Product Developer - Large Leather Goods

Aspinal of London are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Product Developer to join the Product Development team. This is a vital role within the Product Development team working closely with the Head of Product Development to support the end-to-end development of Women’s and Men’s Large Leathergoods. This role also requires particular focus on raw material development across leathers, fabrics and hardware to support realisation of prototype and SMS. Raw Material development is supported by the Sample and Raw Material Coordinator and the Raw Materials and Nav Co Ordinator.

The Product Developer will play a key role in ensuring products are delivered on time, in line with margin target and to specification. Ensuring all product output is 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

Accountable for:

• 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 any cost risks are highlighted to HOPD in weekly one to ones
• Developing accurate Seasonal range boards for LLGs, working closely with the Design Team to ensure renders are correct and received in a timely manner to support sign off presentation
• Delivering prototypes for the Design team to review, ensure they are developed according to CAD, proactively working with Design and HOPD to ensure all product created is fit for purpose
• Ensure CP milestones for Proto, SMS, Critiques & handovers to wider team are met, to support the business target; no more than 3% of unresolved styles are handed over to Production Team.

• Coordinate and track sample line directly with suppliers to ensure on time delivery of prototypes and Salesman samples, supporting the Production Team to achieve 97% on time delivery.
• Assist in general administration duties to support the Product Development Team, ensuring all trackers and files are up to date, POs are raised, and invoices are matched in a timely manner
• Accountable for the overall management (creation and data input) of sampling technical packs, BOM’s and final critiques, ensuring relevant files are kept up to date and uploaded to shared drive

• Manage development of all raw materials for Proto and SMS, supported by Overseas team and Sample Coordinator. Ensure the RM tracker is kept up to date and risks are highlighted to HOPD.
• Manage the Sample & RM Coordinator; setting clear tasks for the week, holding weekly one to ones and supported by HOPD setting Goals and Objectives

Pricing & Margin LLGs

• Responsible for following in the first price at time of receiving samples across suppliers
• Ensure all prices are checked, in line with the set agreed rules for the season and suppliers have the correct raw materials costs, to ensure accurate prices from the start of development process
• Analyse all costings throughout development of seasonal collections, highlighting any risks in a timely manner to HOPD, supported by the HOPD negotiate on prices to support business targets
• Developing the product, always being mindful of the business margin for the FY, pro-actively coming to HOPD and Product Director with solutions to ensure price is aligned to margin targets

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Design, Merchandising, and Production teams to align product development with collection strategy and commercial goals.
• Provide clear product and raw material information for internal teams including Graphics, Merchandising, Marketing, Retail, and E-Commerce
• Work closely with Management teams across the business to ensure collection is signed off, with any outstanding amendments and queries actioned and communicated to wider teams
• Support the Product Director and HOPD in presenting the LLGs collections to wider business at sign off, with accurate Seasonal Product Bible & Boards shared ahead to relevant stakeholders

Supplier Management

• Develop strong supplier relationships with support of management, being the key point of contact for all suppliers across LLGs category
• Attend seasonal trips Overseas and bi-annual trade fairs to meet suppliers and tanneries, nurturing key relationships being the Aspinal Brand Ambassador

Production Handover

• Creating and maintaining an accurate Product Development Bible, Raw Materials Tracker and Technical Packs for each collection, supported by weekly reviews with HOPD to track progress.
• Responsible for Seasonal Raw Materials handover, presenting collection to the Production Team. Highlighting product still under development, agreeing a timeline to handover when complete
• Ensure that full RM history is passed over to agreed timelines to ensure on time delivery

Raw Materials Co-ordination Leather & Hardware

• Responsible for all raw material developments, ensuring prices are updated and secured for key booking dates. Communicating all price updates with the wider Product & Merch team
• Research, source, and develop leathers in partnership with Design Team and Suppliers, ensuring alignment with Aspinal’s quality, sustainability, and innovation objectives.

• Work with hardware suppliers to develop branded fittings, trims, and metal components
• Present in all approvals to HOPD and Product Director in a timely manner to meet deadlines
• Manage organisation of all raw material libraries, supported by Samples & RM Coordinator
• Responsible for on time delivery to suppliers of all RM developments to support proto and SMS
• Support testing processes for durability, colourfastness, and quality standards.
• Monitor emerging trends in luxury leather and hardware for product innovation
• Manage the agendas for team Lineapelle trips, following up on all orders placed, to ensure suppliers receive raw materials in time for new product developments launched by Design Team

Logistics and Operations

• Be conscious of the logistics budget, ensuring spend is within the agreed financial plan
• Tracking information to be passed to relevant suppliers and logged in tracker
• Packaging of all new products to be considered and signed off by Product Director

Skills & Experience

• · 3- 4 year’s experience in product development, ideally within luxury accessories, handbags or leather goods
• · Strong knowledge of leathers, materials, and hardware for premium products.
• · Excellent organisational and project management skills, with ability to manage multiple developments simultaneously.
• · Detail-oriented with a strong eye for craftsmanship, quality, and brand aesthetics.
• · Strong communication and interpersonal skills for supplier and cross-functional liaison.
• · Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint) and PLM systems (desirable).
• · Passion for luxury fashion and accessories, with an understanding of Aspinal’s brand DNA.
• Proactive, resourceful, and solutions-focused.

Personal Attributes

• Curious and eager to learn within 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 the development of iconic British luxury products.
• Exposure to the full product lifecycle from concept to launch.
• Professional growth and training within a supportive, creative team.
• Competitive salary
• Generous Discount
• Birthday Day Off