Junior Product Developer

Junior Product Developer - Menswear

REPORTS TO: Senior TPD Menswear

LOCATION: London

ROLE OVERVIEW:

To provide support to the Menswear Senior Technical Product Developer on all product categories. To deliver product that follows the TOAST ethos of simplicity, originality, creativity and thoughtfulness. To liaise daily with the Product Developers, Designers and Production Department, as well as factories, to support the timely delivery of product in line with the critical path. To embrace the company values and consistently communicate in a positive and collaborative manner. Responsible for developing part of the collection with the support of Senior TPD, To produce technically correct product, from sketch through to shipment sample, that represents the vision of the Design Team, meets the TOAST quality/fit and achieves the company target margin. To liaise daily with the Design, Production and Merchandise Departments, as well as supply base, to ensure product is delivered in line with the critical path.

ROLE IN DETAIL:

To assist the Menswear Senior TPD as below:

• Setting up, logging, tracking, chasing in samples for all stages of the development process including carryover.
• Parcels in/out Prep for fits, Steaming and measuring all samples.
• Taking all notes for the Technical Product Developers during fit sessions, adding fit photos to the specs and ensuring they are saved & filed accurately.
• Collating and preparing all proto’s in a timely manner to ensure effective running of the fit sessions and review meetings.
• Adding carryover styles to WFX for your area Check, measure and approve shipment samples, ensuring all fabrics trims and measurements are correct before shipping.
• Logging photo’s into the workbook to ensure full history. Ensure shipment samples are approved timely.
• Support the menswear team to develop technically correct, commercial products that represents the concept & vision of the Design Team in line with the Range Plan & company Business Calendar.
• Working closely with the Design/buying Team to ensure the pricing architecture & target margins set out in the range plan are met, working together on solutions to ensure we meet company budgets.
• Strong critical path management ensuring deadlines are met to meet company requirements.
• Responsible for raising styles on internal systems and maintaining PD specs and trackers, to accurately communicate requirements to Production, Merchandising and supply base where necessary.
• Maintain technical workbooks, to include garment specification sheets, and assess and comment on samples, communicating clearly and concise to external contacts.
• Ensure smooth running of fit process, book models and times bi-monthly for fits.
• Responsible for on time receipt of proto samples and photo samples to a required standard in line with review meetings and shoot deadlines, communicating effectively with all teams.
• Working closely with the supply base to understand their strengths and capabilities, maintaining good & effective working relationships.
• Working closely with the supply base for cost negotiation, cross costings and the resourcing of fabrics, trims and components. Be proactive in establishing improved quality and make standards.
• Liaison with the supply base to send an AQL report on the bulk goods, ensuring any issues are resolved before approval of shipping goods.
• Care label management, ensure all styles have an approved care label, with approved testing, working with the Fabric Developer where appropriate.
• Actioning wear trials and logging results where required.
• Logging all Shoot samples into the business and handing over to the shoot team at the appropriate time. Manage day-to-day workload in a timely manner, in line with company critical path.
• Maintain a customer-focussed approach in understanding of fit and quality issues.
• Input product data into the system for copy writer in line with the company critical path.
• Store visits, to stay close to our product and customer.
• Checking fit, quality of workmanship and understanding our customer.

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS REQUIRED:

• A good understanding of the Toast Brand, its product and design aesthetic.
• Good understanding of the development and design processes.
• 2 years experience within a fashion business preferably in menswear.
• Strong organisational skills with a keen eye for detail.
• Computer proficient (MS Office, Excellent Excel skills) with strong organisational skills.
• Professional, with a collaborative nature.
• An excellent communicator who is able to manage a diverse workload.
• Enthusiastic and dedicated, with a ‘can do attitude.