Product Development & Design Manager

About the role

Velocity Activewear is seeking an experienced and passionate Product Development & Design Manager to join the in-house team and play a key role in developing future collections. This is a highly hands-on role that sits across fashion design, product development, trend forecasting, range planning, sampling and manufacturing. You will work closely with the Founder/Creative Director and Product Buyer to bring new product ideas to life, from initial concept through to samples, production and launch.

Key responsibilities

• Develop new activewear designs and product concepts for upcoming collections

• Research current and emerging fashion, activewear and lifestyle trends

• Monitor the market and competitor landscape to identify opportunities

• Present new capsule collection and product ideas to the wider team

• Create detailed tech packs for new products

• Create product mock-ups, design concepts and technical drawings

• Communicate design, fabric, colour, trim and construction requirements clearly to manufacturers

• Liaise directly with manufacturers throughout the product development process

• Organise and manage samples from initial concept through to final approval

• Review samples closely for design, fit, fabric, construction and quality

About you

• Previous experience in fashion design, apparel product development or a similar role

• Experience creating tech packs

• Experience with garment sampling and product development

• Experience liaising with manufacturers

• Strong understanding of fabrics, fit and garment construction

• Strong understanding of current fashion and activewear trends

• Experience specifically within an activewear brand will be highly regarded

• Highly organised and capable of managing multiple products and deadlines at once

• Exceptional attention to detail

• Confident communicating with manufacturers and negotiating solutions