Product Development · Saigon, Vietnam · Part-time · On-site

Product Developer - Backpacks and Accessories

Own end-to-end development, costing, and factory readiness across backpack, carry goods, and accessory programs.

UNCVRD is a product design and sourcing company based in Saigon, Vietnam that partners with modern global brands to create exceptional apparel and accessories. We operate as a seamless extension of internal brand teams, driving design, development, sourcing, and production from first sketch to delivery.

We are hiring a part-time Product Developer - Backpacks and Accessories to drive end-to-end development and delivery across client bag, carry goods, and accessory programs. The role turns approved product direction into commercially feasible, costed, factory-ready product, managing materials, hardware, technical documentation, sample execution, factory communication, and production readiness. The Senior Designer owns concept and creative intent; this role makes that direction executable, surfaces risk early, and leads the cross-functional work required to meet target cost, quality, timing, and client expectations.

Development planning and feasibility

  • Lead development kickoffs for assigned styles, reviewing design intent, tech packs, BOMs, price targets, sample requirements, quality expectations, and the seasonal critical path.
  • Assess construction, materials, components, factory capability, and timing for feasibility; identify cost, quality, durability, and production risks early and recommend practical options.
  • Build and maintain development plans, sample calendars, and decision logs so ownership, next steps, and target dates stay visible to internal teams and suppliers.

Costing, materials, and supplier coordination

  • Own the development costing process: request and consolidate supplier quotes, validate material, trim, hardware, labor, and packaging inputs, and maintain cost sheets against client targets.
  • Source and evaluate materials, linings, foams, webbing, zippers, buckles, hardware, labels, and packaging; confirm alternatives when cost, availability, or performance requires a decision.
  • Translate factory and supplier feedback into clear implications for cost, construction, timing, and quality so trade-offs are made without losing product intent.

Technical documentation and sample execution

  • Audit, complete, and maintain factory-ready tech packs and BOMs, including vendor references, material and hardware specifications, construction notes, sample comments, packaging requirements, and version control.
  • Answer supplier questions promptly and precisely; issue written clarifications, component updates, and approved revisions with no verbal-only commitments.
  • Track every sample round from request through receipt, confirming components are on hand, factory interpretation is correct, and samples arrive to agreed timing and scope.

Sampling, testing, and commercialization

  • Lead structured sample reviews covering construction, material performance, component function, dimensions, carry comfort, load, access, organization, durability, and finish.
  • Document consolidated sample comments, update development documents, and drive the next sample or approval decision with a clean change history.
  • Coordinate testing, approvals, and corrective actions; close open issues with factories before production and preserve the agreed product standard through commercialization.

Production, quality, and factory management

  • Partner with Sourcing and Quality to confirm production readiness, pre-production sample status, final BOM and packaging specifications, timelines, and quality checkpoints before bulk launch.
  • Maintain productive day-to-day factory relationships and hold suppliers accountable for communication, timing, quality, and early escalation of risk.
  • Visit factories, material suppliers, and sample sites as needed to unblock development and resolve issues in person.

Tools

  • Technical design: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and approved tools as needed
  • Development and documentation: UNCVRD OS (PLM), Google Drive, spreadsheets, cost sheets, supplier documentation
  • Communication and files: Slack, Gmail, WhatsApp, Zalo, WeChat, Google Drive
  • AI: Claude and ChatGPT for company-approved drafting, summarizing, translation, file preparation, and reporting

What you bring

  • 5+ years of product development experience in backpacks, bags, carry goods, luggage, footwear, or other technically constructed soft goods, from concept handoff through bulk production.
  • Hands-on factory experience across sampling, materials, hardware, costing, quality, and production readiness, ideally in Vietnam or elsewhere in Asia.
  • Strong command of bag construction, materials, trims, hardware, packaging, BOMs, tech packs, and development calendars.
  • Proven costing and commercial judgment, including confidence challenging quotes and presenting clear recommendations against a target cost.
  • Advanced organization and documentation habits across multiple styles, sample rounds, factories, and client approvals.
  • Calm, solutions-oriented approach to high-velocity development work.
  • Excellent spoken and written English. Vietnamese and experience with bag factories, technical materials, or performance testing are strong advantages.

Engagement and operating details

  • Commitment: part-time
  • Location: Thao Dien, Saigon, Vietnam
  • Reports to: Merchandising Director
  • Collaborates with: Senior Designer, Creative, Sourcing, Quality, factory, and client teams
  • Scope: owns development, cost, sample execution, factory readiness, and production handoff across assigned backpack and accessory programs
  • Travel: regular local factory, sample, and material visits; occasional domestic travel on reasonable notice