Product Developer -Streetwear in Watford

This role is responsible for managing the full product development and technical process from design handover through to bulk production and shipment. It involves leading fit sessions, reviewing and approving samples, maintaining technical specifications and critical paths, managing fabrics, trims and testing, and working closely with factories and suppliers to resolve technical and quality issues. The role also requires strong cross-functional collaboration with Design, Production and Sourcing teams, while supporting continuous improvement and mentoring junior team members to ensure products meet fit, quality, commercial and compliance standards.

This is a 12 month maternity cover role.

Main Responsibilities Will Include:

• Manage the full product lifecycle from design handover through SMS, PPS and shipment, including reviewing tech packs, creating workbooks, maintaining trackers and following seasonal critical path timelines.
• Lead fit and sample development, conducting fit sessions from Proto to Shipment Samples, measuring garments, amending specifications and approving/commenting on prototypes, SMS, PPS and shipment samples to ensure fit, quality and construction meet brand standards.
• Manage technical specifications and product standards, creating and maintaining tech packs, size charts, measurement specifications, construction standards, testing manuals and web specifications, while ensuring products meet quality, performance, durability and compliance requirements.
• Manage fabrics, trims and materials, approving fabric qualities, lab dips, trims, prints and embroidery, checking colour, weight, technique, quality and sizing, and working with suppliers to resolve development issues.
• Own the development critical path and supplier communication, working directly with factories and suppliers to track samples, approvals, testing, production and shipment, proactively identifying risks, chasing outstanding actions and maintaining strong supplier relationships.
• Oversee testing, quality and technical problem-solving, assessing test reports, coordinating wash and fabric performance testing, identifying technical or construction issues and implementing practical solutions to improve fit, comfort, quality and product performance.
• Coordinate samples and cross-functional activity, including requesting and tracking marketing and buyer samples, organising sample archives, supporting design, production and sourcing teams, attending range reviews and product presentations, and travelling to Watford when required.
• Support team development and continuous improvement, advising design on technical considerations, improving systems and processes, sharing best practice and mentoring junior Garment

Person Specifications:

• Experience in Apparel Product Development, ideally across menswear with womenswear experience a plus.
• Strong problem-solving ability with a proactive, self-starting mindset and the confidence to work independently.
• Have experience in sourcing and factory allocations. Having shown previous experience of this.
• Expertise in garment fit, fabric development, washes/finishes and construction detailing.
• Previous experience working within a wholesale business model.
• Highly motivated, organised and commercially aware, with excellent communication skills.
• Proven experience managing and communicating with overseas factories and suppliers.
• Strong IT skills, particularly across MS Excel and Word.