Product Development & Production Manager

Overview

We're hiring for a UK-based Product Development & Production Manager with hands-on experience in the end-to-end development and production of lifestyle apparel, ideally within a fashion brand. You'll be responsible for owning the critical path from development to delivery, ensuring on-time, on-brand, and on-budget monthly product drops for this direct-to-consumer fashion brand.

Working closely with the design team, you'll help bring collections to life, collaborating with existing suppliers while sourcing and trialling new suppliers and factories, managing prototypes, tracking samples, and ensuring production aligns with quality, price, and margin expectations.

Please note, visa sponsorship is not an option for this position.

About the Brand

This is an independent UK-based fashion brand with a focus on bold graphics, trend-led styles, and simple silhouettes. Core product includes unisext-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, joggers, and soft accessories, all designed with a strong community voice and sold online and via pop-up experiences.

What You'll be Doing

• Manage the seasonal critical path for development and monthly production drops.
• Track all aspects of the development and production budget.
• Manage existing UK suppliers.
• Source and trial new suppliers/factories, negotiating terms, pricing, MOQs and lead times.
• Allocate styles based on factory capabilities and margin targets.
• Oversee sample development from prototype to production sign-off.
• Collaborate with a freelance garment tech to attend fittings and resolve technical issues.
• Monitor and track raw materials, ensuring timely order placement and delivery in line with the critical path.
• Maintain high production quality standards and troubleshoot proactively.
• Manage daily communication with suppliers to ensure timelines and quality benchmarks are met.
• Ensure all data is kept up to date on internal systems.

About You

• 5-6 years' experience as a Product Development and/or Production Manager in lifestyle or streetwear apparel.
• Full product lifecycle management: from development through to delivery.
• Experienced in managing and sourcing small-volume production partners.
• UK-based with full working rights.
• Strong track record in critical path management.
• Proven ability to optimise margins while maintaining quality and meeting delivery targets.
• Skilled in planning, organisation, time management and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• A naturally numerical mindset.
• Solution-focused.
• Proficient in G-Suite, MS Office, especially Excel.

Additional Info

• This is a permanent office-based role in the Bristol area, easily accessible by car or via Yate railway station.
• Open to freelance or permanent candidates with experience managing product development and production.
• A great fit for someone who thrives in a growing brand and is skilled in managing product priorities.

Perks & Benefits

• Competitive salary (based on experience).
• 28 days holiday (including bank holidays).
• Opportunity to contribute to the growth of an independent brand.

How to Apply

Ready to shape standout collections with impact?

Please submit your CV and a short cover note detailing your relevant experience.