Vacancies

Product Developer

Product Developer 

Salary: £35,000 - £40,000 depending on experience, plus benefits  

Hours per week: 37.5 

Location: Manchester city centre – hybrid working between office and home. Check out our Manchester office - Fourways | Manchester (fourwaysmcr.co.uk) 

As a Product Developer, you’ll be responsible for managing the product development process from design handover through to production, for both SUDU apparel and apparel designed for our partners, many of whom are huge brands in the sports and entertainment industry.  

You’ll play a key role in delivering high-quality, technical, and non-technical product, using your expertise to support the creation of innovative collections. 

You’ll report to our Head of Product Development and partner closely with our Design and Buying teams to ensure products are developed in line with seasonal strategies, commercial targets, and brand expectations. With real ownership across your categories, you’ll drive consistency in fit, construction, and quality while contributing to continuous improvement across the product development process. 

What you’ll do: 

• Manage the development of styles for assigned categories from design handover through to production, in line with Critical Path timeline
• Collaborate with our Design team to interpret concepts and translate them into viable products
• Lead fit sessions and prototype reviews, troubleshooting design, quality and construction challenges and ensuring clear and concise communication of fit and construction amendments to internal teams and external partners
• Own garment execution, ensuring compliance with measurements, quality, construction, fit, and consistency in line with Levy Merchandising and partner brand standards
• Develop technical product specifications, including tech packs, Bills of Materials (BOMs) and size charts, ensuring all technical documentation is completed and accurately maintained within internal systems 
• Provide input into construction methods and recommend improvements to enhance product performance, quality, and cost efficiency
• Work closely with vendors and manufacturers to source materials and trims and ensure quality standards are met
• Ensure all products meet required safety, regulatory, and sustainability standards
• Maintain accurate and thorough documentation across all stages of development, including samples, specifications, and communications
• Track development progress, proactively identifying risks, and implementing solutions to minimise delays
• Contribute to continuous improvement of product standards, processes, and best practices across all categories
• Stay updated on industry standards and new technologies to ensure compliance and drive innovation

What you’ll need: 

• Relevant qualification or experience in apparel, garment technology, or product development
• Proven experience in a product development role, ideally with experience gained working for a large reputable brand 
• Strong technical knowledge of garment construction, fit, materials, and manufacturing processes
• Experience managing product development timelines and critical paths within a fast-paced environment
• Understanding of sustainability practices, product compliance, and regulatory standards
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Microsoft packages 
• Strong experience in developing detailed tech packs and managing relationships with global suppliers
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate technical information
• Commercial awareness, with the ability to identify risk and propose solutions
• A proactive problem-solver with attention to detail, who can remain flexible and agile when priorities shift
• Flexibility to undertake domestic and international travel to supplier locations as business needs require

Why Levy Merchandising? 

Levy Merchandising is the merchandising arm of Levy UK & Ireland. Levy UK & Ireland are a market leader in the world of sports and entertainment experiences, boasting some of the biggest and best stadiums and leisure locations in Europe as its venue partners. Levy is part of FTSE 100 company and global leader in food services, Compass Group PLC.  

At Levy Merchandising, we design and manufacture a wide range of product direct from source. From technical products, fit for the highest level of performance, through to non-technical fanwear, we produce apparel at all levels of the product pyramid. We also source a comprehensive range of non-clothing products to complete the full range of categories available across the sales channels. 

We’re proud to do things differently. We have an innovative commercial model which puts our partners first and makes decision making a joint responsibility. Building long lasting, sustainable relationships is central to our ethos and we want our partners to retain independence and control on key strategic direction whilst being able to leverage the benefit, scale, and expertise of our central teams across Buying, Licensing, E-Commerce, and Retail Operations. 

We’re also committed to supporting the local communities where our factories are based. We work with charities and local outreach programmes to have a positive impact in the cities and towns where we do business. 

SUDU is our UK sportswear brand headquartered in Manchester. With aspirations to be a leading brand that not only equips individuals with the tools they need to excel in physical pursuits but also to empower mindsets with every motion, we offer a range of apparel and footwear products across 4 categories – Run, Play, Train and Rest. 

You’ll also get a package that includes: 

• competitive salary that recognises your skills and experience 
• 31 days holiday including bank holidays (rising with service) 
• contributory employer pension scheme
• colleague health cash plan to keep you feeling your best
• life assurance cover of 4 x annual salary 
• employee assistance programme– 24/7 confidential access to expert services including virtual GP, counselling, wellbeing support, and independent legal and financial advice
• access to high street cashback and discounts 
• discounts on SUDU and other Levy Merchandising products and services 
• enhanced family leave and pay
• welcoming company culture and opportunities to develop as our business grows
• twice-yearly colleague events, payday socials and loads of exciting activities in between 

Building an inclusive work environment