Knitwear & Jersey Product Developer

Our client is a highly successful privately owned business with two premium womenswear brands focused on contemporary design in natural fabrics. They are currently seeking someone to take responsibility for managing the seasonal product development of new designs whilst also developing their supply chain for all knit and jersey products. This is an exciting and dynamic maternity cover role which requires an experienced person to be able to hit the ground running. 

Knitwear & Jersey Product Developer – The Role:

• Work closely with designers to understand requirements in terms of new fabrics and techniques
• Own the relationship with partner suppliers, garment factories and fabric mills
• Source new yarns requested by designers as well as making new fabric recommendations to the design team
• Work on the development of new yarns and knit downs
• Become the expert in terms of where to get what yarns
• Propose suppliers for each new design and manage the placement of products with suppliers
• Negotiate all cost prices with suppliers
• Propose retail prices for all products for all 3 markets (UK, Europe, USA)
• Order sample cones, fabric lengths and arrange yarn testing
• Agree and manage critical path with suppliers to ensure shoot samples and bulk deliveries on time
• Travel to fabric shows and visit suppliers, new and existing
• Understand the strengths and weaknesses of our supply chain, propose new developments and seek new opportunities
• Ensure QC team in are fully informed
• Help to resolve QC issues
• Attend all fit sessions with designer, type up notes and send out to suppliers
• Arrange fit sessions according to the timetable and designers availability
• Attend sketch reviews, select designs with the team and create boards to help focus the collection.
• Discuss suppliers for each style and then send out all initial tec packs
• Make product sheets to send to suppliers once all tec packs have gone out, cc’ing merch to follow up with critical path 

Knitwear & Jersey Product Developer – The Candidate:

• The role demands someone who understands textiles from an aesthetic point of view combined with a commercial understanding of the fashion industry, comfortable with prices and margins
• Good technical knowledge of knitwear and jersey, and experience of working with natural fabrics
• Organised self-starter
• A team player with natural communication skills, good at building relationships
• Experienced, professional and confident in dealing with suppliers

Knitwear & Jersey Product Developer – The Package:

• Highly competitive salary DOE
• Discount on product

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