Product Development Assistant

Zimmermann; Sydney; On-site; AUD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work options

Development plans

Product discounts

Career progression

Inclusive culture

Job summary

ZIMMERMANN is seeking a Product Development Assistant to join our Swim and Resort Product Development team in Sydney. You will support seasonal development of fabrics, trims, embellishments, raw materials and garments, coordinating information through the critical path and ensuring timely production handover.

You will work closely with Design, Product Development, Pattern, Production and external suppliers to maintain accuracy in development trackers and to uphold quality and timing for each

Qualifications

• To succeed in this position, you will bring a tertiary qualification in Fashion, Textiles or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• Ideally 1-2 years of experience in fashion product development, design support, textiles or a similar role.
• Experience using Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator; experience with PLM or a similar product system is advantageous.
• A sound understanding of fabrics and trims, with a strong interest in garment construction, product development and premium fashion.
• Strong organisation and attention to detail, with the ability to prioritise and work accurately to seasonal deadlines.
• Clear communication and relationship‑building skills, with a collaborative approach to working across internal teams and external suppliers.
• An interest in Swim and Resort product, including specialty fabrics, placement prints, embroideries, embellishments, hardware and handcrafted components.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the seasonal critical path by monitoring fabrics, trims, raw materials and sample development, and communicating timing, priorities, delays and risks.
• Coordinating fabric, trim, embroidery, embellishment and specialty component developments, including strike‑offs, lab dips, testing, approvals and supplier follow‑up.
• Maintaining accurate raw material, style and Bill of Materials information in PLM, including compositions, usable widths, lead times, minimum order quantities, pricing and development details.
• Supporting Proto, SMS and PPS sample stages through accurate system setup, factory and supplier communication, fitting updates and sample status tracking.
• Assisting with sourcing research, supplier appointments and the identification of suitable materials and development options, with consideration for quality, cost, lead time and environmental impact.
• Supporting production handover, raw material purchase orders, sample collection coordination, testing records, development trackers, invoice processing and seasonal documentation.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

Communication

Teamwork

Garment construction interest

Swim & Resort interest

Education

Bachelor's or equivalent in Fashion/Textiles

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Photoshop

Illustrator

PLM

Job description

ZIMMERMANN is a global luxury fashion brand, founded in Sydney in 1991 by sisters Nicky and Simone Zimmermann. Renowned for its signature approach to sophisticated femininity, distinctive prints, and exceptional craftsmanship, the brand is present across Australia, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Asia.

Nicky Zimmermann’s creative vision and Simone Zimmermann’s strategic leadership have formed the foundation of the brand’s success. Their partnership – balancing design innovation with strong commercial direction – remains central to ZIMMERMANN’s identity and growth.

Today, ZIMMERMANN continues to redefine modern luxury with collections that celebrate self-expression. Grounded in Australian sun-soaked optimism, the brand resonates with women around the world. Our global teams are united by a shared commitment to creativity, quality, and evolving the brand with integrity and purpose.

At ZIMMERMANN, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to empowering talented individuals to build meaningful careers within an inclusive, collaborative, and forward‑thinking environment – where craftsmanship and innovation are celebrated, and individuality is valued.

The Opportunity

ZIMMERMANN is seeking a Product Development Assistant to join our Swim and Resort Product Development team in Sydney. In this role, you will support the seasonal development of fabrics, trims, embellishments, raw materials and garments across our Swim and Resort collections, helping to bring each collection to life.

You will help maintain accurate development information, coordinate materials and samples through the critical path, and support the delivery of collections from initial prototype through to production handover.

This opportunity is ideal if you are motivated by fashion, craftsmanship, detail and collaboration, and enjoy working in a fast‑paced creative environment where strong ideas are refined through development, fittings and thoughtful execution.

As Product Development Assistant, you will combine technical accuracy with hands‑on coordination, working closely with Design, Product Development, Pattern, Production and external suppliers to support quality, timing and product integrity across each season.

Key Responsibilities

As Product Development Assistant, your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the seasonal critical path by monitoring fabrics, trims, raw materials and sample development, and communicating timing, priorities, delays and risks.
• Coordinating fabric, trim, embroidery, embellishment and specialty component developments, including strike‑offs, lab dips, testing, approvals and supplier follow‑up.
• Maintaining accurate raw material, style and Bill of Materials information in PLM, including compositions, usable widths, lead times, minimum order quantities, pricing and development details.
• Supporting Proto, SMS and PPS sample stages through accurate system setup, factory and supplier communication, fitting updates and sample status tracking.
• Assisting with sourcing research, supplier appointments and the identification of suitable materials and development options, with consideration for quality, cost, lead time and environmental impact.
• Supporting production handover, raw material purchase orders, sample collection coordination, testing records, development trackers, invoice processing and seasonal documentation.

What You Will Bring

To succeed in this position, you will bring:

• A tertiary qualification in Fashion, Textiles or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• Ideally 1-2 years of experience in fashion product development, design support, textiles or a similar role.
• Experience using Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator; experience with PLM or a similar product system is advantageous.
• A sound understanding of fabrics and trims, with a strong interest in garment construction, product development and premium fashion.
• Strong organisation and attention to detail, with the ability to prioritise and work accurately to seasonal deadlines.
• Clear communication and relationship‑building skills, with a collaborative approach to working across internal teams and external suppliers.
• An interest in Swim and Resort product, including specialty fabrics, placement prints, embroideries, embellishments, hardware and handcrafted components.

Why Join ZIMMERMANN?

• Flexible work options that support balance and wellbeing
• Access to tailored development plans and learning opportunities
• Generous employee benefits and product discounts
• Clear pathways for career progression within a global organisation
• A collaborative, high‑performing, and inclusive team culture

ZIMMERMANN is an equal opportunity employer. We assess all applicants based on their individual capabilities, experience, and qualifications and are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.