Product Development Manager

As Product Development Manager, you will bring the design brief to life for this Canadian brand, known for elevated multi-category womenswear built on thoughtful fabrics, considered construction and pieces that move effortlessly between work and everyday life.You will lead multi-category development from design brief to production handover, accurately translating design intent into commercial reality at every stage: fabric sourcing, proto samples, fittings and final sign-off. Sitting at the centre of the product team, you will work closely with Design, Technical Design, Merchandising and Production as the person who knows exactly where every style stands and what it needs next.The successful candidate will be a hands-on senior product developer with experience managing one or two junior team members, specialising in premium womenswear, with a strong track record of working with global vendors and factories. A sharp eye for design intent, fabric sourcing and factory capability is essential.
Ideally based in Canada or available to relocate from the US.What You'll Be Doing
Development
Lead seasonal womenswear development across smart and casual wovens, coats, jackets, cut & sew and sweaters from design brief through proto, salesman sample and pre-production approval.
Translate sketches into development samples, including BOMs, construction details, fabric and trim specifications.
Manage the sample process end to end: request, track, review and comment with accuracy and pace.
Own the development calendar across categories, flagging risk early and holding milestones.
Deliver a clean, complete handover to Production, with approved specifications, materials and costings in place.
Materials, Construction & Cost
Partner with Design on fabric and trim selection, bringing technical knowledge of performance fabrics, finishes and bonded or seam-sealed construction.
Work with mills and trim suppliers on development, lab dips, strike-offs and testing to agreed standards.
Obtain initial prices from factories during development, and build and maintain cost sheets that keep each style on course for target margin.
Hand over development costings to Sourcing as the starting point for production price negotiation.
Recommend construction and material alternatives where quality, cost or lead time can be improved, without losing design intent.
Support responsible fabric choices and the testing and compliance that go with them.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Liaise cross-functionally with the Technical Designer on fit, grading and construction, attending fit sessions and relaying comments to vendors.
Work with Merchants to align development with the line plan, price architecture, margin targets and delivery.
Collaborate with Production & Sourcing on vendor allocation, new factory trials, capacity and timelines, so that each style is developed with the most suitable factory from the start.
Communicate daily with overseas vendors, giving clear, consolidated feedback that reduces sample rounds.
Maintain accurate PLM and tracking tools so everyone is working from the same information.
Team Building
Recruit, mentor and develop junior team members, setting a high standard for accuracy and follow-through.
Improve development processes, templates and calendars as the brand grows.
Represent Product Development in seasonal milestone meetings, presenting status, risks and solutions with confidence.
Essential Experience
Educated to degree level in Fashion Design, Product Development or Apparel Production.
A minimum of 7 years of product development experience specialising in premium womenswear.
Proven experience developing multi-category collections including formal and casual wovens, coats, jackets, cut & sew and sweaters from brief to production handover.
Strong knowledge of garment construction, fabric suitability, fit and performance.
Experience working with factories and mills in Asia.
Commercial fluency, including costings and margins balancing design, quality and price.
Confident working with Technical Design and Merchandising, and able to hold a clear point of view with both.
Highly organised, calm under pressure and exacting on detail.
Proficient in PLM systems, Excel and Adobe Illustrator.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
What's On Offer
A competitive salary aligned with experience.
Benefits package including healthcare.
Hybrid working 4 days in the office 1 day from home, based in Toronto.
The opportunity to help shape the next chapter of a Canadian brand.
Additional Requirements
Currently living and working in the US or Canada.
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