Our Client is a high-end engineered performance apparel sportswear based in London.
They use innovative technology to engineer apparel that serves as a support system for conscious
athletic performance.
The role:
You will be responsible and accountable for successfully delivering the development and production of
all the ranges. Partnering with the Head of Innovation, Design, the COO and CEO you will be required
to develop prototypes, salesman samples and bulk production to a high level of quality and detail. This
will include providing comprehensive technical advice and support including; creative/technical
solutions during fittings, fabric selection, accurate costings and any ad-hoc requests from all your
stakeholders.
Main Responsibilities:
• Responsible for maintaining a close and productive working partnership with all stake holders.
• Using in-depth product knowledge and taking ownership of the product development end-to-end
process and ensuring quality and attention to detail is maintained, e.g. developments are to the
required standard including correct fabric, trim, colour, pattern etc.
• Responsible for owning and managing the Critical Path from prototypes, SMS, pre-production (silver
seal) and production (gold seal) and managing all the end to end timelines. This includes taking
responsibility and accountability for implementing the Critical Path with manufacturers and ensuring
deadlines and any last-minute changes are managed with minimal negative impact to the brand and
timelines.
• Responsible for delivering prototypes and samples on time, to a high-quality level and within the target
cost price. This includes taking responsibility to flag and find solutions to potential impact on margin and
or achieving the desired look and feel of the products.
• Responsible for ensuring functionality (including consistency and standardisation) and end-use is
maintained. Ensure products developed are fit for purpose for the customer, brand and business. This
includes ongoing risk assessment during the development process and proactivity taking action.
• Responsible for ordering/booking trims and fabrics for all proto’s and SMS samples and production
where orders are not fully factored.
• Raising and issuing order confirmation (book production space) with mills and factories as soon as
wholesale and on-line orders are confirmed.
• Responsible for raising all SMS and bulk production PO’s for all suppliers.
• Responsible for maintaining effective working relationships with suppliers, developing a strong working
knowledge of their capabilities, capacity and availability to meet our requirements.
• Responsible for managing product testing.
Responsible for negotiating costs with manufacturers and identifying opportunities for cost reduction.
• Maintaining accurate costs against budget and target prices including all on-costs.
• To provide accurate information and resolve problems that arise during and after the development of
the collections.
• Continually seek to evolve the way the business approaches product development by improving
processes to improve efficiencies.
• Organizing and scheduling fit meetings between the design team and product development teams.
• Managing and maintaining data on Zedonk.
Any other duties needed to help fulfil the brands business objectives.
Experience:
• A highly organised, detail oriented and great team player with a minimum of 3 years experience.
• Ability to prioritise and manage many projects simultaneously whilst always maintaining attention to detail
• Experience in apparel, preferably sportwear but not essential
• Knowledge of Zedonk or similar ERP system preferred
• Flexible and self-motivated with ability to problem solve, carry out tasks independently and prioritise
workload
• Excellent communication, organisational and management skills