Freelance Product Development & Production Manager

As Freelance Product Development & Production Manager you will be responsible for the critical path management and timely delivery of development samples and production ensuring each collection drop achieves delivery, margin and quality expectations. The successful candidate will be hands-on with around 5-6 years of experience in luxury fashion specialising in the development and production of commercial WRTW collections working with factories in Eastern Europe, Italy and ideally India for embellishment.

Start date: ASAP

Location: Central London 

Freelance contract: 5 days a week for approx. 4-6 weeks.

Main responsibilities

• Maintain and manage the seasonal critical path for development and production.
• Manage and track all aspects of the development and production budget.
• Negotiation with suppliers to ensure margin requirements are achieved.
• Allocate styles to factories based on manufacturing capabilities and price targets.
• Maintain excellent relationships with mostly CMT factories in Italy, Europe and India for embellished styles.
• Follow sample development from prototype launch to production sign-off attending fittings with the garment technologist as required.
• Sourcing and development of raw materials working with existing mills.
• Tracking of raw materials, adhering to the seasonal calendar ensuring all orders are placed and received within the correct time frame.
• Ensure the accurate input of all style and product information into Zedonk including codes, prices, lead times, etc.
• Maintain excellent production quality standards.
• Monitor sample development and production progress, maintaining daily communication with suppliers throughout.

Essential Skills

• Product Development & Production Manager with at least 6 years experience in luxury fashion Women's RTW.
• Hands-on experience working with luxury factories, agents, suppliers and mills.
• Experience in the sourcing and development of raw materials.
• Proven critical path management ability.
• Exceptional organisation skills with excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent time management with the ability to multi-task, delegate and prioritise.
• Skilled in delivering against margins, quality, price and delivery targets.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent problem solving and negotiation skills.
• Software proficiency in Zedonk and MS Office.