Product Developer / Head of Product Development

Exclusive Talent Management; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Exclusive Talent Management in Abu Dhabi seeks a Product Developer to turn approved designs into production-ready garments, upholding quality, fit, and craftsmanship throughout the development cycle.

You will bridge design and manufacturing, leading tech packs, fittings, factory reviews, and supplier coordination to ensure on-time production and high standards of execution.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of all garments and soft accessories from approved designs to production.
• Translate creative concepts into technically feasible products without compromising the design vision.
• Identify potential construction or manufacturing issues before sampling.
• Create and maintain detailed technical packs (Tech Packs).
• Prepare construction specifications, measurement charts, grading information, BOMs, and manufacturing instructions.
• Ensure all documentation is accurate, complete, and up to date.
• Manage all prototype and sample development.
• Review factory samples and provide detailed technical feedback.
• Track revisions until products meet approval standards.
• Maintain sample records and development history.
• Plan and lead all fitting sessions.
• Evaluate garment fit, balance, comfort, movement, construction, and proportions.
• Make technical fit corrections and communicate revisions to factories.
• Approve final fit before production.
• Serve as the primary technical contact with manufacturing partners.
• Communicate daily with factories regarding development progress.
• Resolve technical production issues.
• Review production risks and propose solutions.
• Build strong long-term relationships with manufacturing partners.
• Source and evaluate fabrics, trims, components, and finishes.
• Review quality, functionality, durability, colour consistency, and performance.
• Approve materials for production.
• Ensure materials meet both design intent and manufacturing requirements.
• Establish quality standards for every product.
• Review workmanship throughout development.
• Identify and correct quality issues before production.
• Ensure consistency across all products.
• Build and manage product development calendars.
• Track critical milestones and deadlines.
• Follow up with factories to keep projects on schedule.
• Escalate risks before they impact production.
• Travel to factories when required.
• Lead development meetings, fittings, and production reviews on-site.
• Approve samples, materials, and construction during factory visits.
• Build close relationships with manufacturing partners.
• Review product costing together with suppliers.
• Suggest construction or sourcing improvements without compromising quality.
• Balance premium quality with commercial viability.
• Work closely with Design to preserve creative intent.
• Collaborate with Operations and Production to ensure smooth execution.
• Support sourcing decisions with technical expertise.
• Coordinate with suppliers and vendors throughout development.
• Improve development processes and workflows.
• Build technical libraries and product documentation.
• Develop fit standards and construction guidelines.
• Introduce better manufacturing methods where appropriate.

Job description

Position Overview

The Product Developer is responsible for transforming approved designs into production-ready garments and products while maintaining the highest standards of quality, fit, craftsmanship, and execution. This role owns the entire product development process from design handoff through production approval, ensuring every product reflects the Alhamra vision while meeting technical, commercial, and manufacturing requirements.

This role works closely with Design, Production, Sourcing, and external factories, acting as the primary bridge between creative vision and manufacturing execution.

Key Responsibilities

Product Development

• Lead the development of all garments and soft accessories from approved designs to production.
• Translate creative concepts into technically feasible products without compromising the design vision.
• Identify potential construction or manufacturing issues before sampling.

Technical Documentation

• Create and maintain detailed technical packs (Tech Packs).
• Prepare construction specifications, measurement charts, grading information, BOMs (Bill of Materials), and manufacturing instructions.
• Ensure all documentation is accurate, complete, and up to date.

Sample Development

• Manage all prototype and sample development.
• Review factory samples and provide detailed technical feedback.
• Track revisions until products meet approval standards.
• Maintain sample records and development history.

Fit & Construction

• Plan and lead all fitting sessions.
• Evaluate garment fit, balance, comfort, movement, construction, and proportions.
• Make technical fit corrections and communicate revisions to factories.
• Approve final fit before production.

Factory Management

• Serve as the primary technical contact with manufacturing partners.
• Communicate daily with factories regarding development progress.
• Resolve technical production issues.
• Review production risks and propose solutions.
• Build strong long‑term relationships with manufacturing partners.

Fabrics, Materials & Trims

• Source and evaluate fabrics, trims, components, and finishes.
• Review quality, functionality, durability, colour consistency, and performance.
• Approve materials for production.
• Ensure materials meet both design intent and manufacturing requirements.

Quality & Standards

• Establish quality standards for every product.
• Review workmanship throughout development.
• Identify and correct quality issues before production.
• Ensure consistency across all products.

Timeline Management

• Build and manage product development calendars.
• Track critical milestones and deadlines.
• Follow up with factories to keep projects on schedule.
• Escalate risks before they impact production.

Factory Visits

• Travel to factories when required.
• Lead development meetings, fittings, and production reviews on‑site.
• Approve samples, materials, and construction during factory visits.
• Build close relationships with manufacturing partners.

Cost & Commercial Awareness

• Review product costing together with suppliers.
• Suggest construction or sourcing improvements without compromising quality.
• Balance premium quality with commercial viability.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Design to preserve creative intent.
• Collaborate with Operations and Production to ensure smooth execution.
• Support sourcing decisions with technical expertise.
• Coordinate with suppliers and vendors throughout development.

Continuous Improvement

• Improve development processes and workflows.
• Build technical libraries and product documentation.
• Develop fit standards and construction guidelines.
• Introduce better manufacturing methods where appropriate.