Product Developer - Workwear

Location: Worcestershire

Product Developer/Garment Technologist - Workwear

Location:

Worcester
Permanent, Full Time

Hours:

Monday-Friday, 37.5 hours per week
Hybrid: 1 day per week working from home/flexible hours
Salary: £(phone number removed)
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About the Role
My client designs and manufactures high-visibility, protective clothing for industries like rail, construction, and infrastructure and is seeking an experienced Product Developer (3+ years in Product Development), with strong technical expertise in protective workwear, capable of managing complex product development independently.
 
You will play a key role in developing high-performance protective garments across hi-visibility, Flame Retardant (FR), and Electric ARC categories, taking responsibility for products from concept through to bulk production, certification, and launch.

Key Responsibilities
 
Product Research & Innovation
 
Conduct market research to identify emerging trends, innovative materials, and opportunities for product differentiation within the hi-visibility and protective workwear market, both within and outside the sector.
Research and source new fabrics, working closely with mills to ensure materials are fit for purpose, meet required safety standards, and deliver improvements in performance, sustainability, and cost effectiveness.
Work closely with third-party testing houses to define, manage, and complete all required testing and garment certification.
Research and evaluate fabric treatments where required.
Review and analyse cost prices to ensure new and existing products meet company margin requirements.
Identify technical risks during development and proactively implement solutions to ensure compliance, performance, and on-time delivery.  Product Documentation & Specification
 
Create and manage Bills of Materials (BOMs) and detailed garment specification technical files and workbooks, ensuring clarity and accuracy for factory partners and certification bodies.
Produce and maintain Range Plans for internal planning and communication.
Build, maintain, and submit all required technical files, including test reports, certification documentation, and label information (care labels, UIS labels, etc.).
Manage the sampling process, including fabric and component testing.
Plan and run garment fit sessions across multiple product ranges, documenting outcomes and providing clear, actionable feedback to factories.
Review and approve pre-production (PP) samples, including assessment of bulk fabrics and trims.
Take full responsibility for one of PULSAR®'s product collections, overseeing development from design handover or redesign of existing products through to bulk production, ensuring products are fit for purpose, compliant, and delivered within the agreed critical path.
Analyse sales data to inform new product development, ensuring products are commercially viable in terms of cost, margin, and lead time.
Keep the Product Development Manager updated on development progress, including certification, testing, sampling, critical path status, and factory issues.
Ensure critical paths provided by the Head of Product, Ethics, Compliance & Sustainability are maintained to achieve timely product delivery.  Standards & Compliance
 
Ensure all products meet relevant industry standards including EN ISO:20471, RIS 3279 TOM, EN:343, ISO:13688, and additional applicable standards where required.
Work proactively with suppliers and testing partners to maintain compliance throughout development and post-launch.
Monitor changes in industry standards and regulations, assessing their impact on existing and future products.  Supply Chain & Factory Collaboration
 
Support sourcing and resourcing activities to identify and qualify new factory partners.
Maintain clear, effective communication with factories to resolve technical queries, support sample development, and ensure manufacturing accuracy.
Work with external trim suppliers on new trim development and innovation.  Cross-Functional Collaboration
 
Ensure Sales, Marketing, and Operations teams have accurate and up-to-date product information to support commercial activities.
Provide technical support to Marketing and ensure information is delivered in line with product launch plans.
Support product presentations, sales meetings, and internal product sign-off.
Provide ad hoc support to the Product Development team as required.  Skills & Experience
 
Degree in Fashion Design, Textiles, or Product Development (advantageous).
Proven experience developing protective workwear, including hi-visibility, FR, electric ARC, or high-performance garments.
Strong understanding of EN standards, GRS certification, design assessments, and technical file submission for certification.
Knowledge of textile performance, fabric and trim testing for protective wear.
Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Adobe Illustrator for garment flat CADs.
Quality control experience, including garment measurement, sizing, and size chart creation.
Strong…