Castore Manchester, England, United Kingdom
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Castore exists for one single reason – to make athletes better. Our ethos is built upon the philosophy of BETTER NEVER STOPS, an ideal deeply infused in our DNA and something we strive to live every single day. We utilise advanced engineering and unique technical fabrics to create the highest quality sportswear in the world for athletes who demand the very best. Designed with a passion for innovation with specialist features to help optimise athletic performance in all conditions.
The founders’ vision is to build Castore into a brand respected across the globe for a deep and unrelenting commitment to engineering the highest quality sportswear in the world, with no stone left unturned in its search for innovation and performance enhancement. The sportswear market has been dominated by a small clique of mass‑market brands and the vision is for Castore to be a premium alternative to these, the natural brand of choice for discerning athletes who demand the very best.
Role
The Role
Accountable for the development of seasonally relevant in‑line and SMU apparel collections which are aligned to the commercial brief and the product line‑plan.
Understands and adheres to key dates and gates so that orders can be placed on‑time and according to the seasonal calendar.
Independently manages the Development function for collections as determined by the Category management and Head of Product development.
Responsibilities
* Responsible for developing products from initial tech pack stage through to final bulk production buy‑ready, ensuring quality, fit, testing and line‑plan price targets are met for allocated ranges and that of the team so that the product is fit for purpose.
* Ensures day‑to‑day work and any projects are fairly distributed between direct reports to ensure key stage activities and critical path deadlines achieved on time.
* Own and oversee all Critical path dates to ensure all milestones are completed in a timely manner, with all stages and delivery requirements met on time and in full.
* Manages on time seasonal price negotiations across product area in line with target prices and margins, guiding more junior members of staff in this process.
* Oversee all aspects of the product, maximising garment efficiency through garment engineering to ensure that the product is both technically sound and cost effective.
* Complete awareness of margin YOY figures against goals set. Understands and leverages open cost sheets to enable this.
* Manages the successful completion of delivery priorities within the team to critical path, identifies potential challenges/delays and raise awareness immediately with Head of PD.
* Manages the successful completion of priorities across the development team including an accurate line list completion and toolbox accuracy.
* Provides the wider team and creative business units with engineering solutions to maximise efficiency both technically and from a cost perspective.
* Maintains involvement with the designers, category management and technical assurance team to ensure the most appropriate selection of fabrics.
* Ensure all tech packs are accurate and contain the information necessary for ease of understanding by factories.
* Oversee the details are to be added to the tech pack, graded and point of measures diagrams correct and updated at all times, ensuring a smooth process so that measurements are clear at all stages including development/ proto, SMS/ presentation, size sets if requested, Pre‑production samples, shipment samples and AQL inspection.
Skills & Experience
* Minimum of 5 years’ experience within a product development or garment tech role
* Bachelor’s degree, preferably in textile/fashion.
* Consumer‑focused with deep product and range understanding.
* People management skills essential with proven record of people management.
* Extensive involvement and understanding of Far East supply base operations.
* Experienced in price negotiation.
* Ability to work cross‑functionally, liaising with peer groups across the business to drive efficiencies and results.
* Ability to work within strict deadlines and able to be adaptive to changes.
* Comfortable in a fast‑paced and ever‑changing business environment.
* Excellent planning and organisation skills.
* Flexible approach and willingness to further learn & adapt in a fast pace growing business.
* Advanced user of MS Office suite of products.
Personal Qualities
* Excellent attention to detail & a natural problem solver.
* Organisation, planning, able to juggle multiple projects at once.
* Excellent collaboration and communication skills.
* Excellent presentation skills at all levels both internally and externally.
* Able to make decisions on work issues that impact the successful completion of tasks.
* Ability to analyse data and trends and use as a basis to solve problems
* Confidence in own ability to challenge current ways of working, whilst delivering recommendations for improved process.
* Be a team player.
* Be results driven.
* Share our ambitious outlook.
* Ability to travel and work effectively across multiple cultures as and when required.
* Have a Better Never Stops Attitude.
What We Offer
* Competitive salary
* Discretionary bonus scheme
* 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
* Modern city centre offices in Manchester
* An opportunity to work with global sporting partners
* Office breakout space with pool tables, dart board and TV’s
* A chance to build a career with a fast paced, high growth brand
* Employee assistance programme
* Generous staff discount
Seniority level
Mid‑Senior level
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Product Management and Marketing
Industries
Sporting Goods Manufacturing
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