Product Developer in London

Working at Stella McCartney is a truly rewarding experience. As a luxury fashion company with a strong ethical standpoint, we are leaders and innovators in our industry.

Reporting to the RTW Knitwear Jersey & Denim Product Director, the Product Developer is key in creating a synergic flow of information between the Design, Industry Product area in Italy, purchasing office (TRIMS&Woven Director in London and in Italy) and Merchandising team based in London. The Product Development team works with the Press, Design, Production and London Atelier teams to ensure all special projects requiring woven products are completed within deadlines and all costs are recorded accurately and communicated to the Press and accounts teams.

In cooperation with the Industry PD (based in Italy), you will ensure the new RTW product design is interpreted and manufactured to the correct luxury standard. The PD will closely support the Design Team in their needs. The PD needs to coordinate the different design teams: DENIM-JERSEY-PRINT-EMBROIDERY & TRIMS purchasing in order to match the TIMING and solve any issues that may happen during the collection project flow.

This role will require strong operational skills and a deep understanding of product development and garment manufacturing processes in relation to knitwear, Denim & Jersey categories. You will need to understand all the roles involved in the process, from conceiving a design idea until the start of Production, in order to make the whole process smooth and within deadlines.

The main task will be to support all the departments involved (Design, Industry PD) by providing information and detailed updates on the progress of the collection, by having excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Your Mission:

• Work with design to support the process of material sourcing/development and prototyping for specific categories of products.
• Responsible for the smooth communication between London and Industry PD - related to all raw material developers (Fabric & Trim, Special Fabric, Embroidery) and coordination of the whole requests and needs.
• Monitor the development of the collection: from sketch launch through the proto stage to the finished sample by attending relevant meetings.
• Ensure that the line-sheet and boards are all constantly updated, monitoring progress and cancellations and forwarded to the relevant departments (Design, Merchandising, Industry PD).
• Follow the critical path and assist the Studio Director in ensuring that development deadlines are met on time, flagging issues early to relevant parties, helping to avoid and resolve problems and communicating changes to the team.
• Ensure the commercial collection fulfils the range plan as closely as possible, attending regular meetings with the Merchandising to review.
• Organize prototypes delivery and fittings; making sure adjustments are made in a timely and accurate manner.
• Liaise with the Head of Atelier by giving pattern priorities.
• Attend prototypes fittings providing packs to Industry PD.
• Produce with the PD team FTS documents, supporting Design Team during RTW collection definition.
• Review all prototypes and sale samples to ensure good design interpretation.
• Interact with Merchandising team providing all code data and all the useful info that could impact costs.
• Oversee the SMS sampling process with Industry PD for both the show/look book: providing clear visibility of what stage each sample is and where it is and communicating outstanding issues to relevant parties.
• Support the design team with the styling of the collection, fittings and managing adjustments and communicating changes to all departments involved.
• Ensure that the Industry PD has visibility on the samples development and changes they require for a smooth handover to production.
• Support the Industry PD team by managing the changes, style derivatives, and cancellations post-show and Look book, to ensure that a final line-up is handed over to production with updated product specification and raw material details.
• Organize and attend production fittings alongside Industry PD.
• Act as a lead contact point based in the Design Studio, taking responsibility for the development of the Ready to Wear collection after the first creative phase and before the production one.

Your Talent:

• Fluent in English, with additional languages, specifically Italian being desirable.
• At least 3-5 years’ experience in a similar Product Development position.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong understanding of knitwear, jersey and denim categories.
• Experience in a similar role.
• Proficient in MS Office and Adobe suite.

Reward:

• Up to 50% discount on Stella McCartney products.
• Matched pension contribution up to 6%.
• Extensive private medical and critical illness insurance, as well as life assurance.
• Annual Health Screening.
• 25 days annual leave (not including Bank Holidays) + 1 day of Birthday leave.
• Flexible working/core hours.
• Enhanced Maternity/paternity packages.
• Matched Give as You Earn charity scheme.
• Discounted gym and fitness memberships (Classpass).
• Health cash plan.
• Physical and Mental Wellbeing Support Services.
• Employee referral bonus.
• Optional/Paid Benefits: Season ticket loan, cycle to work and tech schemes, travel and dental insurance and much more.

We welcome people with disabilities and endeavour to make reasonable adjustments. If you do require such adjustments, please let us know within 48 hours of your interview.

At Stella McCartney, we like to be bold. For us, this means challenging ourselves and the wider industry in which we operate. As part of our commitments to inclusive fashion, we have an ambitious strategy to put diversity, equity and inclusion at the centre of everything we do. Our starting point is to create a workplace where different voices are respected, heard and empowered in equal measure regardless of factors such as culture and backgrounds, and to influence and disrupt fashion and other industries by providing opportunities for global diverse talent to shine.