Product Development Manager | Womenswear

Perri Cutten; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Perri Cutten in Melbourne is seeking a Product Development Manager to lead end-to-end development of the womenswear range, translating creative concepts into production-ready products with fit, quality and craftsmanship at the core.

You will drive the seasonal process, collaborate across teams, manage offshore supplier relationships, and mentor the product team to deliver commercially balanced ranges that support margins and brand direction.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years' experience in Product Development, Product Management, Design or Technical Product roles within womenswear.
• Strong experience creating garment specifications and communicating technical requirements to offshore suppliers.
• Proven expertise in garment construction, fit, pattern making and the end-to-end product development lifecycle.
• Experience across tailoring, wovens, knitwear and cut & sew categories.
• Strong knowledge of fabrics, textile construction, manufacturing processes and quality assurance standards.
• Demonstrated experience managing offshore supplier relationships.
• Strong commercial acumen with an understanding of cost, margin and product performance drivers.
• Exceptional organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and critical deadlines.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and communication skills.
• A collaborative approach and the ability to build strong relationships across teams and stakeholders.
• A positive, proactive and solutions-focused mindset.

Responsibilities

• Translate seasonal concepts into commercially successful product ranges, ensuring alignment with brand, customer and margin objectives.
• Lead the end-to-end product development process from concept through to production approval, maintaining exceptional standards of fit, quality and craftsmanship.
• Manage technical specifications, product documentation and sampling processes to ensure accurate supplier execution.
• Own and drive the seasonal critical path, ensuring key milestones, approvals and delivery deadlines are achieved.
• Collaborate with Garment Technicians, pattern makers and suppliers to continuously improve product fit, construction and quality.
• Oversee product testing, compliance and labelling requirements, ensuring all products meet relevant standards.
• Analyse sales performance, customer feedback and product returns to identify opportunities for product enhancements.
• Partner closely with Merchandise, Production, Retail and Marketing teams to support successful product delivery and business outcomes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with offshore suppliers, driving improvements in quality, efficiency and on-time delivery.
• Lead, mentor and develop the Product team, fostering a collaborative, accountable and high-performing culture.
• Partner with the Creative team to develop commercially balanced product ranges aligned to customer, market and business objectives.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships while supporting margin, cost and quality objectives through effective product development and sourcing decisions.

Skills

Product development

Garment specification

Offshore supplier management

Garment construction

Pattern making

Fabric knowledge

Cost & margin awareness

Project management

Communication

Collaboration

Job description

Join Perri Cutten at an exciting time in our journey as we continue to evolve one of Australia's most respected womenswear brands. As the Product Development Manager, you will lead the end-to-end development of the Perri Cutten womenswear range, transforming creative concepts into commercially viable, production-ready product while ensuring the highest standards of fit, quality and craftsmanship. This role offers the opportunity to make a genuine impact on the future direction of the brand.

Other responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

Partner with the Head of Creative to translate seasonal concepts into commercially successful product ranges, ensuring alignment with brand, customer and margin objectives

Lead the end-to-end product development process from concept through to production approval, maintaining exceptional standards of fit, quality and craftsmanship

Manage technical specifications, product documentation and sampling processes to ensure accurate supplier execution

Own and drive the seasonal critical path, ensuring key milestones, approvals and delivery deadlines are achieved

Collaborate with Garment Technicians, pattern makers and suppliers to continuously improve product fit, construction and quality

Oversee product testing, compliance and labelling requirements, ensuring all products meet relevant standards

Analyse sales performance, customer feedback and product returns to identify opportunities for product enhancements

Partner closely with Merchandise, Production, Retail and Marketing teams to support successful product delivery and business outcomes

Build and maintain strong relationships with offshore suppliers, driving improvements in quality, efficiency and on-time delivery

Lead, mentor and develop the Product team, fostering a collaborative, accountable and high-performing culture

Partner with the Creative team to develop commercially balanced product ranges aligned to customer, market and business objectives

Build and maintain strong supplier relationships while supporting margin, cost and quality objectives through effective product development and sourcing decisions

You will have:

5-10 years' experience in Product Development, Product Management, Design or Technical Product roles within womenswear

Strong experience creating garment specifications and communicating technical requirements to offshore suppliers

Proven expertise in garment construction, fit, pattern making and the end-to-end product development lifecycle

Experience across tailoring, wovens, knitwear and cut & sew categories

Strong knowledge of fabrics, textile construction, manufacturing processes and quality assurance standards

Demonstrated experience managing offshore supplier relationships

Strong commercial acumen with an understanding of cost, margin and product performance drivers

Exceptional organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and critical deadlines

Strong analytical, problem-solving and communication skills

A collaborative approach and the ability to build strong relationships across teams and stakeholders

A positive, proactive and solutions-focused mindset

We provide:

Competitive salary package

50% discount across GAZMAN, Perri Cutten & Cable for yourself and immediate family.

Free onsite parking at our Malvern Support Office

The flexibility to work from home each Friday

A commitment to invest in ongoing professional training and development

The opportunity to help shape the future product direction of one of Australia's most recognised womenswear brands.

A friendly, motivating and rewarding team environment where achievements are recognised

Who we are

Austin Group is one of Australia’s leading fashion groups, proudly family-owned and home to GAZMAN, Cable and Perri Cutten. With more than 140 stores and over 150 wholesale partners across Australia and New Zealand, we are proud of our heritage and firmly focused on the future.

For over 40 years, Perri Cutten has been dressing stylish Australian women in timeless designs that combine classic silhouettes, luxurious fabrics and impeccable tailoring.

Our Culture

Austin Group’s family-driven culture is built on our belief in authenticity, passion and always striving to ensure every interaction we have builds a truly personable relationship and delivers an experience that is beyond expected. We seek to inspire one another day in and day out with a proactive, collaborative and positive approach.

“Working at Austin Group has been a refreshing experience. From day one I’ve felt part of a supportive, collaborative, family-run business with room to grow, try new things and make a real impact in a fast-paced, energising environment.” — Jamie | Support Office

"The company is professional, supportive, and invests in its people through training and development. The product quality and brand reputation are exceptional—an amazing place to work."- Lianny | SA