Quality & Product Development Manager

A strategic leader driving product innovation, quality excellence, and future‑ready development across Europe.

Role Summary

The Quality and Product Development Manager plays a pivotal strategic role in shaping the product development and quality direction for the European business. Acting as a key partner to Buying, Global Product Development, and our European buying offices, this role ensures that our product quality, innovation, and technical capability continue to evolve in line with business growth, market expansion, and the Off‑Price value equation.

This leader is responsible for setting the long‑term technical strategy, steering the Product Specialist team, and embedding a modern, future‑focused approach to garment development, sustainability, and European quality standards. With strong technical depth and commercial awareness, the Manager - Garment Technologist enables Buying to maximise opportunities by delivering well‑engineered, commercially sound, and fit‑for‑purpose product.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Product Development & Quality Leadership

• Define and lead the European technical and product development strategy, ensuring alignment with Buying priorities, growth plans, and evolving customer expectations.
• Shape a flexible, future‑focused resourcing model for Product Specialists and Quality Support teams across European Buying Offices, ensuring technical capability grows with new categories, markets, and vendor bases.
• Build a culture of innovation, enabling the team to proactively identify opportunities in materials, construction, production methods, and sustainability.
• Drive the strategic evaluation of product quality and performance, providing Buying with expert insight to reduce risk, increase competitiveness, and improve BFPQ outcomes.
• Lead the evolution of the Quality Assurance Coordinator role to ensure best‑in‑class standards across operational delivery and technical support.

Cross‑Functional Partnership & Influence

• Partner with Buying leadership to inform buying strategies through technical expertise, market insight, and product development opportunities.
• Build strong relationships with Global Product Development and US teams, ensuring alignment on European quality standards and jointly influencing future global direction.
• Lead European labelling and packaging strategy in partnership with US teams and Buying Offices, ensuring regulatory compliance, sustainable innovation, and clear market execution.
• Act as the strategic counterpart for Royalty partners, overseeing contractual updates and ensuring technical accuracy and compliance across product lines.

Sustainability & Compliance

• Champion sustainability within product development, partnering with Corporate Responsibility to embed responsible material choices, production techniques, and labelling.
• Ensure the European approach aligns with global sustainability strategy, leveraging accreditations, certifications, and standards to guide future product evolution.
• Oversee compliance with European testing, care labelling, and regulatory standards, including children’s clothing where relevant.

Capability Development & Technical Training

• Lead the development of technical training and upskilling programmes in partnership with Buying Directors and the University, enhancing Buyer capability in product development, construction, fit, and production.
• Ensure training content remains relevant, modern, and supportive of business needs, particularly in relation to new categories, fabrics, and emerging sustainability requirements.
• Coach and mentor product and quality specialists, fostering a high‑performing team of technical experts.

Key Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Proven experience as a Garment Technologist, Senior Technologist, or Product Developer within a large, fast‑paced European retail or sourcing environment.
• Deep technical expertise across garment construction, pattern cutting, fit assessment, and product engineering.
• Strong understanding of garment production systems, finishing techniques, fabric/yarn behaviour, colouration, and performance testing.
• Extensive knowledge of European testing standards, care labelling regulations, and sustainable certifications.
• Ability to technically risk‑assess product categories and advise on development opportunities.
• Strong fashion sensibility with the ability to translate conceptual design ideas into technically sound product solutions.
• Experience in global sourcing environments with the ability to inform and influence sourcing strategy.
• Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to develop, coach, and inspire technical teams.
• Highly collaborative, with strong communication and influencing skills across all levels and functions.
• Able to balance strategic vision with operational execution and maintain composure in a fast‑paced, flexible environment.
• Strong organisational skills, detail orientation, and full competency across essential IT systems.

Leadership & Culture

• Creates a positive, inclusive culture where diverse perspectives strengthen product development and innovation.
• Role models our Leadership Competencies and Cultural Factors as a Leader of Others.
• Able to articulate long‑term strategy clearly while staying connected to the technical detail that underpins product excellence.
•  You must have the legal right to work in the country you are applying to.