Product Developer - Workwear in Worcester

Location: Worcester

Permanent, Full Time

Hours: Monday-Friday, 37.5 hours per week

Hybrid: 1 day per week working from home/flexible hours

Salary: £(phone number removed)

About the Role

My client designs and manufactures high-visibility, protective clothing for industries like rail, construction, and infrastructure and is seeking an experienced Product Developer (3+ years in Product Development), with strong technical expertise in protective workwear, capable of managing complex product development independently. You will play a key role in developing high-performance protective garments across hi-visibility, Flame Retardant (FR), and Electric ARC categories, taking responsibility for products from concept through to bulk production, certification, and launch.

Key Responsibilities

• Product Research & Innovation
  • Conduct market research to identify emerging trends, innovative materials, and opportunities for product differentiation within the hi-visibility and protective workwear market, both within and outside the sector.
  • Research and source new fabrics, working closely with mills to ensure materials are fit for purpose, meet required safety standards, and deliver improvements in performance, sustainability, and cost effectiveness.
  • Work closely with third-party testing houses to define, manage, and complete all required testing and garment certification.
  • Research and evaluate fabric treatments where required.
  • Review and analyse cost prices to ensure new and existing products meet company margin requirements.
  • Identify technical risks during development and proactively implement solutions to ensure compliance, performance, and on-time delivery.
• Product Documentation & Specification
  • Create and manage Bills of Materials (BOMs) and detailed garment specification technical files and workbooks, ensuring clarity and accuracy for factory partners and certification bodies.
  • Produce and maintain Range Plans for internal planning and communication.
  • Build, maintain, and submit all required technical files, including test reports, certification documentation, and label information (care labels, UIS labels, etc.).
  • Manage the sampling process, including fabric and component testing.
  • Plan and run garment fit sessions across multiple product ranges, documenting outcomes and providing clear, actionable feedback to factories.
  • Review and approve pre-production (PP) samples, including assessment of bulk fabrics and trims.
  • Take full responsibility for one of PULSAR®'s product collections, overseeing development from design handover or redesign of existing products through to bulk production, ensuring products are fit for purpose, compliant, and delivered within the agreed critical path.
  • Analyse sales data to inform new product development, ensuring products are commercially viable in terms of cost, margin, and lead time.
  • Keep the Product Development Manager updated on development progress, including certification, testing, sampling, critical path status, and factory issues.
  • Ensure critical paths provided by the Head of Product, Ethics, Compliance & Sustainability are maintained to achieve timely product delivery.
• Standards & Compliance
  • Ensure all products meet relevant industry standards including EN ISO:20471, RIS 3279 TOM, EN:343, ISO:13688, and additional applicable standards where required.
  • Work proactively with suppliers and testing partners to maintain compliance throughout development and post-launch.
  • Monitor changes in industry standards and regulations, assessing their impact on existing and future products.
• Supply Chain & Factory Collaboration
  • Support sourcing and resourcing activities to identify and qualify new factory partners.
  • Maintain clear, effective communication with factories to resolve technical queries, support sample development, and ensure manufacturing accuracy.
  • Work with external trim suppliers on new trim development and innovation.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Ensure Sales, Marketing, and Operations teams have accurate and up-to-date product information to support commercial activities.
  • Provide technical support to Marketing and ensure information is delivered in line with product launch plans.
  • Support product presentations, sales meetings, and internal product sign-off.
  • Provide ad hoc support to the Product Development team as required.

Skills & Experience

• Degree in Fashion Design, Textiles, or Product Development (advantageous).
• Proven experience developing protective workwear, including hi-visibility, FR, electric ARC, or high-performance garments.
• Strong understanding of EN standards, GRS certification, design assessments, and technical file submission for certification.
• Knowledge of textile performance, fabric and trim testing for protective wear.
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Adobe Illustrator for garment flat CADs.
• Quality control experience, including garment measurement, sizing, and size chart creation.
• Strong interest in sustainability, including fabrics, circularity, end-of-life considerations, and digital product passports.
• Experience working with global supply chains, including Asia, Africa, China and Europe.
• Comfortable working in a regulated, compliance-driven product environment.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to liaise confidently with global suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple projects and critical paths to meet deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail with a proactive approach to process improvement and cost efficiencies.
• Ability to balance technical performance, commercial requirements, and development timelines.

Benefits:

• 25 days holiday (plus an additional 5 days after 10 years' service)
• Company pension scheme
• Free onsite parking

If you wish to be considered for the role, please contact Joanne Harris on (phone number removed) or email your cv to (url removed)