Senior Product Development Manager

Lever Style is the world’s premier apparel production platform for premium labels such as Hugo Boss, Paul Smith, and Amie Leon Dore, outdoor/activewear brands such as Arc’teryx, Vuori and J Lindeberg, and e-commerce pioneers such as Bonobos, Stitch Fix and Mizzen + Main. Our innovative, high mix-low volume solution reduces excess inventory and stockouts, and offers unparalleled product expertise. Listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (stock code 1346), our versatile approach is rooted in decades of technical expertise gained from working with many of the world’s top brands.

Our one-stop shop solution allows our clients to focus on what they do best: branding, marketing, and distribution. Behind the scenes we deliver versatility on any product type that a designer can dream of. We enable our clients to consolidate their vendor base, reduce production complexity, overheads, and management headaches.

This role is based in Shenzhen office (with daily shuttle commuting from/to Hong Kong), and support the design and development of seasonal and/or capsule collection for contemporary premium fashion brands and outdoor activewear brands that Lever Style services in the US and European markets.

Responsibilities:

1. Understand the vision and long-term strategy set by Head of PD & MD, implement this in day-to-day design work and customer projects.

2. Lead a team of fashion and graphic designers in creating seasonal or capsule collections to present to different customers showcasing future market trends and new fabric/trims and design innovation.

3. Research seasonal themes and inspiration led by Head of PD & MD across print, pattern and color trend direction – constantly staying up to date on what is happening in the market relevant to our customers.

4. Understanding each customers’ brand identity and aesthetic, train design team to have the same understanding with taste level.

5. Ability to translate said research and brand understanding into commercial product for brand customers.

6. Producing trend reports and presenting back to by Head of PD & MD, PD team, MD team, merchandising team and brand customer.

7. Lead the design process by controlling the workload and structuring the daily activities within the design team,

8. Manage and own the overall product development process from planning to sample completion in line with the seasonal PD calendar.

9. Manage the team with a hands-on mentality – providing frequent input, direction and guidance on the day-to-day development process. Train and develop the team to improve their technical skill sets.

10. Constant and thorough communication across different departments and with brand customers.

11. Collaboration with garment technical team for best solution on production and craftsmanship of the products.

12. Partner with the MD team to source innovative fabrics and trims.

13. Awareness to cost engineering and maintaining a competitive cost for the customers when needed.

14. Build and maintain relationships with key strategic business partners, suppliers and fabric mills.

15. Provide leadership and mentoring to staff, setting goals and providing feedback, elevating both individual and team productivity.

16. Oversee maintenance of samples, design area and show room in office.

17. Coordinating set up presentations for customer meetings (e.g., preparation of boards, setting up showroom, executing sampling, etc.).

The information provided will be treated in strict confidence and be used only for consideration of your application for relevant / similar posts within the Group/ Company.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Bachelor’s degree holder in Fashion Design or Product Development related field

2. 10 years relevant experience in Design & PD for apparel (variety of product categories a plus, e.g. sweater, performance knits, woven, cut & sewn knits, etc.)

3. Exposure and experience working with the US and European market.

4. Excellent market knowledge and trend awareness with an elevated taste level – ability to translate this to commercial products appropriate for specific customers.

5. Elevated understanding of fabrication and trims.

6. Creative and skilled in fashion design.

7. Excellent understanding and use of color theory.

8. Very organized with excellent communication skills – able to collaborate with multiple departments to achieve company objectives.

9. Enthusiastic and ambitious team player who is proactive in problem solving.

10. Able to work well under pressure and manage tight timelines.

11. Proficient in design tools such as Sketch, Figma, Solidworks, Rhino, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar, MS office applications.

12. General to advanced understanding of garment construction and specs.

13. Excellent written and spoken English.