Senior Product Developer

Type of position: Senior Product Developer

Company: Self Portrait

Areas of fashion: Fashion Design & Production

Location: Farringdon, London

Hours: Full time

Website: https://www.self-portrait.com

As Senior Product Developer at Self Portrait, you will be collaborating with the design team ensuring their concepts are represented for each collection. You will be required to supervise the product development process from the handover of the range plan through to submission of selling samples; ensuring styles are constructed cost effectively, meet deadlines and liaising with manufacturers daily ensuring requests and deliveries are met through the critical path.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• 6+ years experience in product development
• Ability to work in partnership with Senior Designers, understanding and interpreting their creative aesthetic and design vision and translating this to teams and vendors
• Expertise in developing multi product women’s soft separates
• Technical capability and product knowledge with ability to confidently influence the Design team
• Knowledge of knitwear, denim and kidswear beneficial
• Able to work both independently and part of a team
• Strong organisational skills, experience of working in fast passed environment
• Experience of attending fit sessions
• Strong knowledge of fabrics and technical components
• Experience within a luxury womenswear brand with fashion week experience preferred
• Ability to prioritize, manage and coordinate multiple activities simultaneously
• Stress-resilient and solution oriented
• A strong eye for detail and high level of accuracy
• An understanding of complex garment construction, print and embellishment
• Maintaining good relationships and communication with our supply base
• Tenacious, assertive and determined attitude with excellent attention to detail
• Good negotiation, organisational and problem-solving skills
• Dedicated, hardworking and committed person willing to progress as the company grows
• Passionate about the product
• Demonstrates taste level that aligns with the brand
• Travel may be required

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Building and maintaining a close working relationship with design and technical.
• Acting as the technical partner for design during creative fits, attending fittings, providing feedback on technical feasibility, brainstorming ideas and solutions to ensure the design vision is translated into product
• Follow the product from the first sketch to the realisation of Proto / SMS and handover to Tech Team
• Accountable for the accuracy of for tech packs sent out to factories, and liaise with the design team on style, fabric, and trim details to create initial tech packs through to prototyping
• Record and relay accurate fit notes from Design fittings for suppliers and technical team
• Day to day monitoring of production/development progress with factories
• Troubleshooting production issues and resolving production related discrepancies. Identifying, calling out and making recommendations to mitigate any risks/challenges identified at all stages.
• Responsible for delivering initials and samples on time, to the quality standard, and within cost price range Improve efficiency and help set up standards to avoid errors
• Responsible for ensuring functionality and ensuring products are developed that are fit for purpose for the customer, brand and business
• Drive innovation and develop/source fabrications prior to each season working closely with design to ensure their vision is executed
• Continually research raw materials, trims etc working with Far East suppliers and vendors to build on materials library and relationships
• Liaise with factory base/Far East office ahead of each season for sourcing ensuring lead times are discussed in advance and to confirm booking of sampling materials/trims with sufficient time
• Attend initial and press fittings each season ensuring materials, trims and colours are confirmed with design and to liaise with the factory base on any potential changes
• Good knowledge of fabric and trim testing against testing requirements
• Taking responsibility for all fabric selections and approvals
• Working with the designers for tech pack handover and ensuring all tech packs are created and sent to manufacturers in line with agreed deadline  
• Continually manage the range plan during the development stages as this evolves
• Communicate changes after each stage of fitting to the factory base in terms of fabrication and trims
• Awareness and management of key dates within the critical path for assigned categories across all fit stages 
• Manage the process of component approval into production – liaising with design and technical department i.e., lab dips approvals and ensuring materials are fit for purpose along with carrying out the approval of raw material submissions. This will be across the entire collection, every season
• Working closely with the design team, technical team & HK office on all seasonal and exclusive collections
• Supporting sales team with product information
• Supporting and training the Assistant Product Developer