Associate Product Manager
JCPenney
Associate Product Manager
JCPenney
Department store and ecommerce retailer
The Associate Product Manager, in partnership with cross-functional teams (Merchandising, Design, Technical Design, and Sourcing), coordinates and supports the end-to-end product development and production process for Nautica Women's Knits, Sweaters, Wovens, Outerwear, and Swim. The Associate Product Manager proactively identifies opportunities to elevate product quality, achieve category financial objectives, improve speed to market, and enhance operational efficiency.
• Coordinate and execute the seasonal product development process from concept through production under the direction of the Director.
• Partner with Merchandising, Design, Technical Design, Materials, Sourcing, and suppliers to ensure product development milestones are achieved on time.
• Manage the seasonal development calendar and production T&A, proactively tracking samples, fit approvals, materials, costing, and key deliverables.
• Coordinate day-to-day communication with internal cross-functional teams and global suppliers to support timely execution and issue resolution.
• Monitor development progress, identify risks to quality, cost, or timing, and escalate issues with recommended solutions.
• Support supplier communication to ensure Nautica's product, quality, and delivery expectations are clearly understood and executed.
• Maintain accurate product information, specifications, and development status within PLM and other business systems.
• Prepare product development reports, meeting materials, and status updates to support milestone reviews and cross-functional decision-making.
• Identify opportunities to improve development efficiency, calendar execution, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Support the Director in executing seasonal product strategies and achieving category financial, quality, and delivery objectives.
• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising, Product Development, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 2–4 years of experience in Product Development, Sourcing, or Production within a retail, wholesale, or apparel organization.
• Working knowledge of the product development process and apparel product lifecycle.
• Strong organizational, time management, and follow-up skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills with the ability to collaborate across cross-functional teams and suppliers.
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Basic understanding of costing, sourcing, and production processes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and Outlook; experience with PLM systems is preferred.
• Self-motivated, collaborative, and eager to learn in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to travel as business needs require.
• Adhere to the company's hybrid work policy and maintain regular in-office presence to support collaboration and team engagement.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
What you Get:
Enjoy a rewarding career at Catalyst, where we offer a competitive benefits package, a vibrant work environment, and the opportunity to make a difference with America's most iconic retail brands.
• Generous benefits: Medical/dental/vision insurance starting on day one, term life insurance, paid vacation/holidays, 401(k) Savings Plan with company match, and an associate discount on merchandise across all Catalyst Brands.
• Opportunities for growth and development: We are committed to helping our employees grow their careers and develop their skills. We offer a variety of training and development programs, as well as opportunities for advancement.
• Collaborative and supportive culture: We believe in creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We encourage teamwork and collaboration, and we are always looking for ways to support our employees' success.
About Catalyst:
Catalyst Brands reflects the bringing together the rich heritages of our brands with modern excitement and a new vision for success. Five iconic brands came together under a unified powerhouse portfolio to celebrate the essence of American style. We will leverage our rich history, resources and best-in-class industry talent to further build the success of our brands. At Catalyst we are united in one shared purpose: We exist to ignite America’s most beloved retail brands to make fashion accessible to all.
For more opportunities to join our team please visit our careers page.
What You Get:
If eligible, we offer a competitive benefits package including medical/dental/vision, term life insurance, paid vacation/holidays*, and 401(k) with Company match. All associates are eligible for an associate discount on Catalyst Brands merchandise. For paid holidays, associates who are eligible for paid vacation (MTO) are also eligible for eight paid holidays during the calendar year. All store hourly associates scheduled to work on a designated holiday will receive additional compensation. *For paid vacation days, as well as eligibility requirements for other benefits, please visit www.catalystbrandsbenefits.com
JCPenney is a U.S. department-store and ecommerce retailer. Its merchandise spans apparel, home goods, beauty, jewelry, and related services. Customers shop through stores and digital channels, with selected locations also hosting salon, optical, and portrait services. Store operations, merchandising, supply chain, ecommerce, technology, and corporate functions support the business. This scope covers JCPenney itself and does not rely on changing parent-company branding. The workforce connects customer-facing service with the inventory, digital, and commercial functions that keep the retail operation running.
Explore more opportunities at JCPenney