PRODUCT DEVELOPER | GLOBAL APPAREL & LIFESTYLE
Location: Port Melbourne, VIC
Salary: $80,000–$90,000 + super
Are you a commercially minded Product Developer who understands that great products need to do more than look good?
We're partnering with a leading global apparel and lifestyle business to recruit a Product Developer who will play a key role in developing, launching and growing its product range across e-commerce and wholesale.
This is a hands-on opportunity for someone who understands the full product lifecycle, from technical development and sampling through to production and launch. A strong understanding of how products perform in an e-commerce and direct-to-consumer environment is particularly important.
About the Brand
Join a globally recognised apparel and lifestyle business with deep roots in surf culture and a strong connection to the boardsports community. Known for its distinctive identity, authentic approach and commitment to creating products that resonate with its customers, the business operates across international markets and brings together creativity, quality and commercial thinking.
Working closely with sales, e-commerce, marketing, international teams and suppliers, you'll take ownership of the technical product development process while contributing ideas that support commercial growth across both wholesale and e-commerce.
What Success Looks Like
Success in this role means developing products that customers want, retailers want to buy and the business can make money from.
You will help the business:
Develop commercially successful products across wholesale and e-commerce.
Ensure the right products are available for the right season.
Identify gaps in the e-commerce range and opportunities for new product development.
Support e-commerce growth through relevant and commercially viable product ranges.
Improve product performance through customer insights and sales analysis.
Maintain healthy margins and meet product cost requirements.
Manage product development efficiently, from sampling through to production.
Deliver seasonal ranges and product launches on time and to a high standard.
If you're a commercially minded Product Developer who wants genuine ownership of the technical development process and the opportunity to influence the product range, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply now or contact the WITZ team for a confidential discussion.
Interested? Email your CV to Juliana@whointhezoo.com.au or apply via the link for a confidential discussion in the new year.
*Only suitable candidates will be contacted in relation to their application.
Hiring Consultant: Juliana
Job Code: 1703673
Please note that only those applicants who fit the brief will be contacted in relation to their application.
RESPONSIBILITIES +
Product Development
- Manage products from concept through sampling, development, production and launch.
- Create and maintain technical packs, product specifications and garment details.
- Coordinate samples, fit approvals, revisions and product approvals throughout the development process.
- Work directly with suppliers and manufacturers to ensure products meet quality, design and cost requirements.
- Contribute to seasonal range planning and product development across wholesale and e-commerce.
- Use sales performance, customer feedback and market insights to identify opportunities for new products and improvements to existing styles.
- Manage development timelines and collaborate with internal teams and international stakeholders to ensure products are delivered to schedule. E-Commerce E-commerce is a major focus of this role.
- Work closely with the e-commerce team to understand online product performance and identify gaps within the existing range.
- Identify opportunities to develop new products and strengthen the direct-to-consumer offering.
- Collaborate with e-commerce and marketing teams on product launches, campaigns and product presentation.
- Contribute to product descriptions, specifications, pricing and online merchandising in collaboration with the relevant teams.
- Analyse online sales, conversion and customer behaviour to identify opportunities for growth.
- Use e-commerce data and customer feedback to influence future product development.
- Recommend ways to improve the product assortment and support online sales performance. Wholesale
- Work closely with sales and wholesale teams to understand retailer requirements and market opportunities.
- Contribute to wholesale range planning, product presentations and seasonal launches.
- Ensure product development considers the needs of both wholesale customers and direct-to-consumer customers.
- Monitor product performance and identify opportunities for growth.
- Use retailer feedback and market insights to influence product development.
- Consider commercial requirements, costing and margins throughout the development process. Market & Commercial
- Monitor competitors, market trends and customer behaviour to identify new product opportunities.
- Identify gaps in the existing range and recommend commercially viable products.
- Analyse wholesale and e-commerce sales performance to inform future product development.
- Identify high-performing and underperforming products and recommend opportunities for improvement.
- Contribute to costing, pricing, margin considerations and seasonal range planning.
- Collaborate with the e-commerce buying team on forecasting and initial order quantities.
- Balance brand positioning, customer demand and commercial performance when developing products.
REQUIREMENTS +
We're looking for someone with solid product development experience, strong technical capabilities and a good understanding of e-commerce. Ideally, you will have:
- 2–5 years' product development experience, preferably within apparel, fashion or lifestyle.
- Hands-on experience creating tech packs and managing product specifications.
- Experience coordinating samples, fit approvals, revisions and product development timelines.
- Experience working with manufacturers and suppliers.
- A strong understanding of garment construction, sampling and production.
- An understanding of e-commerce and direct-to-consumer retail.
- Experience using sales data, customer feedback and market insights to identify product opportunities.
- Commercial awareness of costing, pricing, margins and product profitability.
- Strong organisational and project management skills.
- A good eye for product, design and brand presentation.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- A proactive, hands-on approach with the ability to take ownership and contribute new ideas.
Experience in surf, boardsports, fishing, outdoor or performance apparel would be advantageous.