At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of luxury leather goods from concept to launch.
- Company: Join Aspinal of London, a renowned British luxury brand.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous discounts, and a birthday day off.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team shaping iconic luxury products.
- Qualifications: 3-4 years in product development, ideally in luxury accessories.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Senior Product Developer - Large Leather Goods
Aspinal of London Limited is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Senior Product Developer to join the Product Development team. This role supports the end-to-end development of Women’s and Men’s Large Leathergoods with a focus on raw material development across leathers, fabrics and hardware to support prototype and SMS. Raw Material development is supported by the Sample and Raw Material Coordinator and the Raw Materials and Nav Co Ordinator.
The Senior Product Developer will ensure products are delivered on time, in line with margin targets and to specification, aligned with Aspinal’s luxury brand values of craftsmanship, heritage, and innovation. This role is based in our Head Office in Fernhurst at least 4 days per week.
Responsibilities
- Responsible for following product areas: Men’s and Women’s Bags, Luggage and Special Projects
- Responsible for following Raw Materials: Leather, Fabrics, Hardware, Zip, Thread and Edge Paints
- Creating accurate Seasonal Product Development Bibles for LLGs, ensuring all version history is logged, and highlighting any cost risks to HOPD in weekly one-to-ones
- Developing accurate Seasonal range boards for LLGs, working with the Design Team to ensure renders are correct and timely for sign-off presentations
- Delivering prototypes for the Design team to review, ensuring development aligns with CAD and is fit for purpose
- Ensuring CP milestones for Proto, SMS, Critiques & handovers to the wider team are met, with no more than 3% of unresolved styles handed over to Production
- Coordinating and tracking sample lines with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery of prototypes and Salesman samples, supporting the Production Team to achieve 97% on-time delivery
- Assisting in general administration duties to support the Product Development Team, keeping trackers and files up to date, raising POs, and matching invoices in a timely manner
- Managing the overall creation and data input of sampling technical packs, BOMs and final critiques, ensuring files are up to date and uploaded to the shared drive
- Managing development of all raw materials for Proto and SMS, supported by Overseas team and Sample Coordinator; RM tracker kept up to date with risks highlighted to HOPD
- Managing the Sample & RM Coordinator; setting weekly tasks and goals/objectives with support from HOPD
Pricing & Margin LLGs
- Responsible for pricing at first quote upon receiving samples across suppliers
- Ensure prices reflect agreed rules for the season and that suppliers have correct raw material costs for accurate pricing from the start of development
- Analyse all costings during development and highlight risks to HOPD; HOPD negotiates on prices to support targets
- Develop products with awareness of overall margin; propose solutions to keep pricing aligned to targets
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Design, Merchandising and Production to align development with collection strategy and commercial goals
- Provide clear product and raw material information to internal teams including Graphics, Merchandising, Marketing, Retail and E-Commerce
- Work with Management teams to ensure collection sign-off and communicate amendments and queries to wider teams
- Support the Product Director and HOPD in presenting LLG collections to the wider business with accurate Seasonal Product Bible and Boards shared in advance
Supplier Management
- Develop strong supplier relationships; be the key point of contact for all suppliers across LLGs
- Attend seasonal trips Overseas and bi-annual trade fairs to meet suppliers and tanneries
Production Handover
- Create and maintain an accurate Product Development Bible, Raw Materials Tracker and Technical Packs; conduct weekly reviews with HOPD
- Oversee Seasonal Raw Materials handover and present to the Production Team; align timelines for handover when complete
- Ensure full RM history is passed over to agreed timelines to support on-time delivery
Raw Materials Coordination – Leather & Hardware
- Manage all raw material developments, updating and securing prices for key booking dates; communicate price updates with the wider Product & Merch team
- Research, source and develop leathers with Design Team and Suppliers, ensuring alignment with quality, sustainability and innovation objectives
- Collaborate with hardware suppliers to develop branded fittings, trims and metal components
- Present in all approvals to HOPD and Product Director to meet deadlines
- Manage organisation of all raw material libraries, supported by Samples & RM Coordinator
- Ensure on-time delivery of RM developments to support proto and SMS
- Support durability, colourfastness, and quality testing processes
- Monitor luxury leather and hardware trends for product innovation
- Coordinate Lineapelle trips and ensure suppliers receive materials in time for new product developments
Logistics and Operations
- Monitor logistics budget and ensure spend stays within plan
- Track information with suppliers and log in trackers
- Packaging of new products to be considered and signed off by Product Director
Skills & Experience
- 3-4 years of experience in product development, ideally luxury accessories, handbags or leather goods
- Strong knowledge of leathers, materials and hardware for premium products
- Excellent organizational and project management skills with ability to manage multiple developments
- Detail-oriented with craftsmanship, quality and brand aesthetics
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills for supplier and cross-functional liaison
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and PLM systems (desirable)
- Passion for luxury fashion and accessories with understanding of Aspinal’s brand DNA
- Proactive, resourceful and solutions-focused
Personal Attributes
- Curious and eager to learn in a fast-paced environment
- Collaborative team player with a positive, can-do attitude
- Driven by a passion for luxury craftsmanship and product excellence
What Aspinal Offers
- Proactive, resourceful and solutions-focused
- Opportunity to contribute to iconic British luxury products
- Exposure to full product lifecycle from concept to launch
- Professional growth and training within a supportive, creative team
- Competitive salary
- Generous Discount
- Birthday Day Off
Note: This description reflects current responsibilities and requirements for the role and is not a job posting for any specific individual.
