Product Manager

Conner Ives Ltd is seeking a Product Manager to join our team. This is a full time position based in our studio in N15, London, and will oversee the full product lifecycle from concept through to delivery. 

Ensure all your application information is up to date and in order before applying for this opportunity.

General

• Oversee the Development and Production of 2 seasons annually, as well as capsules, exclusives and bespoke projects.
• Build and manage the annual critical path, ensuring milestones and deadlines are met throughout each season and project.
• Oversee the management, training and development of two direct reports; a Product Development Assistant and a Junior Production Coordinator.
• Support with the recruitment and training of interns for the Product Team.
• Manage the pattern archive, ensuring graded patterns are organised and stored digitally at the end of each season.
• Build and improve processes across the department, ensuring clear documentation is in place for the wider team.
• Regularly visit factories in the UK, and overseas as required.
• Responsible for all product related stock in the studio: raw materials, samples, patterns, equipment. Maintain a high level of organisation at all times.

Development

• Work closely with the Creative Director to ensure designs and concepts are developed to the highest standards of quality and sustainability.
• Source and order all raw materials for the collections, including fabrics, trims and deadstock vintage.
• Liaise with print designers, embroidery designers and other freelancers, to ensure collection elements are developed on time and in line with budget.
• Work closely with the Product Development Assistant on the creation of tech packs and BOMs, ensuring high levels of accuracy and consistency are maintained.
• Manage factory allocations, ensuring sufficient capacity is booked at the beginning of each season.
• Oversee collection pricing, ensuring BOMs and ratings are accurate in Zedonk at all times.
• Manage the development budget, processing invoices and tracking against expected costs.
• Responsible for prototype and SMS deliveries, communicating clearly on any delays or issues with the samples ahead of fitting or delivery.
• Manage the in-house atelier schedule, ensuring machinists and freelance pattern cutters are booked as needed, and working as efficiently as possible.
• Build strong relationships with manufacturers and suppliers, acting as the main point of contact for all product related communications.
• Lead fittings throughout the season, ensuring clear comments are communicated back to factories / pattern cutters according to the critical path.
• Work on margin improvements as defined with the Managing Director, negotiating prices as required.

Production

• Create and manage the seasonal production budget, ensuring cost efficiencies can be found where possible.
• Place all seasonal factory and material production orders, ensuring on time deliveries according to the critical path. 
• Liaise closely with the Managing Director and Sales Agents to ensure MOQs and delivery targets are workable for all styles in the collection.
• Manage the PPS approval process, in line with critical path and quality expectations.
• Oversee production quality control, either using in house resources or external agencies.
• Work closely with the Junior Production Coordinator to ensure accuracy of information used in care labels, and handed over to sales for pre-class documentation.
• Maintain the production manual, ensuring new suppliers are onboarded appropriately and understand the brand’s quality standards.
• Produce weekly production reports to be shared with the wider team, highlighting any delays, issues or changes in scheduled deliveries.
• Work closely with the Managing Director to analyse the Production Budget at the end of season, to calculate the final product margin.
• Support with the implementation of Digital Product Passports, when required.

Required Skills

• Minimum 7 years experience working in Luxury Fashion Development and Production.
• Experience managing a junior team.
• Bachelor's degree in fashion design, fashion production or equivalent.
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail.
• Proficient in Zedonk or similar ERP software.
• Strong knowledge of garment technology is essential.
• Strong knowledge of Excel / google sheets.
• Proficient English speaker, additional languages are a plus.
• Interested in sustainability and upcycling. xwzovoh

Applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK. Visa sponsorship will not be available for this role.