Sample Development Manager - Apparel

niu search; Malaysia; On-site; MYR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

niu search in Malaysia seeks an experienced Development Manager to lead the end-to-end sampling journey from concept to sign-off. You will head a high-performing team, coordinate design, product development, and technical groups, and drive efficient, compliant sample creation.

Responsibilities include managing prototypes, ensuring design intent alignment, maintaining development records, and delivering on cost targets and timelines. A strong background in apparel and sportswear is preferred.

Qualifications

• Diploma or above in apparel engineering or related field.
• 8+ years of hands-on experience within the apparel industry, focusing on sample development, pattern making, garment production, or product development.
• Proven experience in managing teams of sample makers, designers, or production staff, with ability to coordinate cross-functionally and drive performance.
• Experience handling sportswear for global brands is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Partner closely with design, product development, and technical teams to translate creative concepts into feasible, production-ready samples.
• Lead and oversee all stages of prototype and sample creation, ensuring alignment with design intents, fit specifications, quality benchmarks, cost targets, and delivery timelines.
• Monitor sample development progress, maintain development records, flag risks or delays early, and provide structured feedback for revisions.
• Oversee team workload distribution, timeline planning, and resource allocation to meet sampling deadlines.
• Plan and control sampling budgets, including materials, labour, and equipment usage, with focus on waste reduction and cost optimisation.
• Ensure all machinery, tools, and workspace environments are maintained, safe, and set up for efficient production output.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across sample-making processes through workflow optimisation and adoption of emerging technologies.
• Champion compliance across regulatory, customer, quality, safety, ethical, and sustainability requirements, including renewal of relevant certifications.
• Implement product safety standards across sampling function and prepare regular performance reports for Senior Management.

Skills

Team leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Garment production

Pattern making

Cost optimization

Education

Diploma or above in apparel engineering

Job description

The Sample Development Manager plays a pivotal role in steering the end-to-end sample creation journey — from initial concept through final sign-off. This position is responsible for leading a high-performing sampling team, streamlining workflows, and ensuring every sample meets the highest standards of quality, compliance, and cost-efficiency, all while hitting critical delivery milestones.

Job Description

• Partner closely with design, product development, and technical teams to translate creative concepts into feasible, production-ready samples.
• Lead and oversee all stages of prototype and sample creation, ensuring strict alignment with design intent, fit specifications, quality benchmarks, cost targets, and delivery timelines.
• Actively monitor sample development progress, maintain accurate and up-to-date development records, flag risks or delays early, and provide structured feedback to drive timely revisions.
• Oversee team workload distribution, timeline planning, skills development, and resource allocation to ensure sampling deadlines are consistently met.
• Own the planning and control of sampling budgets, including materials, labour, and equipment usage, with a focus on waste reduction and cost optimisation.
• Ensure all machinery, tools, and workspace environments are properly maintained, safe to operate, and set up for efficient production output.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across sample-making processes through workflow optimisation and the strategic adoption of emerging technologies.
• Champion compliance across all applicable regulatory, customer, quality, safety, ethical, and sustainability requirements, including the timely renewal of relevant certifications.
• Implement product safety standards across the sampling function and prepare regular performance reports for submission to Senior Management.

Requirements

• Diploma or above in apparel engineering, or related filed.
• 8+ years of hands-on experience within the apparel industry, focusing on sample development, pattern making, garment production, or product development.
• Proven experience in managing teams of sample makers, designers, or production staff, with ability to coordinate cross-functionally and drive performance.
• Experience handling sportswear for global brands is an advantage.