Head of Product Development in London

Casablanca Paris represents a unique vision of luxury, blending Parisian elegance with multicultural influences. Founded with a commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and modern sophistication, Casablanca is defined by its free-spirited ethos and distinctive aesthetic. More than a fashion house, Casablanca offers an immersive lifestyle experience, where artistry, creativity, and innovation meet. As we continue to expand globally, digital excellence sits at the heart of our growth strategy. We are looking for ambitious talent to join us on this journey, shaping the way Casablanca connects with its community worldwide.

Overview

You will lead the development and sourcing of four yearly collections, ensuring they are commercially viable, operationally deliverable and aligned with quality and long-term brand growth objectives. Partnering cross-functionally with Design, Merchandising, Sales, Production and external suppliers, you will shape collection development, safeguard critical path integrity and deliver product at optimal margin, quality and cost efficiency. The role plays a key part in financial forecasting, supplier strategy and risk management, proactively identifying cost-saving initiatives, margin opportunities and process improvements that strengthen overall business performance while upholding luxury standards.

The role

• Define and lead the seasonal Product Development strategy across Menswear, Womenswear and Accessories, delivering collections and special projects from concept through to production, aligning creative vision with commercial objectives, margin targets and long-term brand growth.
• Partner with Design to develop collections in line with the creative brief, brand positioning, sustainability objectives, margin targets and overall business strategy.
• Collaborate closely with Merchandising on collection planning, price architecture and retail targets to ensure commercial viability from the earliest stages of development.
• Contribute strategic insight to new projects and growth initiatives, evaluating resource requirements, critical path implications and potential liabilities.
• Own and manage the full development critical path, ensuring alignment across Design, Merchandising and Production to meet all seasonal deadlines.
• Work cross-functionally with Production to ensure a smooth transition from development to bulk, reducing risk and safeguarding timelines.
• Identify opportunities to streamline Development and Design processes, improving team efficiency, clarity and workflow.
• Oversee and lead the setup and continuous improvement of our PLM system, working alongside developers to optimise processes, and manage the accurate seasonal transfer of data to our online sales platform, ensuring smooth running throughout the sales period.
• Manage seasonal budget tracking, cost forecasting and spend analysis, identifying efficiencies and margin-enhancing opportunities.
• Oversee landed cost analysis to support pricing strategy, margin optimisation and informed commercial decision-making.
• Research and onboard new suppliers and mills, assessing fabrication innovation, technical capability, pricing structures and scalability.
• Build and nurture strong supplier relationships through clear communication, negotiation and performance management.
• Lead, coach and support the Product Development team, fostering technical excellence, professional growth and a collaborative working culture.
• Engage confidently with senior leadership, aligning Product Development strategy with overarching business objectives and brand growth plans.

The candidate

• Proven experience managing product development from Design brief through to finished product in a luxury or contemporary fashion environment.
• Strong technical knowledge of garment construction across multiple categories.
• Demonstrated experience managing Critical Path and seasonal budgets.
• Proficiency in Excel with strong organisational and data management skills.
• Familiarity with PLM systems (e.g. Odoo) and the Le New Black platform.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Proactive and solution-oriented, with a focus on process and operational improvement.
• Ability to take ownership, work independently and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Positive, can-do attitude with an eagerness to grow within the business.