About us

Rural King is America’s Farm and Home Store, providing essentials to the communities we serve. With a wide array of necessities ranging from food and feed to farm and home products, Rural King serves over 150 locations across 17 states and is constantly expanding. Our annual sales exceed $2.5 Billion, and our heart beats in Mattoon, IL, home to our corporate office, distribution center, and flagship store.

One thing our customers appreciate is our unique shopping experience, complete with complimentary popcorn and coffee. It's just one way we show our appreciation for their support.

At Rural King, we value our associates and strive to create a positive, rewarding workplace. We offer growth opportunities, competitive benefits, and a people-first environment where dedicated individuals come together to serve rural communities passionately. Join us, and you'll find not just a job but a chance to grow professionally, contribute meaningfully, and make a difference in the lives of those we serve.

How we reward you

401(k) plan that provides a 100% match on the first 3% of your contributions and 50% of the next 2%

Healthcare plans to support your needs

Virtual doctor visits

Access to Centers of Excellence with Barnes Jewish Hospital and Mayo Clinic’s Complex Care Program

15% Associate Discount

Dave Ramsey’s SmartDollar Program

Associate Assistance Program

RK Cares Associate Hardship Program

24/7 Chaplaincy Services

Company paid YMCA Family Membership

What You’ll do
As the Product Development Manager, Apparel, you will lead the creation and sourcing of Rural King's private label and Proprietary Brand apparel, delivering durable, value-driven products that meet the needs of the core Rural King customer. You will own the end-to-end product lifecycle, from concept through production, while building a cost-effective, reliable global sourcing network.

This leader will drive margin improvement, product quality, and speed-to-market, with a strong focus on; workwear, basics, and seasonal apparel. Success in this role requires a hands-on operator who can balance cost, quality, and performance at scale.

Private Brand and Product Development

• Lead development of Rural King's private label apparel (e.g., workwear, outerwear, denim, basics, seasonal)
• Translate merchant line plans into commercially viable, cost-effective product assortments
• Ensure all products align with the positioning, customer expectations, and brand of the proprietary brand under which they are offered
• Maintain clear differentiation between brands, ensuring each product consistently reflects its intended quality tier, price point, and use case
• Benchmark all private label products against national brands to ensure equal or better performance, quality, and perceived value at a lower price
• Oversee tech packs, fittings, wear testing, and commercialization
• Standardize fits and blocks to improve consistency and efficiency across categories

Value Engineering & Cost Leadership

• Own product costing and margin delivery across all categories
• Drive a “good/better/best” product architecture aligned to price-sensitive customers
• Ensure all private label products deliver a compelling value proposition versus national brands, balancing cost, quality, and retail price
• Identify opportunities to reduce cost through fabric, construction, packaging, and vendor negotiations
• Build cost transparency across the supply chain

Global Sourcing Strategy

• Develop a diversified sourcing strategy to mitigate risk and ensure product integrity.
• Balance cost, speed, and risk to support both core replenishment and seasonal business
• Strengthen relationships with key factories and mills; negotiate pricing, MOQs, and capacity
• Identify near-shore opportunities to improve speed and flexibility

Speed-to-Market & Replenishment

• Build processes to support fast turns on core items and chase opportunities
• Partner with Planning and Merchandising to align sourcing strategies with inventory flow and demand
• Improve development and production timelines without compromising quality 

Quality, Durability & Compliance

• Establish and enforce quality standards aligned to Rural King’s “hardworking” customer expectations (Testing, Inspection, audits)
• Implement wear testing and product validation processes for workwear performance
• Ensure vendor compliance with safety, regulatory, and ethical sourcing standards
• Reduce returns and defects through proactive quality management

Vendor & Factory Management

• Evaluate, onboard, and manage factory base with a focus on long-term partnerships
• Drive vendor accountability on cost, quality, and delivery
• Conduct regular business reviews with key suppliers

Team Leadership

• Lead and develop product development and sourcing teams
• Build a practical, execution-focused culture with strong accountability
• Align team structure to support growth in private label penetration

Essential Qualities for Success

• Bachelor’s degree in Apparel, Textiles, Supply Chain, or related field
• 10+ years of experience in apparel product development and sourcing
• 5+ years leading teams, preferably in retail or private label environments
• Strong background in workwear, basics, or value-oriented apparel categories
• Deep experience with global sourcing and factory management

Physical Requirements

• Ability to maintain a seated or standing position for extended durations.
• Capability to lift 15 pounds periodically.
• Ability to navigate and access all facilities.
• Skill to effectively communicate verbally with others, both in-person and via electronic devices.
• Close vision for computer-related activities.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

The pay range for this position is $115,000- $120,000 annualized and is bonus eligible. Exact compensation is determined by factors such as relevant geographic location, education, certifications, experience, job level, shift, and organizational needs. To learn more about our benefits, review here https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:14539c15-191a-4b77-9c13-f6ccfce10094.