At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage the entire product development process from design to production in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join a stable, family-owned apparel business with a modern growth mindset.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career progression, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Collaborative culture that values your ideas and fosters professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in fashion while working with global brands and innovative teams.
- Qualifications: 2-5 years in apparel product development, especially menswear, with strong project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Join a successful and growing international apparel business that combines the stability of a well-established family-owned company with the ambition of a modern growth organisation. Known for investing in its people, this is an environment where you'll be given the opportunity to learn, develop and progress whilst working alongside experienced industry professionals. This opportunity is ideal for a commercially minded Product Developer with menswear experience who is looking to broaden their skills and take the next step in their career.
Working across the full product lifecycle, you'll gain valuable exposure to sourcing, supplier management, product development and commercial operations within a fast-paced wholesale environment.
The Opportunity
Working closely with Design, Technical, Buying and Supply Chain teams, you will play a key role in driving product development across multiple categories, ensuring products are delivered on time, within budget and to the highest quality standards. You'll be responsible for managing overseas suppliers, fabric and trim development, garment construction, fit approvals and factory allocation decisions while supporting seasonal collections and customer-specific programmes.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage the end-to-end product development process from design concept through to bulk production
- Oversee seasonal critical paths and development calendars
- Work across multiple collections and seasons simultaneously
- Manage product development for both core ranges and customer-specific programmes
- Build and maintain strong relationships with overseas factories and suppliers
- Source and develop fabrics, trims, washes and finishes in line with commercial objectives
- Lead approvals across fabrics, trims, packaging, lab dips, prints and embellishments
- Attend fit sessions and collaborate with Technical and Design teams on product improvements
- Negotiate supplier pricing and identify opportunities for margin enhancement
- Manage sample tracking, submissions and development reporting
- Allocate factories based on product category, lead times, pricing and manufacturing capabilities
- Support cross-functional teams to ensure smooth progression from development through to production.
About You
To be successful in this role, you will ideally have:
- 2–5 years' experience in Apparel Product Development
- Strong menswear product development experience (womenswear exposure advantageous)
- Previous experience working within a wholesale fashion business
- Strong understanding of garment construction, fit, fabric development and finishing techniques
- Experience sourcing products and allocating factories
- Proven success managing overseas suppliers and manufacturing partners
- Excellent organisation and project management skills
- Commercial awareness with strong negotiation capabilities
- A proactive, solutions-focused approach and ability to work independently
Why Join This Business?
- Excellent salary package with long-term career prospects
- Genuine opportunities for progression and professional development
- Join a financially strong, stable and well-established family-owned business with an impressive track record of growth
- Work within a collaborative, supportive and down-to-earth culture where employees are valued and empowered
- Accessible and humble leadership team that encourages teamwork, innovation and accountability
- Exposure to globally recognised fashion and lifestyle brands across diverse product categories
- A fast-paced environment where your ideas and contributions can make a real impact.
Product Developer in Bedford employer: Provallar Executive Search
Join a thriving international apparel business that uniquely blends the stability of a family-owned company with the dynamic ambition of a modern growth organisation. Here, you will find a supportive and collaborative work culture that values your contributions, alongside genuine opportunities for professional development and career progression. With access to globally recognised brands and a leadership team that fosters innovation and accountability, this is an ideal environment for a commercially minded Product Developer looking to make a meaningful impact.
Contact Details:
Provallar Executive Search Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Developer in Bedford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry professionals on LinkedIn or attend local fashion events. Building connections can open doors and give you insider info about job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best work in product development. This is your chance to demonstrate your experience with menswear and garment construction, so make it shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in sourcing and supplier management. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Product Developer in Bedford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Product Developer role. Highlight your menswear experience and any relevant projects you've worked on, as this will show us you're a great fit for our team.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about product development in the apparel industry. Share specific examples of how you've managed product lifecycles or worked with suppliers, so we can see your hands-on experience.
Showcase Your Commercial Awareness:In your application, demonstrate your understanding of the commercial aspects of product development. Talk about any successful negotiations or cost-saving initiatives you've been involved in, as this is key for us in a fast-paced wholesale environment.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This way, your application goes straight to us, and we can review it promptly. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our awesome team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Provallar Executive Search
✨Know Your Product Lifecycle
Make sure you understand the full product lifecycle, from design concept to bulk production. Be ready to discuss your experience managing critical paths and development calendars, as this will show your potential employer that you can handle the fast-paced environment they operate in.
✨Showcase Your Supplier Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed overseas suppliers and negotiated pricing. Highlight any specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them, as this demonstrates your proactive and solutions-focused approach.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness
Be prepared to discuss how you align product development with commercial objectives. Share insights on how you've sourced fabrics and trims that not only meet quality standards but also enhance margins, showcasing your understanding of the business side of product development.
✨Collaborate and Communicate
Since you'll be working closely with various teams, emphasise your collaboration skills. Prepare to talk about how you've worked with Design, Technical, and Buying teams in the past, and how you ensure smooth progression from development to production.
