Senior Garment Technician | Apparel Product Developer

UMENCO is currently seeking a Senior Garment Technician | Apparel Product Developer for a wholesale lifestyle brand encompassing an array of labels who are inspired by the essence of travel and discovery.

This hybrid leadership role reports to the Creative Director and is responsible for overseeing the full product development lifecycle from concept to bulk production, ensuring a strong focus on quality, innovation and fit. as the Senior Garment Technician | Apparel Product Developer, the successful talent will play a dual role that blends advanced technical expertise in garment construction with creative and commercial product development. The Senior Garment Technician | Apparel Product Developer will lead the department, mentor junior teams members and work cross-functionally with Design, Production, Merchandising and Sales to drive both aesthetic and technical excellence in collections.

As the Apparel Product Developer, the successful talent will be responsible for delivering commercially viable collections that meet market demands and company profit goals. They will manage all stages of the product lifestyle – from trend research and concept development to sample approvals and final production. This includes creating seasonal range plans, CAD’s, packaging concepts and maintaining a tight alignment with the critical path. The Apparel Product Developer will also lead raw material research, identify opportunities for functional improvements and incorporate industry best practices. A key aspect of this role includes participating in post-seasonal analysis to optimise future development.

From sourcing and production standpoint, the Apparel Product Developer’s responsibilities will include managing international supplier communications and ensuring timely approvals of samples, lab tests and bulk productions. They will resolve issues related to fit, quality and construction, ensuring product integrity is upheld across all styles. Close collaboration with offshore suppliers and internal teams is essential to maintain the production timeline and ensure launch deadlines are met. This role may involve international travel to support these processes effectively.

As the Senior Garment Technician, the successful talent will establish and maintain all technical standards and construction protocols across product classes and suppliers. The successful talent will create approve detailed tech packs, manage the end-to-end quality control process and lead fit sessions. The Senior Garment Technician will be responsibilities also include advising design teams on technical matters, standardising fit criteria and ensuring garments meet high standards for construction, longevity and performance.

The successful talent will possess exceptional design capabilities, strong technical knowledge and advanced garment construction skills. High proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Office as well excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential. A proactive and motivated mindset is essential, along with a high level of organisation, attention to detail and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment. Strong interpersonal skills, rapport-building ability and resilience are key to success in this role. The talent should have a relevant tertiary qualification in fashion design, pattern-making or a related field and minimum of 5 years experience in a similar role.