Product Development & Merchandising Manager

FWS International Sdn Bhd; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

FWS International Sdn Bhd seeks a hands-on Product Development Leader to turn customer and sales requirements into attractive, costed, production-ready apparel. You will oversee the full development journey from brief to bulk production and manage a small technical team across pattern, sampling and fabric coordination.

The role requires senior-level expertise in fabrics, garment construction and costing, with the ability to drive improvements, reduce sampling delays and ensure margin targets are

Qualifications

• Five+ years in apparel product development or technical merchandising.
• Strong knowledge of fabrics, patterns and garment construction.
• Proven ability to prepare technical packs, measurements and cost sheets.
• Experience managing pattern makers and sample machinists.
• Commercial understanding of product costs and gross margins.

Responsibilities

• Lead full development journey from customer brief to bulk production.
• Direct pattern-making, sampling and product-development activities.
• Review fit, workmanship and fabric performance.
• Ensure samples meet cost targets and selling prices.
• Coordinate fabric testing and production handovers.

Skills

Fabric & garment construction

Technical packs & specs

Costing & GM understanding

Pattern and sample management

Project management

Job description

FWS International develops and supplies functional, customised uniforms for customers across the school, food and beverage, and workwear sectors. We are looking for a hands-on product development leader who can turn customer and Sales requirements into attractive, well-costed and production-ready apparel.

About the role

Reporting to the Managing Director, you will lead the full development journey- from customer brief, fabric and trim sourcing, technical specifications and costing through sampling, approval and handover to bulk production. You will supervise the Pattern Maker, Sample Machinist, Product Developer/Merchandiser, and Fabric and Trim Coordinator.

What you'll do

• Partner with Sales to understand customer requirements, intended use and target prices.
• Source and evaluate functional fabrics, trims and accessories.
• Prepare accurate technical packs, specifications, measurement charts and cost sheets.
• Direct pattern-making, sampling and product-development activities.
• Review sample fit, workmanship, fabric performance and measurements.
• Approve samples internally before customer presentation.
• Record customer feedback and maintain clear control of all amendments.
• Improve first-sample accuracy and reduce repeated sampling errors and development delays.
• Coordinate fabric testing for shrinkage, colourfastness, durability and other performance needs.
• Ensure products meet required selling prices and gross-margin targets.
• Confirm that approved designs are practical and efficient for bulk manufacturing.
• Lead production handovers with the Production and Quality teams.
• Resolve development-related production issues through root-cause analysis.
• Develop new products and practical improvements that support sales growth.
• Maintain approved samples, patterns, fabrics and technical specifications.

What you'll bring

• At least five years of apparel product-development or technical-merchandising experience.
• Strong knowledge of fabrics, patterns, garment construction and sewing.
• Proven ability to prepare technical packs, measurements and cost sheets.
• Experience managing pattern makers and sample machinists.
• Ability to source and assess functional fabrics.
• Commercial understanding of product costs and gross margins.
• Strong customer, supplier and project-management skills.
• A hands-on, organised approach and the ability to identify root causes and drive solutions.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of commercially important products, lead a skilled technical team and help shape apparel solutions from concept to successful production.