Head of Product Development
Industry: Textile & Apparel Manufacturing
Location: Lahore, Pakistan (Near Gajju Mata)
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Work Mode: On-site
Experience: 12–18 Years
We are looking for a seasoned Head of Product Development to oversee the entire product development lifecycle within the textile and apparel sector. The ideal candidate will have extensive hands-on experience in domestic ready-to-wear apparel, including ladies’ and/or men’s eastern and western wear. This role requires strong expertise in garment construction, fit coordination, fabric and trims sourcing, costing, and CMT production operations. The successful candidate will be responsible for translating design concepts into production-ready garments, ensuring product quality, managing development timelines, optimizing material usage, and facilitating seamless coordination between design, sourcing, vendors, and production teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead product development from initial design handover through to production-ready garments.
- Collaborate closely with design teams, pattern makers, and production units to ensure accurate garment construction, fit, measurements, and finishing.
- Review prototypes, fit samples, size sets, pre-production samples, and approve Top of Production (TOP) samples.
- Ensure garment fit, sizing, construction, and workmanship meet established quality standards.
- Prepare and review technical packs, measurement charts, material specifications, and Bills of Materials (BOMs).
- Manage product development schedules to ensure timely completion of seasonal collections.
- Source fabrics, trims, laces, buttons, accessories, and other materials from local markets and suppliers.
- Coordinate with vendors for embroidery, adda and handwork, printing, dyeing, and other embellishment processes.
- Verify that materials and prototypes meet quality, color, shrinkage, and finishing requirements.
- Oversee pre-costing, fabric consumption calculations, material utilization, and cost optimization efforts.
- Conduct regular visits to CMT vendors and stitching units to resolve garment construction and production issues.
- Liaise with cutting, stitching, production, and quality teams to ensure smooth production handover.
- Monitor work-in-progress (WIP), production timelines, and vendor performance to support on-time delivery of apparel collections.
- Identify and address technical and quality challenges during product development, implementing corrective actions as needed.
- Lead and mentor the product development team while coordinating with relevant departments to maintain quality and operational efficiency.
Required Qualifications
- 12–18 years of relevant experience in product development, material sourcing, and production coordination within the textile and apparel industry.
- Proven experience with domestic ready-to-wear apparel brands, especially ladies’ prêt, eastern wear, western wear, or related apparel categories.
- Strong practical knowledge of garment construction, fabric types, trims, fitting, measurements, and finishing processes.
- Experience working with pattern makers, vendors, CMT units, and production teams.
- Proficiency in preparing and interpreting technical packs, measurement charts, BOMs, costing, and fabric consumption data.
- Demonstrated expertise in local fabric sourcing, embroidery, handwork, printing, dyeing, and vendor coordination.
- Excellent team management, problem-solving, communication, and coordination skills.
- A bachelor’s degree in Textile Engineering, Garment Technology, Apparel Manufacturing, Fashion Management, or a related field is preferred. Candidates with other educational backgrounds may be considered if they have substantial relevant industry experience.
Preferred Qualifications and Additional Information
We seek a practical, hands-on professional who comprehensively understands the process from design handover to production-ready garments and bulk production. Candidates with experience in domestic apparel brands, technical product development, local sourcing, fit approvals, and CMT coordination will be highly preferred.
This role emphasizes technical product development and production readiness rather than creative fashion design or commercial merchandising. Applicants whose experience is limited to design illustration, textile mill operations, or export merchandising without relevant apparel product development expertise may not be suitable.
Compensation
Monthly salary ranges from Rs. 400,000 to Rs. 500,000.
Work Location
This is an on-site position based in Lahore, Pakistan.
Interested candidates with relevant experience in textile and apparel product development and production coordination are encouraged to apply through the designated job platform by submitting an updated CV. Only qualified applicants will be considered.