Product Manager
2 days ago
City of London
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. 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. Applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK. Visa sponsorship will not be available for this role.