Product Developer – Workwear NEW

Four Squared Recruitment Ltd
Product Developer/Garment Technologist – Workwear
Location: Worcester
Permanent, Full Time
Hours: Monday-Friday, 37.5 hours per week
Hybrid: 1 day per week working from home/flexible hours
Salary: £(phone number removed)K

About the Role
My client designs and manufactures high-visibility, protective clothing for industries like rail, construction, and infrastructure and is seeking an experienced Product Developer (3+ years in Product Development), with strong technical expertise in protective workwear, capable of managing complex product development independently.

You will play a key role in developing high-performance protective garments across hi-visibility, Flame Retardant (FR), and Electric ARC categories, taking responsibility for products from concept through to bulk production, certification, and launch.

Key Responsibilities

Product Research & Innovation

• Conduct market research to identify emerging trends, innovative materials, and opportunities for product differentiation within the hi-visibility and protective workwear market, both within and outside the sector.
• Research and source new fabrics, working closely with mills to ensure materials are fit for purpose, meet required safety standards, and deliver improvements in performance, sustainability, and cost effectiveness.
• Work closely with third-party testing houses to define, manage, and complete all required testing and garment certification.
• Research and evaluate fabric treatments where required.
• Review and analyse cost prices to ensure new and existing products meet company margin requirements.
• Identify technical risks during development and proactively implement solutions to ensure compliance, performance, and on-time delivery.

Product Documentation & Specification

• Create and manage Bills of Materials (BOMs) and detailed garment specification technical files and workbooks, ensuring clarity and accuracy for factory partners and certification bodies.
• Produce and maintain Range Plans for internal planning and communication.
• Build, maintain, and submit all required technical files, including test reports, certification documentation, and label information (care labels, UIS labels, etc.).
• Manage the sampling process, including fabric and component testing.
• Plan and run garment fit sessions across multiple product ranges, documenting outcomes and providing clear, actionable feedback to factories.
• Review and approve pre-production (PP) samples, including assessment of bulk fabrics and trims.
• Take full responsibility for one of PULSAR ‘s product collections, overseeing development from design handover or redesign of existing products through to bulk production, ensuring products are fit for purpose, compliant, and delivered within the agreed critical path.
• Analyse sales data to inform new product development, ensuring products are commercially viable in terms of cost, margin, and lead time.
• Keep the Product Development Manager updated on development progress, including certification, testing, sampling, critical path status, and factory issues.
• Ensure critical paths provided by the Head of Product, Ethics, Compliance & Sustainability are maintained to achieve timely product delivery.

Standards & Compliance

• Ensure all products meet relevant industry standards including EN ISO:20471, RIS 3279 TOM, EN:343, ISO:13688, and additional applicable standards where required.
• Work proactively with suppliers and testing partners to maintain compliance throughout development and post-launch.
• Monitor changes in industry standards and regulations, assessing their impact on existing and future products.

Supply Chain & Factory Collaboration

• Support sourcing and resourcing activities to identify and qualify new factory partners.
• Maintain clear, effective communication with factories to resolve technical queries, support sample development, and ensure manufacturing accuracy.
• Work with external trim suppliers on new trim development and innovation.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Ensure Sales, Marketing, and Operations teams have accurate and up-to-date product information to support commercial activities.
• Provide technical support to Marketing and ensure information is delivered in line with product launch plans.
• Support product presentations, sales meetings, and internal product sign-off.
• Provide ad hoc support to the Product Development team as required.

Skills & Experience

• Degree in Fashion Design, Textiles, or Product Development (advantageous).
• Proven experience developing protective workwear, including hi-visibility, FR, electric ARC, or high-performance garments.
• Strong understanding of EN standards, GRS certification, design assessments, and technical file submission for certification.
• Knowledge of textile performance, fabric and trim testing for protective wear.
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Adobe Illustrator for garment flat CADs.
• Quality control experience, including garment measurement, sizing, and size chart creation.
• Strong interest in sustainability, including fabrics, circularity, end-of-life considerations, and digital product passports.
• Experience working with global supply chains, including Asia, Africa, China and Europe.
• Comfortable working in a regulated, compliance-driven product environment.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to liaise confidently with global suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple projects and critical paths to meet deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail with a proactive approach to process improvement and cost efficiencies.
• Ability to balance technical performance, commercial requirements, and development timelines.

Benefits:
25 days holiday (plus an additional 5 days after 10 years’ service)
Company pension scheme
Free onsite parking

If you wish to be considered for the role, please contact Joanne Harris on (phone number removed) or email your cv to (url removed)