Product Development Manager (ftc -1 year Mat Cover)

An exciting opportunity to join a reputable global company ,licensing well renowned sportswear brands, based at their London office seeking an experienced and commercially focused Product Development Manager to cover maternity leave. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the end-to-end product development process across premium fashion and lifestyle brands, working closely with Design, Technical, Sales, and Sourcing teams to deliver commercially successful collections.

Main Responsibilities Will Include :

• Leading the complete product development lifecycle from concept through to production across multiple apparel categories.
• Creating and managing seasonal SKU plans, critical paths, and delivery calendars in partnership with Design teams.
• Driving product development to ensure collections are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
• Managing supplier relationships across global supply bases, including fabric, trim, and garment manufacturers.
• Sourcing and developing fabrics, trims, and product solutions that align with brand and commercial objectives.
• Conducting range reviews and managing product sign-off processes throughout development.
• Overseeing garment fit approval processes from prototype stage through to pre-production samples.
• Reviewing product costings, pricing, and margins to ensure commercial targets are achieved.
• Managing branding developments and ensuring consistency across product categories.
• Monitoring supplier performance and identifying opportunities to improve efficiencies, quality, and profitability.
• Leading and supporting Product Development and Technical team members, ensuring effective workload planning and team development.
• Collaborating closely with Design, Sales, Technical, and Production teams to deliver successful seasonal collections.
• Driving process improvements and best practices across product development and technical functions.

Person Specification :

• Extensive experience in apparel product development within fashion, sportswear, athleisure, casualwear, or lifestyle brands.
• Proven track record of managing the end-to-end product development process from concept through to production.
• Strong sourcing and supplier management experience across international supply chains.
• Excellent understanding of garment construction, fit, technical development, and manufacturing processes.
• Strong commercial awareness with experience managing costs, margins, and product profitability.
• Previous team management experience with the ability to motivate, coach, and develop others.
• Excellent organisational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across cross-functional teams and build effective supplier relationships.