Senior Product Developer - Large Leather Goods in Fernhurst employer: Aspinal of London Limited
Aspinal of London Limited is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that celebrates craftsmanship and innovation in luxury leather goods. Located in the picturesque village of Fernhurst, employees benefit from a supportive environment that fosters professional growth and collaboration, alongside competitive salaries and unique perks such as a generous discount and a birthday day off. Join us to be part of a team that values your contributions and passion for luxury fashion, while working on iconic British products.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Product Developer - Large Leather Goods in Fernhurst
✨Join Product Management Meetups
Get involved in local product management meetups or workshops. These events are perfect for meeting industry folks, sharing ideas, and staying updated on trends. Plus, you never know who might be hiring—it's a fantastic way to make connections that could lead to a job at places like Aspinal of London Limited!
✨Show Off Your Product Sense
Create case studies or mini-projects showcasing your product management skills, and share them on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn. This not only puts your skills on display but also boosts your visibility in the product community. Imagine how impressed the hiring team at Aspinal of London Limited would be by your initiative!
✨Utilise Online Communities
Dive into online product management communities like Product Coalition or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your insights. These platforms are goldmines for networking and finding hidden job opportunities—many companies often scout talent from within these circles.
✨Leverage Your University Network
If you’ve recently graduated or are still in uni, tap into your alumni network for connections in product management. Many universities have their own job boards and affinity resources to help graduates land roles. Don't forget to keep an eye out for job openings at Aspinal of London Limited through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Product Developer - Large Leather Goods in Fernhurst
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Senior Product Developer - Large Leather Goods, let your passion for developing products shine through in your cover letter. Share specific examples of products you've managed, how you solved user needs, and any successful outcomes you've achieved. This is your chance to showcase your understanding of the product lifecycle!
Highlight Your Cross-Functional Skills:Product management isn't just about understanding the product; it’s about collaborating with different teams! Make sure to emphasise your experience working with developers, designers, and marketers. Use your CV to showcase your ability to bridge gaps between these areas, and include relevant experiences that demonstrate your communication and leadership skills!
Include Your Metrics and Achievements:In a full-time product management application, data speaks volumes! Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you increase user retention by a certain percentage? Launch a product ahead of schedule? Include these metrics in your CV to paint a picture of your impact and effectiveness in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Make sure your CV is tailored for the Senior Product Developer - Large Leather Goods position at Aspinal of London Limited. Use keywords from the job description and ensure your relevant experiences are front and centre. Highlight any certifications or relevant training you’ve completed that will make you stand out as a strong candidate for the role. And remember, we’re excited to see your application on our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Aspinal of London Limited
✨Understand the Product Life Cycle
As a product management candidate, we need to get our head around the complete product life cycle. Be prepared to discuss real-world examples of how you’ve managed product development from ideation to launch. Bring specific insights on tools like JIRA or Trello that can help streamline these processes.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills
Product management is all about collaboration. We should be ready to highlight how we’ve worked across teams—think marketing, engineering, and design. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you had to mediate differing opinions and how you got everyone on board with a shared vision.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In a full-time role, we can expect to encounter case study questions during our interviews. Practise solving hypothetical product problems on the spot, such as prioritising features for a new app or improving user engagement metrics. This will show our analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
✨Know Your Metrics
Let’s face it, numbers are our best friends in product management. We should prepare to discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) and how we've used analytics to inform product decisions. Dive into examples where data has driven our strategy for improvements or justified product changes.
