Tapestry Product Developer, Handbags & Accessories
- Employment
- Full-Time
- Seniority
- Junior
- Industry
- Fashion, Apparel & Leather Goods
- Posted
- May 20, 2026
About Tapestry
Kate Spade New York is a global lifestyle brand known for its optimistic, colorful aesthetic across handbags, accessories, ready-to-wear and home categories. The maison operates within the Tapestry portfolio, a global house of brands, and combines commercial creativity with cross‑border product and manufacturing operations.
Kate Spade New York seeks a Product Developer (Handbags & Accessories) in Dongguan to manage sampling, quality control and cross‑functional product launches.
Role & Responsibilities
- Manage product development from early-stage prototypes through commercialization and line presentation, ensuring timely execution to design requirements.
- Coordinate special product techniques and executions (e.g., printing, laser, embossing) with internal teams and supplier partners.
- Liaise with factories and sampling partners (SPs) to follow up on leather, materials, components and hardware throughout development.
- Work closely with engineering to enforce product quality standards; inspect samples, identify risks and coordinate testing/trials to mitigate issues early.
- Facilitate cross-functional connectivity among costing, materials (MM/LM), hardware (HW), production and planning teams; lead handover meetings to communicate design details and long‑lead requirements.
- Maintain and update required reports and schedules in the EC‑Vision system; verify allocation and monthly transfer lists and handle transfer development.
- Conduct on‑site sample checks at suppliers to confirm correct sample execution prior to shipment.
Qualifications
- 1–2 years' product development experience in handbags, wallets or fashion accessories; experience with branded labels preferred.
- Demonstrable knowledge of bag and accessory construction, fabrics and leather materials.
- Strong organizational skills, proactive attitude and ability to follow design requirements independently.
- Effective communication, negotiation and problem‑solving skills with attention to detail.
- Ability to collaborate in a multicultural team environment and liaise with suppliers.
- Proficient computer skills: Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
Skills
Experience
1–2 years of hands‑on product development experience in handbags, wallets or accessories, preferably within a branded fashion house or comparable manufacturing environment.
Education
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent diploma in fashion design, product development, materials science, industrial design, or a related discipline; equivalent vocational qualifications with relevant experience also acceptable.
Workplace
The successful candidate will be located in Dongguan, Guangdong, China, with easy access to Guangzhou.
Culture
Kate Spade fosters a creative, optimistic and inclusive workplace rooted in global collaboration and craftsmanship. As part of the Tapestry family, the brand emphasizes diversity, cross‑disciplinary teamwork and a results‑oriented mindset across its international design and production networks.
About Cerulean
Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.
Frequently Asked Questions
The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like Tapestry, titles may vary across global markets to reflect local conventions. To ensure absolute clarity, Cerulean assigns a standardised, industry-coherent canonical title to every listing. However, it is worth noting that this role is functionally synonymous with «Product Development Specialist», «Technical Product Developer», «Sampling & Development Coordinator», «Accessory Development Associate», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.