Product Developer

People Marketing Fashion Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

People Marketing Fashion Recruitment is working with a Womenswear brand seeking a commercially focused Product Developer to lead fit, fabric development, garment construction and supplier management. Based in Central London, the 1-year maternity FTC covers multiproduct and overseas factory collaboration, with potential for permanence as the business grows.

You will manage development calendars, critical paths and line lists, coordinate samples, and work closely with Designers, Garment

Qualifications

• 2–5 years of apparel product development experience, accessories preferred.
• Proactive, self-starting mindset with ability to work independently.
• Experience sourcing and managing factory allocations.
• Wholesale channel experience beneficial.
• Strong communication and IT skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage development from concept to bulk production with deadlines.
• Coordinate calendars, critical paths and weekly WIP reporting.
• Oversee development across inline collections and SMUs across seasons.
• Work across multiple seasons with high SKU counts in menswear and womenswear.
• Maintain seasonal line lists and factory allocations based on cost and lead time.
• Negotiate supplier pricing and drive margins through efficient sourcing.
• Prepare samples for fit sessions and record actionable feedback.
• Ensure production components are approved and ready for launch.
• Collaborate with Designers, Garment Technologists and Buyers.

Skills

Apparel product development

Sourcing and factory allocations

Garment fit & fabric development

Wholesale experience

Communication skills

Overseas factories management

Problem-solving

Tools

MS Excel

MS Word

Job description

My client- a Womenswear brand are seeking a commercially focused Product Developer to bring strong expertise in fit, fabric development, garment construction and supplier management.

You will need to be highly organised and proactive, with proven experience operating in fast-paced wholesale environments, managing overseas factories.

This role will be covering multiproduct

Based out of their Central London offices. This is a 1yr Maternity FTC, with the scope to be made permanent due to the business growing.

Product Developer- 1yr Mat Cover- The Role:

• Support the creation and management of seasonal development calendars and critical paths.
• Manage the product development process from initial design concept through to bulk production, ensuring all deadlines and key milestones are achieved.
• Oversee development across both inline collections and Special Make Ups (SMUs).
• Work across multiple seasons simultaneously, managing high SKU counts in menswear and womenswear collections.
• Maintain and update weekly WIP reports to ensure accurate tracking of development status and delivery timelines.
• Create and manage seasonal line lists throughout the development cycle.
• Make decision on factory allocation for ranges based on price, lead time, and product type.
• Act as the main point of contact for factories and suppliers, providing clear and accurate product specifications and development guidance.
• Source and develop fabrics, trims and finishes in line with seasonal direction, target costs and quality standards.
• Manage approval processes across lab dips, fabrics, trims, print, embroidery and packaging, working closely with Designers, Garment Technologist and Key Account teams where required.
• Coordinate sample management, including tracking, organisation, submissions and showroom/office.
• Negotiate supplier pricing and support product engineering to achieve margin targets through construction, sourcing and manufacturing efficiencies.
• Prepare samples for fit sessions, attend fittings alongside Garment Technologists and Design teams, recording fit comments and action plans.
• Ensure all production components, including fabrics, colours, trims, labelling and packaging, are approved and production-ready prior to bulk launch.
• Support Product Manager with day-to-day development and operational responsibilities.
• Liaise with Buyers, Garment Technologists and suppliers to manage comments, approvals and order progression.
• Attend customer and buyer meetings as required.

Product Developer- 1yr Mat Cover- The Person:

• 2-5 years' experience in Apparel Product Development, with experience in accessories development also being preferential.
• Strong problem-solving ability with a proactive, self-starting mindset and the confidence to work independently.
• Have experience in sourcing and factory allocations. Having shown previous experience of this.
• Expertise in garment fit, fabric development, washes/finishes and construction detailing.
• Previous experience working within a wholesale business model.
• Highly motivated, organised and commercially aware, with excellent communication skills.
• Proven experience managing and communicating with overseas factories and suppliers.
• Strong IT skills, particularly across MS Excel and Word.