Associate, Product Developer

Liverpool Football Club; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading sports organization in Liverpool seeks an Associate in Product Development to manage seasonal clothing ranges. The role includes duties such as developing product specifications, assessing prototypes, and negotiating with suppliers. Candidates must have experience in clothing development within a sports brand and be proficient in PLM systems. This full-time position offers a competitive salary, holiday benefits, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Benefits

Competitive salary

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Contributory pension scheme

High street discounts

Volunteering opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in clothing product development within a global sports or lifestyle brand.
• Knowledge of clothing legislation and a diverse range of clothing products.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Create products that meet features, costs, and lead times.
• Develop product specifications within PLM systems.
• Analyze market trends and competitor offerings.

Skills

Clothing product development

Negotiation skills

Influencing skills

Organization

Time management

Commercial awareness

Microsoft Office proficiency

Tools

PLM systems

Job description

Overview

We have an exciting opportunity for an individual to join our Liverpool FC team as an Associate, Product Development. In this role you will be responsible for the development of seasonal ranges of clothing, in line with critical path deadlines.

Responsibilities

• To create products with the required features, costs and lead times.
• To create detailed product specifications within the PLM system and issue to suppliers.
• To develop appropriate, commercial branding and trim packages for each range, whilst continually researching and developing new ideas.
• To develop new fabrics and maintain the fabric library.
• To assess prototype and pre-production samples against each specification and propose any amendments/improvements to the relevant designer / manufacturer.
• To approve all lab dips, strike-offs, knit-downs, panels etc and to clearly feedback any outcome to the relevant supplier.
• To ensure all relevant samples are available on time for all review meetings.
• To visit suppliers when required, to discuss garment specifications, new developments and supplier performance.
• To obtain and negotiate cost prices from suppliers, alongside the Senior Manager, Product Development & Sourcing.
• To log the progress of all developments and to ensure all critical path deadlines are met.
• To provide accurate information on all products to the Category Manager, Clothing as required.
• To analyse the market and complete trend analysis and competitor shopping/trade fairs which will enable product recommendations to be made and inform the development of new products.
• Attend / lead related meetings – internal and external handover meetings, fit reviews, product reviews, supplier reviews and meetings, including relevant room set up requirements.
• Monitor and highlight any potential issues / delays with bulk production.

Who are we looking for?

To be successful in this role you will have experience of clothing product development within a global sports or lifestyle brand and experience of clothing manufacturers based across Asia and Europe. You’ll be able to demonstrate knowledge or experience of working within PLM systems. You will be knowledgeable of clothing legislation and a diverse range of clothing products including men’s fashion clothing. You’ll have commercial awareness and knowledge of the competitor market. You must be highly proficient in Microsoft Office packages.

You will have the ability to showcase strong influencing and negotiation skills, as well as strong skills in organisation and time management. You’ll have the ability to present accurate information in a clear manner and ability/flexibility to work in a fast-paced environment working on multiple priorities. You will have a keen interest in the business of football.

Why should you apply?

This is a full-time permanent position working 35 hours per week. Your main base will be our Distribution Centre.

To reward your hard work and commitment we offer a competitive salary, 25 days holiday (plus 8 bank holidays and the option to purchase up to an additional 5 days) and a contributory pension scheme.

You will have access to our benefits kit bag where you can get high street discounts, and a selection of benefit schemes you can join. There are opportunities to get involved with volunteering through our LFC Foundation to give back to the local community.

At Liverpool Football Club, we have an unwavering commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and are always looking to making a positive difference in the communities that we operate within. We are proud of our achievements in this area; maintaining the Premier League Equality Standard Advanced Level, becoming a founding signatory of the Football Association’s Football Leadership Diversity Code and being recognised as a leader in this important area on and off the pitch. We take our responsibilities in this area seriously and through the work being done across the club, we are committed to increasing the diversity of our people and becoming an increasingly inclusive workplace for all. We are committed to hiring great people representative of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills across our entire business. If you share our enthusiasm and passion for inclusivity, then we want to hear from you.

Liverpool FC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all Colleagues and Volunteers to share this commitment.

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