Product Developer: Knitwear

Position: Product Developer Knitwear 

Report to: Head of Product

Core working hours: Fulltime  

Brief overview of the role:

As a Knitwear Product Developer, you will manage the knitwear collection through the relevant stages of its lifecycle- Proto, SMS and PPS, through to bulk sign off.

You will have a breadth of knowledge and expertise across Knitwear both from a development and technical aspect with experience in high end knitwear manufacturing as well as knowledge and confidence in garment fit and grading.

In this position you will be responsible for on-time delivery of product which is of the highest consistent quality from fit, finish and design perspective in line with the brand ethos.

Key duties and responsibilities:

• Managing the Product Development procedures for all fully fashioned Knitwear Garments, Knitted Accessories and Jersey for the successful delivery of 4 seasonal collections from concept through to bulk sign of.
• You will be responsible for all development stages: Proto, SMS, gold seal, shipment sample.
• Developing collections in line with the Design brief whilst maintaining budget and critical path
• Manage the critical path for the entire development process to ensure deadlines for raw materials, samples, fittings, and prices are met.
• Allocate and launch styles to vendors based on technical capability, volume, capacity, margin targets and brand objectives for the knitwear range.
• Agree the critical path with suppliers ahead of all product launches and ensure they can achieve delivery dates
• Source all seasonal yarns, trims and accessories following the designers brief and product requirements
• Launch all seasonal swatch development. This is an opportunity to show off your creative flare through swatch development, driving newness through stitch, technique and yarn application. You will support the design team in this very hands-on process.
• Create and launch all tech packs
• Create and maintain BOM’s for all knitwear styles ensuring all critical information is relayed to vendors in a clear manner and updated as necessary.
• Sole responsibility for size specs and size grading ensuring they conform to size and construction specifications and brand objectives.
• Production grading approval prior to bulk commencement Measure in samples ahead of fittings, review samples prior to fitting highlighting any issues.
• Conduct fittings and relay fit comments to vendors
• Analysing risk and highlighting concerns to ensure that all collections are fit for production
• Make sure all product details are reconciled across all systems prior to bulk product sign off ensuring clear hand over to the Production team.
• Price negotiation with suppliers ensuring the target prices are met prior to product sign off
• Analyse all price quotes, and work with Merchandising and Design teams to ensure target costs are achieved in line with price architecture.
• Manage press orders and ad hoc VIP requests.
• A small range of homeware and small accessory categories are included in this role, however, the main focus of this role is Knitwear.

The person we require will be hands on and highly proactive in everything they do. A solid understanding of knitwear is a must in this role. Successful project management skills and knowledge of the product cycle and product development timelines are essential. Proactive, excellent organisational skills and strong problem-solving skills. Resilient. Ability to work effectively under pressure and to meet tight deadlines. Excellent communications skills. Experience working with Fareastern and European factories. Strong IT skills, Office/ Photoshop. Knowledge of Zedonk would be a plus.