Product Developer (RTW)

Job Title: Product Developer (RTW)

Reporting to: Senior Product Development Manager

Location: VBL HQ – Hammersmith, London

Role Overview:

Supporting the Senior Product Development Manager, the Product Developer for RTW provides a link between In-House and Factory sampling processes, thus, leading the development of categories including Soft Separates and our Fully Factored Jersey programme.

The Product Developer will also play an important role in carrying developments from initial design concept through to the Production Handover of finished product.

Responsibilities:

Collection Development

• Codification of styles within assigned Product Categories.
• Creation and maintenance of Tech Packs.
• Follow the product from the first sketch to the realisation of Proto / SMS and handover to Tech Team.
• Following up with Manufacturers & the Atelier on a regular basis to keep track of development timelines and deliveries ahead of design reviews & technical fittings.
• Working on the development of seasonal trims in relation to your product categories or with specific suppliers.
• Attend Sketch / Style launches, technical fittings and production handover to the Technical Team for relevant product categories.
• Liaise with VBL teams, Factories, Suppliers and the Head of Product Development to ensure all technical information is translated effectively to produce correct Prototypes & SMS whilst ensuring indications from Design are adhered to.
• Liaise with the Fabric Team to ensure deadlines are met / suppliers notified of any delays etc.
• Anticipate technical problems, implementing corrective action when required.
• Anticipate industrialisation earlier within the development process, with the view to facilitating the Industrialisation and Bulk Production.
• Request technical sheets from the factories and suppliers to ensure garments and components are viable for production.
• Proposing ‘finishes’ for garments, alongside the Designer & Pattern Cutter, always being mindful of target price.
• Be aware of new technical finishes and innovative ways of producing a garment.
• Factory visits: to explain our desired finishes for the garments and our requested aesthetic and communication throughout the development & sampling process.
• Ensure counter samples and relevant tests are completed where required (e.g., dry clean tests for trims / contrasts / pleats).
• Research into new suppliers / manufacturers where a specific technique or handle is needed.
• Create strong partnerships / relationships with the manufacturers & suppliers.

Pricing / Costing Management

• Keep a keen eye on other product categories, as an overview of the collection, to refine and align processes / techniques / trims & finishes.
• Keep track of the cost of the developed techniques, communicating them to the relevant team members to make sure they are viable for Production.
• Creating VPO’s where relevant and ensuring the Budget Tracker is kept up to date.
• Ensure garments, and their relevant prices, are received on time for necessary fittings, meetings & reviews.
• Overseeing shipments to and from factories where necessary.
• Input the bills of material into Zedonk / PLM Systems for assigned product categories.

Essential Skills & Requirements

• Experience in Product Development across both Fully Factored & CMT.
• Proactivity in considering a collection, across all Product Categories.
• Understanding of Product Costing & Product Margins.
• Strong organisation skills, including but not limited to personal space and team areas.
• Ability to self-motivate, following timelines and deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and PLM programs.

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