Activewear Product Developer - Exciting Opportunity with Leading Premium Brand
Our client, a top-tier international activewear brand, is seeking a talented and passionate Activewear Product Developer to join their team. This is a fantastic role for someone with a keen eye for quality and detail who’s ready to make a significant impact in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
Key Responsibilities
* Critical Path Management: Oversee the production process from initial order to finished product, ensuring seamless communication with factories.
* Product Range Development: Work on both inline collections and special make-up (SMU) items, tailoring approaches as needed.
* Supplier and Factory Liaison: Act as the primary point of contact for suppliers, ensuring smooth day-to-day communication.
* Product Approval Process: Manage all approvals—from lab dips and fabric choices to trims—coordinating closely with design and technical teams and sharing updates with key accounts.
* Organized Documentation: Set up and maintain a clear filing system for product details, approvals, and updates.
* Cost Negotiation: Negotiate competitive pricing with suppliers and collaborate with design and tech teams to meet margin targets through product engineering.
* Sample Management: Organize and manage proto samples through to production, establishing a clear sample tracking system.
* Fit Sessions and Quality Control: Prepare samples for fit meetings, track feedback, and attend sessions with the Garment Technologist for product refinement.
* Production Handover: Ensure all aspects, including fabric quality, colours, trims, and packaging, are in place before production.
* Buyer and Client Liaison: Send pre-production and shipment samples to buyers for approval, providing reference for SMU projects.
* Senior Team Support: Assist the Senior Product Manager with various daily tasks, acting as a dependable team player.
* Timeline Management: Rigorously monitor timelines to ensure SMU and inline samples are delivered on schedule.
* Team Collaboration: Liaise with buyers, designers, sales, and marketing teams, occasionally attending buyer meetings to discuss project updates.
Requirements
Experience:
Minimum of 4 years in Apparel product development, preferably with a leading brand.
Skills:
* Confident with sample measurements and fast-paced workflow.
* Proficient in IT, especially Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
* Exceptional organizational and communication skills.
* Strong problem-solving abilities, capable of working independently and under pressure.
* Skilled in collaborating with overseas factories and managing multiple data points.
* Knowledge: Familiar with cost negotiations, product engineering for margin goals, and sample fit procedures.
Note: UK applicants only considered.
Compensation: Excellent market rate-based on experience, skill set, and industry knowledge.