Research And Development Manager

Klotifai; Jakarta Selatan; On-site; IDR 600,000,000 - 900,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Klotifai in Jakarta is seeking a Senior Garment Product Development Manager to lead textile research, digital patterning, and sample prototyping for mass production. You will oversee the end-to-end product engineering workflow from design sketches to lab testing and pre-production samples.

The role requires 5–8 years in garment product development with at least 3 years in a managerial position, deep knowledge of Optitex/Gerber, and fluent English for international collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in fashion/garment/textile engineering
• 5–8 years in Garment Product Development/R&D with 3+ years in a managerial role
• Expertise in digital pattern construction, grading, marker making, and industrial sewing machine operation
• Strong knowledge of woven and knit fabrics; shrinkage management and textile lab basics
• Proficient in reading and developing export-grade Tech Packs
• Fluent in English for technical communication with buyers and vendors

Responsibilities

• Lead textile research, digital pattern engineering, and sample prototyping for mass production ready garments
• Oversee end-to-end product engineering workflow from sketch to lab tests and prototypes
• Direct new fabric research, shrinkage tests, colorfastness, and material tolerances before cutting
• Verify final CAD patterns (Optitex), grading, and cutting markers for fabric efficiency
• Lead fittings with designers and teams to assess wearability and construction stability
• Assess sewing feasibility and advise design changes to prevent defects in mass production
• Ensure accuracy of Tech Packs, stitch details, and assembly instructions
• Manage Sample Room capacity and production schedules to meet launch timelines
• Collaborate with Merchandiser Costing and IE on BOM consumption and SAM/SMV
• Mentor Pattern Makers and fabric lab technicians; maintain equipment
• Authority to reject pattern releases or suspend sampling if materials fail tests

Skills

Garment pattern construction

Marker making

Fabric knowledge

Tech Packs development

Dimensional measurement

English communication

People management

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in fashion/garment/textile engineering

Tools

Optitex

Gerber

Job description

• Bachelor's Degree (S1) in Fashion Design, Garment Engineering, Textile Engineering, or a related engineering field
• Minimum 5–8 years of experience in Garment Product Development/R&D, with at least 3 years in a managerial position (Manager or Lead) within export garment manufacturing or large-scale retail fashion
• In-depth expertise in digital garment pattern construction, grading techniques, marker making (Optitex/Gerber), and industrial sewing machine operations
• Comprehensive understanding of fabric characteristics (woven & knit), material shrinkage management, and basic textile laboratory testing
• Proficient in reading, verifying, and developing highly accurate, export-standard technical specification sheets (Tech Packs)
• Strong technical analytical skills with the ability to solve garment construction issues, demonstrating decisiveness and high attention to detail regarding dimensional measurements
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken, for technical correspondence with international buyers and material vendors

Job Summary

• Lead and manage all textile research, digital pattern engineering, and sample prototyping activities to ensure designs are translated into precise, durable, well-fitting garments ready for efficient mass production
• Oversee the end-to-end product engineering workflow, from design sketch reception and digital master pattern creation to lab testing and physical sample assembly (Proto, Fit, Pre-Production Sample)
• Direct new fabric research, overseeing shrinkage tests, colorfastness evaluations, and the establishment of technical material tolerances prior to the cutting process
• Verify and grant final technical approval for digital CAD patterns (Optitex), size grading, and cutting markers to maximize fabric consumption efficiency
• Lead fitting sessions with designers and technical teams to evaluate wearability, size proportions, and garment construction stability
• Analyze sewing feasibility and proactively instruct design modifications or alternative construction methods to prevent technical defects during mass factory production
• Control the absolute accuracy of final Tech Packs, including stitch details, measurement charts/tolerances, and garment assembly instructions
• Manage Sample Room capacity and production schedules to ensure all prototype handover targets align with product launch timelines
• Collaborate with Merchandiser Costing and Industrial Engineering (IE) teams regarding actual Bill of Materials (BOM) consumption and estimated sewing durations (SAM/SMV)
• Mentor, direct, and evaluate the performance of Pattern Makers, Sample Makers, and fabric laboratory technicians
• Manage the periodic maintenance of pattern plotters, sample cutting machines, and specialized sewing equipment in the Sample Room
• Exercise authority to reject pattern releases or suspend sampling if materials fail laboratory testing (e.g., excessive shrinkage) until pattern adjustments are finalized