Tapestry Product Developer

About Tapestry

Kate Spade New York is a globally recognised lifestyle brand known for its colorful, optimistic point of view across handbags, ready-to-wear, jewelry, footwear and home décor. The brand is part of the Tapestry portfolio, a global house of brands that emphasises creativity, inclusivity and brand-driven innovation.

Role & Responsibilities

• Manage product development from early concept sampling through commercialization, delivering prototypes, line presentation samples and brand activation samples to design timelines.
• Coordinate with service providers, third‑party vendors, and local cross‑functional teams (engineering, materials, hardware, costing, production) to ensure product integrity and timely execution.
• Oversee special techniques and executions including printing, laser, embossing and other bespoke finishes; liaise with factories to verify correct implementation.
• Monitor leather, fabrics, components and hardware—ensuring materials meet brand quality standards and are used correctly in samples and production.
• Collaborate with engineering to define and enforce quality standards; identify potential risks, set up testing/trials and resolve quality issues early in development.
• Lead handover meetings with project management, costing and engineering to communicate design details, long lead items and potential production risks for each introduction.
• Maintain required reports and data in the EC‑Vision system and follow planning allocations, monthly transfers and transfer development as required.
• Conduct on‑site visits to service providers to audit sample execution prior to shipment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• Minimum 3 years’ product development experience in handbags, wallets or footwear; branded fashion experience preferred.
• Proven ability to interpret and follow design requirements independently and effectively.
• Strong communication, negotiation and cross‑functional collaboration skills; detail‑oriented with a problem‑solving mindset.
• Familiarity with bag and accessory construction processes; knowledge of fabrics and leathers is an advantage.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and experience using EC‑Vision or similar product data systems.

Skills

Experience

At least 3 years of hands‑on product development experience within handbags, wallets or footwear categories, preferably with experience in branded/luxury accessories and working with factories and external vendors.

Education

Bachelor’s degree.

Workplace

Culture

Kate Spade New York fosters a creative, optimistic and inclusive workplace rooted in accessible luxury and distinctive product DNA. As part of the Tapestry group, the brand values collaboration across multicultural teams, customer focus and a results‑oriented approach to product innovation.

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.