Head of Product Development - Knitwear

Our client is a dynamic and innovative supplier specializing in premium and fashion knitwear design and development for global retailers and brands. Their focus is on innovation, craftsmanship, and sustainability, offering co-creation services and seasonal design direction for their customers. As part of their growth strategy, they are seeking someone with strong expertise in knitwear who can lead their technical and product development function based in Bangladesh.

Head of Product Development - Knitwear - The Role: 
•    Take full ownership of the Product Development Centre and lead a team of approximately 100 people, with responsibility for sample development through to successful execution in production.
•    Oversee all technical meetings including tech-pack review, risk assessment, and trial reviews.
•    Ensure development decisions are documented, communicated, and implemented accurately.
•    Govern all risk assessment processes.
•    Ensure risks related to product safety, yarn, construction, fit, testing, production feasibility, machinery, and attachments are identified and closed.
•    Ensure all developments are scalable and production-feasible.
•    Ensure fit, construction, comfort, and aesthetics meet customer standards.
•    Ensure 100% accuracy of technical data including measurements, grading, SMV, yarn consumption, and risk records.
•    Work closely with Programming (Shima / Stoll), QA, IE, Merchandising, SCM, Lab, and Operations.
•    Align technical and design decisions with costing, capacity, and delivery requirements.
•    Ensure buyers and customers are supported with clear technical communication.
•    Lead, coach, and mentor the PD technical team.
•    Conduct performance monitoring, coaching, and annual appraisals.
•    Build technical capability and second-line leadership within PD.
•    Ensure product quality, testing compliance, and technical safety standards are met.

Head of Product Development - Knitwear - The Candidate:
•    Minimum 10 years in sweater/knitwear manufacturing.
•    A deep understanding of knitwear product development, sampling, programming and production execution.
•    Strong hands-on technical knowledge and significant experience with SHIMA SEIKI and STOLL knitting systems. 
•    Excellent process-improvement mindset who can review the way the PD Centre currently operates, identify bottlenecks and implement improvements to increase development speed, efficiency, quality and right-first-time execution. 
•    Ideally you will have previously led a substantial knitwear product development operation and can bring both technical depth and strong team leadership.
•    Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
•    Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
•    High attention to detail and data discipline.
•    Ability to lead under pressure.

Head of Product Development - Knitwear - The Package:
• Competitive salary DOE
• Excellent holidays and other benefits

Due to the anticipated interest in this role only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
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