The Product Development Manager is responsible for overseeing the development of 4 seasonal collections from design to production handover comprising Women’s RTW and Accessories, ensuring that the collections fulfil the range plan and achieve, quality, fit, margin and critical path expectations.

The successful candidate will have around 5+ years of experience in Product Development specialising in contemporary or luxury Women's RTW and ideally accessories.

Thought-provoking design combined with a strong sense of invention and newness is at the foundation of this Central London-based luxury brand which embodies nonconformist yet commercial silhouettes, rich colour and inspired details with a visual twist.

Main Responsibilities:

• Working closely with the Creative Director & Founder to oversee and execute the product development lifecycle for all collections from design to production handover for Women’s Ready-To-Wear including knitwear and accessories.
• Manage the day-to-day running of the development process and small in-house atelier.
• Manage the critical path ensuring the whole process is carefully engineered to deliver product on time and to budget and that all parties are aware of responsibilities and deadlines.
• Seasonal planning to agree the range plan, prices and margin targets ensuring these are met.
• Source new fabrics and raw materials as required, working with mills, tanneries and suppliers to develop raw materials and components and ensure suitability for end use mitigating any technical issues.
• Launch initial sketches with pattern cutters guiding the technical development of each style aligned with the vision of the creative director.
• Launch development styles with the factories in Italy, Spain and China sourcing new potential factories and suppliers to improve the supply chain.
• Working with both CMT and fully factored factories.
• Manage the knitwear developer and garment technologist.
• Oversee and attend all reviews and fittings feeding comments back to the relevant pattern cutters and or factories.
• Ensure accurate and timely entry of data for all product information in Zedonk.
• Travel to new and existing factories for sourcing to launch styles, monitor developments and maintain positive relationships.
• Work closely with the production manager to ensure all products are finalised on time and ready for production handover.
• Lead all VIP projects attending all fittings.

Essential Skills

• Product Development Manager with a minimum of 5 years of product development experience in luxury fashion and at least 1 year in a management role.
• Expertise in Women’s Ready-to-Wear including knitwear and leather handbags.
• Established network of luxury factories, agents, suppliers and mills.
• Experience in the sourcing and development of luxury raw materials.
• Exceptional organisation skills with excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent time management with the ability to multi-task, delegate and prioritise.
• Proven track record delivering against margins, quality, price and delivery targets.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong knowledge of garment construction and finishing.
• Committed to achieving excellent quality.
• Excellent problem solving and negotiation skills.
• Software proficiency in Zedonk and MS Office
• Hands-on, positive team player able to develop junior team members and build strong relationships.