Junior Product Developer in Manchester

Description

Fanatics Commerce is the global leader in licensed sports merchandise, operating a vertically integrated platform that designs, manufactures, and delivers officially licensed apparel, jerseys, headwear, and collectibles for major leagues, teams, and events worldwide.

With more than 900 e-commerce sites and a global omnichannel presence across digital, in-venue, and retail, Fanatics Commerce reaches fans in over 180 countries and powers official fan experiences for many of the world's most iconic sports properties.

At Fanatics, we bring our BOLD Leadership Principles to life every day—building championship teams, obsessing over fans, acting with limitless entrepreneurial spirit, and delivering with a determined and relentless mindset.

As we continue to scale our global platform, the

Junior Product Developer will play a critical role in delivering high-quality, on-trend licensed apparel from concept through to production-ready status.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Junior Product Developer supports the Product Development team across the full end-to-end development process, working closely with Design, Sourcing, and Production teams to bring officially licensed sportswear and apparel to life.

Reporting to a Senior Product Developer and based at our Manchester office on a hybrid basis, this entry-level role offers hands-on exposure to tech pack creation, sample coordination, and cross-functional collaboration.

The Junior Product Developer delivers business and fan impact through BOLD leadership and execution excellence, leveraging data, automation, and AI-enabled insights.

HOW WILL YOU DRIVE IMPACT

Success is measured by the ability to deliver results through BOLD capabilities and measurable outcomes.

• Fan & Customer Impact (Obsessed with Fans)
• Support the creation and upkeep of Bills of Materials (BOM) and Tech Packs, ensuring all product documentation is complete and meets Fanatics' global product standards, directly contributing to the quality fans expect.
• Assist with the development and approval of labels, badges, and trims, helping to ensure every product detail reflects the authenticity and quality that fans demand.
• Support the compilation of basic metrics and reporting to track on-time sample performance and quality, contributing to a product pipeline that consistently delivers for fans.
• Help coordinate sample flow (protos, SMS, and fit samples) between internal teams and external partners, keeping the development calendar on track and ensuring fans receive great product on time.
• Innovation & Problem Solving (Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit)
• Build foundational knowledge of fabric, trim, construction, and product engineering by shadowing and supporting senior team members, developing the expertise to contribute to smarter, more efficient development processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve the accuracy and consistency of data input and record keeping across PD systems, including PLM and trackers, to drive greater efficiency across the team.
• Support the wider team in preparing for seasonal milestone meetings — including Proto/Costing Reviews and Line Freeze — bringing a proactive, solutions-focused approach to ensuring materials and information are ready in good time.
• Demonstrate curiosity and a willingness to explore how digital tools and emerging technologies can enhance product development workflows and outcomes.
• Ownership & Execution (Determined & Relentless Mindset)
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date product development trackers, ensuring key dates and milestones are clearly recorded and the team can execute against the calendar with confidence.
• Attend fit meetings alongside senior colleagues, taking detailed notes on product change requests and following up diligently on all required actions to keep development on track.
• Manage day-to-day administrative and coordination tasks — including in/out parcel coordination and communication with internal and external partners — with precision and a high standard of organisation.
• Manage multiple concurrent tasks and prioritise effectively in a fast-paced environment, demonstrating a determined and relentless approach to delivering on commitments.
• Team & Leadership Impact (Build Championship Teams)
• Collaborate with colleagues across Product Development, Design, Sourcing, and Production teams, communicating clearly and confidently to support seamless cross-functional execution.
• Contribute positively to the wider team culture by bringing a proactive, can-do attitude and a genuine willingness to support colleagues wherever needed.
• Build strong working relationships with internal and external partners, representing the Product Development team professionally in all interactions.
• AI & DIGITAL CAPABILITY

We are building a future-ready organization. This role is expected to

• Apply AI and technology to improve efficiency, quality, and outcomes
• Use data and digital tools to inform decisions and enhance performance
• Demonstrate curiosity and adaptability in adopting new technologies and ways of working
• Contribute to a culture of innovation and continuous improvement
• CAPABILITIES & EXPERIENCE YOU BRING
• A genuine interest in product development, sportswear, or apparel, with a strong willingness to learn and grow within the field.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent organisational skills, with the ability to maintain accuracy across multiple development trackers, BOMs, and Tech Packs simultaneously.
• A proactive, can-do attitude with a demonstrated willingness to get involved, support the wider team, and take ownership of tasks.
• Good written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to liaise effectively with colleagues across different teams and external partners.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel; experience with PLM systems is advantageous but not required.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritise effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Willingness to be based at our Manchester office on a hybrid basis, with occasional domestic travel to support product development activities.

Education

A relevant degree or equivalent experience in Product Development, Fashion, Textiles, or a related field is desirable but not essential.

At Fanatics, we operate with a BOLD mindset—We Build Championship Teams, we're Obsessed with Fans, we embrace a Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit, and we approach every challenge with a Determined & Relentless Mindset.

If you're ready to contribute to a dynamic, fast-paced environment that thrives on collaboration and growth, we want you to be part of our team.