Senior Product Developer

Represent; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday per year

Enhanced annual leave

Staff discount

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Private medical insurance

Company bonus scheme

Job summary

Represent is seeking a highly organised Menswear Senior Product Developer to lead end-to-end development from concept through bulk production, ensuring top quality, fit and commercial performance. You will collaborate with Design, Garment Technology and Production to meet tight timelines and target margins while upholding the brand vision.

You will drive fabric and trim sourcing, manage the critical path, review construction and fit across styles, and coordinate with global suppliers to deliver

Qualifications

• Appropriate qualification in apparel sector or equivalent work experience.
• Extensive experience in product development within premium, luxury or branded apparel.
• Experience working with global Activewear / Sportswear apparel brands.
• Excellent garment construction and engineering skills.
• Sound understanding of fabrics.
• Knowledge of pattern making an advantage but not essential.
• Demonstrate a pro‑active approach to problem solving.
• Flexible and open to evolving business needs and priorities.
• Strong commercial awareness with an ability to identify risk and confidently provide solutions.
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple product categories and priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Extensive knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, Excel, PowerPoint &Word.
• Ability to analyse Costing BOM’s and offer viable solutions and ideas.
• Hands on when required. Be prepared to assist at all levels.
• Experience in dealing with target prices & obtaining initial cost prices.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end development from concept to bulk production.
• Collaborate with Design, Garment Technology and Production teams for commercial, production-ready products.
• Own the product development critical path and milestones.
• Attend design direction meetings with fabric and construction input.
• Lead development and sourcing of fabrics, trims, branding, embroidery and packaging.
• Evaluate fabric and trim options balancing quality, cost and lead time.
• Maintain relationships with global suppliers and mills.
• Produce technical packs, BOMs, specs and PLM data.
• Manage initial product costing with suppliers to hit target costs.

Skills

Apparel qualification

Product development

Activewear brands

Garment construction

Fabrics knowledge

Pattern making

Problem solving

Flexibility

Commercial awareness

Organised

Adobe Illustrator

Excel

PowerPoint/Word

Costing BOMs

Hands-on

Target costing

Education

Relevant degree

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

We are seeking a highly organised and proactive Menswear Senior Product Developer to join our dynamic team. The Senior Product Developer is responsible for delivering the end-to-end development of product, ensuring each style is executed to the highest standards of quality, fit, functionality and commercial performance. Working closely with Design, Garment Technology, Production and Sourcing teams, the role drives product excellence while maintaining the critical path, target margins and the brand's design vision. You will collaborate with key stakeholders to manage the product development process, from fabric selection to production, and ensure timely delivery of market-ready products.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end development of assigned product categories from concept through to bulk production, ensuring all products are delivered on time, within target cost and to the highest quality standards.
• Partner closely with Design, Product Management, Garment Technology and Production teams to translate creative concepts into commercially successful, production-ready products.
• Own the product development critical path, proactively identifying risks, resolving issues and ensuring all development milestones are achieved.
• Attend design direction meetings, contributing product, fabric and construction expertise while supporting the evolution of the collection.
• Lead the development and sourcing of fabrics, trims, branding, graphics, embroidery techniques and packaging to deliver innovative, commercially viable products aligned with the brand aesthetic.
• Evaluate fabric and trim options, balancing quality, performance, cost, lead time and sustainability throughout the development process.
• Build strong working relationships with global suppliers, fabric mills and manufacturers through regular communication, development meetings and factory visits to support product quality and continuous improvement.
• Produce and maintain detailed technical packs, Bills of Materials (BOMs), product specifications and PLM information, ensuring factories have accurate documentation to deliver high-quality first prototypes.
• Manage initial product costing and analyse cost breakdowns, working with suppliers to achieve target costs and support margin objectives.
• Work closely with Garment Technologists to review garment construction, size specifications, fit, fabric performance and technical feasibility throughout development.
• Attend fit sessions, prototype reviews and product evaluations, providing technical recommendations to improve fit, construction, quality and functionality.
• Identify styles that require wear testing, coordinating with the appropriate teams to conduct testing and ensure product durability and functionality.
• Collaborate with the team to bring world-class, fit-for-purpose products to market that meet Represent's high standards of design and quality.
• Take ownership of day-to-day operational tasks in design and product development, ensuring that all objectives set by the Head of Menswear are met in alignment with the company’s vision.
• Attend key fabric trade fairs and visit stores in style capitals to stay informed on industry trends, brand adjacencies, and new fabric innovations.
• Prioritize sustainable fabrics, trims, and packaging options, aligning with the brand’s commitment to sustainability where possible.
• Regularly assess and appraise factory performance, providing feedback to the Production Manager and Head of Menswear to ensure production standards are met.
• Ensure the current supply base is compliant with the brand’s ethical and operational standards, maintaining transparency across all processes.
• Provide both creative and technical expertise to ensure all garments are designed and developed with functionality and fit in mind

Key Skills

• Appropriate qualification in apparel sector or equivalent work experience
• Extensive experience in product development within premium, luxury or branded apparel.
• Experience working with global Activewear / Sportswear apparel brands
• Excellent garment construction and engineering skills
• Sound understanding of fabrics
• Knowledge of pattern making an advantage but not essential
• Demonstrate a pro‑active approach to problem solving
• Flexible and open to evolving business needs and priorities
• Strong commercial awareness with an ability to identify risk and confidently provide solutions
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple product categories and priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Extensive knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, Excel, PowerPoint &Word
• Ability to analyse Costing BOM’s and offer viable solutions and ideas
• Hands on when required. Be prepared to assist at all levels
• Experience in dealing with target prices & obtaining initial cost prices.

You have

• 2-3 years Design & Development experience.
• A passion for menswear design and the branded market.
• A relevant degree.
• Travelled to factories and key style capitals.
• Excellent garment construction knowledge

Benefits

• 25 x days holiday per year
• Enhanced annual leave with length of service
• Annual Leave Purchase Scheme
• Wellbeing Day
• Company bonus scheme
• Staff discount
• £1,000 annual company gift card
• Electric vehicle scheme
• Pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Private medical insurance

Working Pattern

4 days in office 1 day WFH

Location

29 Buckingham Gate, London, SW1E 6NF