Product Developer – Rucksacks (Multibrand)

We’re Pentland Brands; a dynamic, global family business, and proud owners and licensees of many iconic active and footwear brands. With a community of over 1,300 team members worldwide, we embrace diversity and inclusion, and champion growth and development. Our success is built on teamwork, courage, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

As a member of our Product Development team, you will develop high‑performing, durable, and consumer‑led rucksack products that elevate our active and lifestyle ranges. Working collaboratively with Design, Sample Room, Materials, Merchandising, and Sourcing teams, you will deliver industry‑leading packs engineered for functionality, comfort, and longevity. You will own the end‑to‑end development process for rucksacks, ensuring quality, fit‑for‑purpose performance, and commercial viability across all styles.

As our Product Developer – Rucksacks, you will be responsible for:

• Technical Development & Engineering: Creating and maintaining comprehensive tech packs and BOMs that clearly communicate design intent, materials, construction requirements, and functional features specific to rucksack design. Engineering rucksacks through thoughtful selection of components (back systems, straps, zips, hardware, frames, padding) to meet performance and durability standards.
• Prototyping & Fit‑for‑Purpose Testing: Partnering with Design and in‑house prototyping teams to refine early concepts before vendor engagement. Leading fit, wear, and function testing sessions, providing technical feedback and proposing engineering solutions.
• Costing & Margin Management: Conducting thorough feasibility assessments and prototype cost breakdowns. Identifying cost‑saving opportunities that maintain product integrity while meeting FOB and margin targets.
• Seasonal Delivery & Process Management: Managing all data inputs, product taxonomy, CR updates, and seasonal documentation within PLM. Meeting key stage gates and seasonal deadlines with full accountability across assigned rucksack styles. Building strong relationships with vendors and Asia‑based teams, ensuring capabilities, materials, and construction methods are optimised for rucksack development. Working closely with QA to address risk assessments, stress points, load‑bearing functionality, and compliance testing for pack construction. Collaborating with Materials teams to explore, test, and implement new trims, fabrics, coatings, and reinforcements appropriate for pack performance.
• Consumer‑First Development: Ensuring all rucksack development decisions are grounded in consumer needs, comfort insights, and real‑world use cases.

What do I bring to the role?

• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Excel, and Outlook.
• Strong working knowledge of PLM systems (advantageous).
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• Technical expertise in backpack / bag construction, panel engineering, hardware, materials, and performance requirements.
• High attention to detail with strong problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to balance creativity, function, and cost with strong commercial awareness.

What’s in it for me?

• Salary + discretionary bonus
• 25 Days Holiday (increases with length of service and the option to purchase additional days)
• Discounts: Brand discounts (including friends and family and JD Sports), Sample Sales, and other retail discounts and perks.
• Family‑Friendly Benefits: Generous enhanced parental leave policies
• Health Perks: Medical cash plan, critical illness cover, life assurance, gym and fitness discounts, dental insurance, eye care, and health screening.
• Travel Perks: Season ticket loan, cycle‑to‑work schemes, electric car schemes, and discounts on home charging units.
• Flexible Working: Hybrid working and flexible hours.
• Chance to join our Charity, D&I and Sustainability employee networks.

We want you to live our company principles, bringing a strong consumer focus, while always looking for ways to improve and grow in your role. Take ownership of your work and be proactive in solving problems whilst communicating openly and treating everyone with respect and kindness. And, of course, let your creativity shine by bringing your unique style and individuality to the Pentland Brands Team.

As an equal opportunity employer, we’re committed to fostering diversity and creating an inclusive culture across our business, stores, and office environment. This vacancy is a newly created role as part of organisational changes. Final appointment will depend upon the outcome of consultation processes and affected employees will have priority for consideration.

Location: Farringdon, England, United Kingdom

Seniority level: Associate

Employment type: Full‑time

Job function: Design

Industries: Apparel & Fashion, Sporting Goods Manufacturing