Product Developer, Jersey & Swim

INTRODUCTION

At Burberry, we believe creativity opens spaces. Our purpose is to unlock the power of imagination to push boundaries and open new possibilities for our people, our customers and our communities. This is the core belief that has guided Burberry since it was founded in 1856 and is central to how we operate as a company today.   

We aim to provide an environment for creative minds from different backgrounds to thrive, bringing a wide range of skills and experiences to everything we do. As a purposeful, values-driven brand, we are committed to being a force for good in the world as well, creating the next generation of sustainable luxury for customers, driving industry change and championing our communities. 

JOB PURPOSE

The core purpose of the Product Developer, Jersey & Swim role is to expertly manage the complete product lifecycle within the Jersey category, from initial concept through to production. This role embodies the bridge between visionary design and practical execution, ensuring innovative ideas are transformed into commercially viable, technically feasible products. The role demands collaborative engagement with internal teams and external partners, nurturing a dynamic environment where creativity and precision converge to uphold Burberry's esteemed standards.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Forge and sustain strategic partnerships with Design and Graphics teams, acting as a vital technical consultant to ensure alignment between creative intent and product feasibility through all development stages.
• Develop and maintain robust vendor relationships, understanding manufacturing capacities and capabilities to negotiate effectively for cost efficiency without compromising design integrity.
• Lead and drive the critical path management from concept ideation to pre-production, overseeing timelines rigorously and swiftly resolving challenges to maintain delivery schedules.
• Ensure all prototypes and samples meet Burberry's stringent quality, cost, and timeline requirements, facilitating seamless transition into production while safeguarding target margins.
• Monitor and guarantee product functionality, consistency, and fitness for purpose, conducting ongoing risk assessments and implementing mitigation strategies throughout development.
• Collaborate intensively with Product Engineering to validate product testing standards, harmonizing technical and aesthetic considerations for optimal product outcomes.
• Support production readiness by attending vendor meetings, managing technical specifications, and preparing samples for smooth manufacturing handover.
• Mentor and guide Product Development Assistants, fostering skill development and reinforcing best practices within the team.
• Maintain impeccable accuracy of all product data in PLM systems, ensuring up-to-date and comprehensive records that support operational excellence.

PERSONAL PROFILE

• Demonstrated aptitude in interpreting and translating senior design visions into tangible product specifications, effectively liaising between creative and production teams.
• Advanced technical knowledge of garment and fabric construction specific to jersey fabrics, coupled with expertise in printing, embroidery, washes, and garment dye processes.
• Proven experience in managing vendor partnerships with a track record of delivering clear, concise briefs and leveraging vendor capabilities to meet design and production demands.
• Strong critical path management skills, with a proactive approach to identifying potential risks, troubleshooting, and implementing solutions to ensure timely delivery of collections.
• Commercially astute with the ability to balance creative ambitions with cost and budget considerations, ensuring sustainable product development.
• Operational familiarity with factory environments, including hands-on experience working on-site with manufacturing teams, enabling an informed and pragmatic development process.
• Exceptional interpersonal and negotiation abilities, capable of influencing cross-functional teams and external stakeholders to foster collaborative success.
• Deep understanding of current fashion trends, market dynamics, luxury consumer behaviour, and competitive landscape within the jersey and swimwear sector.
• Proficiency in industry-relevant software including PLM platforms, Excel for data analysis, and InDesign for technical documentation and presentations.

FOOTER

Burberry is an Equal Opportunities Employer and as such, treats all applications equally and recruits purely on the basis of skills and experience.

Posting Notes: United Kingdom || Not Applicable || London || PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT || READY TO WEAR - CORE || n/a ||