Job Description
Established in 1981 with a single store in the Northwest of England, the JD Group is a leading omni-channel retailer of Sports Fashion, Outdoors and Gyms with our colleagues working in stores across several retail fascias in many markets around the world.
JD Sports Fashion Plc was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1996 and has been a FTSE100 publicly quoted company since 2019 and continues to grow in the UK and internationally.
We want to be the leading global omnichannel retailer in the sports and outdoor industry. To be a part of this successful company and help us to achieve this you will have the desire to ingrain our strategic goals of being a people-led, innovative and customer-focused organisation which provides operational excellence whilst identifying new areas of growth as part of our day to day objectives.
Product Developer - Outdoors
Responsible to: Senior Product Developer
Department: Outdoors Product Development
Hours: 40 Hours
Location: Bury HQ
As a branded and own-brand business, we take pride in offering the best outdoor ranges, featuring the latest and most exclusive products across our Outdoor fascias. Our Design and Development team works closely with Buying, Merchandising, and suppliers to create world-class, exclusive outdoor clothing and accessories.
The Product Developer will play a key role in supporting the development of our own-brand outdoor clothing and accessories across Menswear/ Womenswear & Childrenswear. This position involves assisting the development team with both administration and product development tasks, ensuring that all products are fit for purpose, meet quality standards, and align with margin requirements. Ultimately, this role helps equip our consumers for life outdoors by delivering innovative, high-quality products that reflect our commitment to excellence.
Key Responsibilities
• Work alongside the Senior Product Developer to ensure that factories follow company supplier guidelines and product is developed to the critical path.
• Working on the development of a wide range of product across knitted & woven categories, including producing all BOMs and sample comments.
• Working across the development team to comment on samples across numerous brands (including many outdoor activities).
• To inspect & measure garments under the guidance of the senior developer, approving each stage of development.
• PLM – a key contact for PLM input within the development team, helping to ensure PLM is up to date and accurate each season.
• Work on new ranges and brands with the team, setting up BOMS and size charts.
• Document comments made during meetings, including design sign off and fit sessions. Ensuring that notes are accurate so that technical packs / fit comments can be sent to suppliers & factories in a timely manner.
• Manage and approve fabric testing & care label development with the Suppliers.
• Ensure product compliance is in line with relevant legislation.
• Ensure factories follow company supplier guidelines.
• Inspect and report to factories on carry over products to ensure consistency and quality level of products are maintained.
• Approve AQLs and gold seal samples.
• Work on seasonal product launches, including helping to dress the own brand area and support the team during the launch.
• Collate critical paths from all suppliers and maintain admin responsibilities for this.
• Warehouse and store visits to review bulk and retail visits for competitor reviews.
Skills & Experience
• Strong interest in product development and the outdoor apparel industry.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in administrative tasks.
• Good communication skills for effective collaboration with internal teams and external suppliers.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); experience with PLM systems is an advantage.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing priorities.
• Previous experience of Waterproof garments is an advantage.
Personal Attributes
• Passionate about outdoor products and consumer needs.
• Proactive and eager to learn within a dynamic team environment.
• Collaborative mindset with a willingness to support across functions.
• Commercial awareness and understanding of margin considerations.
We know our colleagues work tirelessly to make JD Sports the success it is today and in turn, we offer them some amazing benefits including staff Discount On JD Group and other brands within the organisation and personal development opportunities to learn and develop at work.
Thank you for your time
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