Product Developer

Title: Product Developer - Knitwear

Contract length: 3 months

Location: London, UK (On-site)

Shift: Monday to Friday - 37.5 hours per week

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and highly organised Product Developer to join our Knitwear team. Reporting to the Product Development Manager, you will play a key role in managing the end-to-end product development process, supporting the creation of seasonal knitwear collections from initial concept through to production handover.

Working closely with Design, Merchandising, Technical Services, Global Sourcing, Supply Chain teams, and external suppliers, you will ensure products are developed to the highest standards of quality, innovation, cost efficiency, and commercial viability. This is an exciting opportunity for a product development professional with strong knitwear expertise who thrives in a fast-paced luxury fashion environment.

Key Responsibilities

Product Development & Seasonal Management

• Support the delivery of seasonal product development critical paths, ensuring all milestones and deadlines are met.
• Manage the product development lifecycle for assigned knitwear categories from concept through to production readiness.
• Coordinate and oversee new product developments, trials, and prototype launches.
• Collaborate with Design teams on material sourcing, development activities, and prototyping requirements.
• Work closely with Design and Merchandising teams to allocate styles, fabrics, and showroom samples.
• Ensure all product development activities align with seasonal business objectives and timelines.

Sampling & Prototype Management

• Source, order, and manage raw materials required for sample and prototype development.
• Maintain accurate and complete product information, specifications, and development documentation.
• Organise and coordinate prototype fittings in partnership with Design and Technical Services teams.
• Attend and support all fittings from prototype stage through to first pre-production approval.
• Manage sample forecasts and communicate requirements effectively to suppliers.
• Monitor sample deliveries to ensure showroom launch deadlines are achieved.
• Maintain sample Bills of Materials (BOMs) and manage all sample amendments throughout development.

Production Readiness & Handover

• Coordinate pre-production fitting schedules with Technical Services and Global Sourcing teams.
• Create, maintain, and update production Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Lead collection handover processes to Supply Chain teams, ensuring all technical and commercial information is accurate and complete.
• Maintain product development systems and raw material databases to ensure data integrity and accessibility.
• Support a smooth transition from development into production.

Supplier & Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with manufacturers, suppliers, and sourcing partners.
• Manage daily follow-up activities relating to prototype development and raw material sourcing.
• Proactively identify and resolve development issues, escalating risks where necessary.
• Provide clear and timely communication to internal stakeholders throughout the development process.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including Design, Merchandising, Technical Services, Global Sourcing, and Supply Chain.

Costing & Budget Support

• Support costing activities for raw materials, prototypes, and finished products in partnership with Product Development, Merchandising, and Global Sourcing teams.
• Assist in monitoring and managing Product Development budgets.
• Contribute to achieving cost targets while maintaining product quality and brand standards.

Archive & Process Management

• Maintain seasonal production standards archives and development records.
• Organise and manage development archives, ensuring information is accurately documented and easily accessible.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance development processes and efficiencies.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Proven experience within Product Development in the luxury fashion industry.
• Strong expertise in knitwear product development.
• Experience sourcing and developing raw materials and yarns.
• Demonstrated experience managing product development calendars, timelines, and critical paths.
• Experience working directly with manufacturers and suppliers throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication abilities.
• Passion for product innovation, craftsmanship, and luxury fashion.

Desirable

• Experience working within an international or global fashion business.
• Previous team leadership or people management experience.
• Strong experience partnering with Design and Merchandising teams throughout seasonal development cycles.

Guidant, Carbon60, Lorien & SRG - The Impellam Group Portfolio are acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.