This is a great opportunity to join an established supplier and a growing business that continues to go from strength to strength. We are seeking an experienced professional to lead and oversee the end-to-end technical product development of sweaters and knitwear, ensuring products are developed right first time, are technically feasible, cost-effective, and fully compliant with customer requirements.
The role is responsible for driving early-stage technical decision-making, risk assessment, and data accuracy to minimise rework, reduce sample iterations, and ensure a smooth transition from product development into bulk production.
This is a full-time, on-site position based in Leicestershire.
Technical Manager - Product Development
Key Responsibilities
- Lead technical development from tech-pack review through swatch, trial, fit, PPS, and bulk handover
- Conduct all technical meetings including tech-pack review, risk assessment, and trial reviews.
- Ensure development decisions are documented, communicated, and implemented accurately.
- Own and govern PDRA / Risk Assessment processes.
- Ensure risks related to product safety, yarn, construction, fit, testing, production feasibility, machinery, and attachments are identified and closed.
- Escalate high-complexity styles for customer or external risk reviews when required.
- Act as the technical authority on: Yarn properties and behaviour, Gauge and stitch structures, Knit-downs, tension, shrinkage, and dimensional stability, Linking, assembly, and finishing impacts.
- Ensure all developments are scalable and production-feasible.
- Lead all fit sessions and technical approvals.
- Approve proto, fit, size set, and PPS samples.
- Ensure fit, construction, comfort, and aesthetics meet customer standards.
- Ensure 100% accuracy of technical data including measurements, grading, SMV, yarn consumption, and risk records.
- Maintain version control and timely updates in PLM / Caspio / customer portals.
- Ensure no style moves to the next milestone without validated technical data.
- Work closely with Programming (Shima / Stoll), QA, IE, Merchandising, SCM, Lab, and Operations.
- Align technical decisions with costing, capacity, and delivery requirements.
- Support buyers and customers with clear technical communication.
- Lead, coach, and mentor the PD technical team.
- Conduct performance monitoring, coaching, and annual appraisals.
- Build technical capability and second-line leadership within PD.
- Ensure product quality, testing compliance, and technical safety standards are met.
- Maintain 5S, housekeeping, and workplace safety standards.
- Investigate technical root causes for customer complaints and prevent recurrence.
Technical Manager - Product Development - The person
- Bachelor’s Degree in Textile Engineering or related discipline.
- Minimum 10 years in sweater/knitwear manufacturing.
- Strong background in product development and technical leadership.
- Experience managing multi-disciplinary technical teams
- Knitwear construction and development expertise.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
- High attention to detail and data discipline.
- Ability to lead under pressure
If this sounds like a great fit for you, please send over your CV to Nic - n.adcock-staniforth@peoplemarketing.co.uk
We regret that due to the high amount of interest that we receive for each of our vacancies, if you do not hear from one of our consultants within 5 days then unfortunately you have not been shortlisted for this role. Please continue to check our website for any other roles which may be of interest.