Knitwear and Jersey Product Developer

By adopting the values of Style & Truth across the whole business – from recruitment to product – we safeguard the long term health of the brand and we create more than just fashion.

DESCRIPTION

Founded in 1970, Jigsaw was the first premium fashion brand on the high street. Since then, the company has expanded worldwide to work with the finest mills, cutting edge photographers, up-and-coming models and renowned architects. But the search for the best in the industry never stops. As our journey continues, we're looking for passionate and talented people to learn about Style & Truth: a set of values that sets us apart from the rest of the high street, a belief that everyone should feel empowered to embrace their own style, be true to themselves, and not slavishly follow the fashion world. This means putting style before trends and truth before hype.

Job Title: Knitwear and Jersey Product Developer

Location: Richmond

Contract Type: Full Time, Permanent

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Product Development:

• Responsible for all aspects of the development process from early development through to final quality control checks and delivery to stores, covering the knitwear and jersey product categories.
• Work collaboratively with the design team to develop seasonal knitwear and jersey collections, according to range plan and pricing architecture as set by merchandisers.
• Proactively participate in the product reviews and fittings, providing feedback on technical feasibility, taking fit notes and clearly communicating all changes and requirements to vendors.
• Support design with the launch of new styles and ensure the prototypes are delivered on time, to Jigsaw’s quality standard and within the target margin. Setting up and maintaining tech packs live and accurate throughout the development and production process, updating product details as required.
• Build and maintain close working relationships with manufacturers and suppliers across the FE and Europe. Daily communication with manufacturers to resolve product technical queries, manage the critical path and ensure on time deliveries.
• Cost management: early planning of materials and manufacturers in order to achieve target margins. Ongoing costing exercise and negotiation with suppliers as well as monitoring the impact of design changes on the product costing throughout the development process.
• Launching and reviewing yarn and fabric lab dips.
• Maintain the yarn and proto trackers up to date. Manage the new yarn trials, and order sampling yarns and trims.
• Source components and raw materials ahead of season, supporting sustainable practices as much as possible. Meet with fabric and yarn mills alongside Design. Order colour cards ad knit swatches. Enquire about MOQs, prices, availability and lead times. Attend yarn and textile trade shows when required.
• Ensure all trims, yarns and fabrics are communicated to vendors in a timely manner.
• Support the Design team with presenting the new collections in sign off meetings, ensuring all technical details and prices are accurate for this meeting.
• Work very closely with Merchandisers on the option plan and add-in styles as requested, and ensure the collection is in line with the pricing architecture and target margins.
• Oversee the knitwear and jersey development budget, managing seasonal development spend within target budget.
• Support and train the Product Development Assistant.

Production:

• 
  Oversee all production work including fittings, quality control and critical path management.
• Work closely with the Garment Technologist to prioritise fitting schedules and ensure fit comments are being sent to factories in a timely manner.
• Manage and negotiate deliveries with manufacturers.
• Place all bulk orders after sign off meeting and negotiate prices with vendors for bulk production.
• Actively participate in Monday Trade meetings and review range with Merchandisers to ensure the product selection is reacting to sales, identifying best and worst sellers, proposing repeats, restyling and cancelling of stock when required.
• Lead weekly tracking meetings with the internal team to update on all orders.
• Input all information into range plan and keep it up to date with all the style details, costings and delivery dates information.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• 
  A minimum of 4+ years’ experience in product development or buying
• Experience of working with knitwear & knowledge of fabrics & yarn suitability
• Technical understanding of garment construction
• Excellent organisational skills
• Solution orientated
• Ability to work well under pressure and meet critical path deadlines
• Positive attitude and team player
• Competent IT skills including Word, Excel
• Knowledge of NAV Dynamics and Adobe package would be a plus

SALARY AND BENEFITS

• 
  25 days holidays
• Fantastic Staff discount schemes – up to 50% (and 70% on 5 items per season)
• Life Assurance
• Pension
• Access to the Retail Trust – Jigsaw’s wellbeing and benefits provider, for a whole host of resources, support and discounts

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications are encouraged from individuals regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnerships or pregnancy and maternity.