Product Development & Local Production Manager

Charles Parsons; Sydney; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Ranier Schoolwear, part of the Charles Parsons Group, seeks an experienced Product Development & Local Production Manager in Redfern, NSW. This hands‑on role drives development of a broad Schoolwear range, ensuring designs are technically sound, commercially practical, and delivered to quality standards, budgets, and timelines.

You will manage fabric sourcing, specifications, supplier negotiations, and production readiness while coordinating across design, production and QA teams to ensure

Qualifications

• Experience in a product development role.
• Strong knowledge of fabrics and garment construction.
• Understanding of garment technical workflows, costing, sampling, fit approvals and quality assurance.
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate product/production information.
• Strong planning, problem-solving and supplier communication skills.
• Ability to prioritise effectively across multiple products/deadlines.
• Experience with AP21 is desirable.
• Experience in Schoolwear/uniforms or apparel manufacturing is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Manage Schoolwear garment, fabric, trim and accessory specifications from brief through to production ready status.
• Manage fabric sourcing and development, maintain fabric libraries, coordinate supplier quotations, approvals and payments.
• Oversee stock planning and supplier deliveries for fabrics and components to meet production schedules and deadlines.
• Oversee quality control ensuring fit, measurements, construction, workmanship and specs meet standards before approval.
• Work with suppliers and internal teams to resolve technical, quality, cost and timing issues.

Skills

Product development

Fabric knowledge

Garment technical workflows

Costing & sampling

Quality assurance

Negotiation & supplier management

Planning & problem-solving

Prioritisation

AP21 experience

Schoolwear/apparel knowledge

Job description

Product Development & Local Production Manager

Product Development & Local Production Manager

Redfern NSW

Product Development & Local Production Manager

Ranier Schoolwear

Redfern NSW

About Us

Ranier, part of the Charles Parsons Group, is a trusted leader in the Australian Schoolwear market. We design, develop, and deliver high-quality uniforms that balance durability, innovation, and value—supporting schools, students, and families nationwide.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Product Development & Local Production Manager to join our team. This hands‑on role is responsible for supporting the development of a broad Schoolwear range, ensuring products are technically sound, commercially practical, and successfully delivered to agreed quality standards, budgets, and timelines.

Key responsibilities

• Manage Schoolwear garment, fabric, trim and accessory specifications from brief through to production ready status.

• Manage fabric sourcing and development, maintain fabric libraries, and coordinate supplier quotations, approvals and payments.

• Oversee stock planning and supplier deliveries for fabrics and components to ensure production schedules and delivery deadlines are met.

• Oversee quality control ensuring fit, measurements, construction, workmanship and specifications meet required standards before approval.

• Work with suppliers and internal teams to resolve technical, quality, cost and timing issues.

About you

• Experience in a product development role

• Strong knowledge of fabrics and garment construction is essential, including an understanding of trims, fit for purpose quality and manufacturing processes.

• Sound understanding of garment technical workflows, costing, sampling, fit approvals and quality assurance.

• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills

• Excellent attention to detail and confidence maintaining accurate product and production information.

• Strong planning, problem‑solving and supplier communication skills.

• Ability to prioritise effectively and work across multiple products and deadlines in a hands‑on environment.

• Experience using AP21. (Desirable)

• Experience in Schoolwear, uniforms or apparel manufacturing beneficial

Why join us?

This position offers the opportunity to make an immediate contribution within an established Australian textile and Schoolwear business. You will be the connection between design intent, technical specifications, data integrity, local production and quality assurance ensuring customers receive reliable fit for purpose uniforms.