Suite / Illustrator.
• Ability to consistently deliver organized, accurately detailed work on time to partners.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on cost engineering and process efficiency
• Proven ability to manage full product lifecycle from Concept to Buy placement with a focus on cost engineering
• Technical knowledge of materials, fabrications, construction techniques, tech packs, color systems, and development processes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are needed at a professional level, both in person and in virtual meetings.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast paced, deadline driven environment
• Proven success in building and maintaining high quality supply chain partnership
  
  

Competencies

• Strategic Thinking Understands product goals in relation to broader business objectives; proactively aligns development strategies with margin and timeline expectations.
• Product Expertise Brings deep knowledge of fabric development, knitting capabilities, and vendor capabilities to drive high-quality, commercial product.
• Cross-Functional Leadership Builds strong partnerships across departments to drive alignment and remove development bottlenecks.
• Project & Calendar Management Drives timelines and critical path deliverables across multiple categories, ensuring milestone adherence.
• Vendor & Relationship Management Manages vendor performance and communication with clarity and accountability to ensure product execution.
• Adaptability Operates effectively in fast-paced, high-growth environments and remains solution-oriented through ambiguity.
• Data-Driven Decision Making Uses cost sheets and WIPs to inform development decisions and support process improvements.
• Ownership & Accountability Demonstrates initiative, integrity, and follow-through across all product development touchpoints.

Location

San Clemente, CA

EEO Statement

Stance is an equal opportunity employer and will consider applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the ordinance.