We are PANGAIA - a purpose-driven lifestyle company bringing problem-solving materials science innovations to the world.
We are a global collective of one heart and many hands - scientists, technologists, designers – using nature’s intelligence to create apparel from innovative tech and bio-engineered materials.
Our vision is to inspire and accelerate a positive Earth future as we design a business model where our products are better for the planet than if they did not exist. Every product we create is born from science, design and purpose, each solving an environmental problem of the industry.
From the materials we use to the colours we create, we are committed to protecting, preserving and promoting biodiversity on earth, pioneering and using materials that consider the delicate balance between planet, functionality and purpose.
We are starting a movement. Designing a positive Earth future.
About this role
This role will lead the end-to-end product development process within Pangaia’s Product team.
You will drive for success by fostering a culture of accountability, innovation and collaboration and operating as a true technical specialist with internal teams, mills and vendors.
Reporting to the Product Director, you will also be responsible for the successful execution of the product strategy, concept through to successful production handover of all our product categories.
A day in the life
- Building and maintaining a close working partnership with the Design team by attending fittings, providing feedback on technical feasibility, brainstorming ideas and solutions to ensure the design vision is translated into product.
- Collaborating with the Design and Production teams, sourcing fabric and trim in line with Pangaia’s high impact standards.
- Responsible for building and maintaining effective working relationships with vendors, developing a strong working knowledge of vendor capability and availability to meet demands. This includes negotiating on costs as well as aesthetic changes to ensure design vision is maintained.
- Building & maintaining product development budgets and sample status reports creation.
- Implementing and managing the critical path from concept to pre-production with design, tech, production and manufacturers. Ensuring deadlines are adhered to and follow up on all prototype/sample issues to resolve and drive to completion. Identifying, calling out and making recommendations to mitigate any risks/challenges identified at all stages of development.
- Instrumental in building new age product development strategy, focused on speed to market product testing, transitioning to conventional supply chain with support of Production team.
- Delivering high quality prototypes and samples in time with the critical path and in line with margin targets.
- Responsible for ensuring functionality (including consistency and standardisation) and ensuring products that are developed are fit for purpose for the customer, brand and business. This includes ongoing risk assessment during the development process and proactivity in taking actions as a result
- Strong multi category apparel construction, print and embellishment knowledge.
- Support production meetings follow ups at vendors, technical requirements of all proto and samples in preparation for production
- Management of a small team, delegating and developing as necessary.
- Accountable for ensuring PLM is kept updated with 100% accuracy at all times.
- Work closely with the Marketing and Ecom teams to provide correct data / content / samples for shoots and external communication.
- Travel to vendors and suppliers as required.
- Support the Snr Manager Production & Sourcing, to build supply chain transparency and traceability to raw material level.
- Ensure accuracy of data collection required for product life cycle analysis and Vendor Scorecard.
- Active participation in relevant external Impact partnerships with 3rd parties.
Requirements
- Ability to work in a fast paced, start-up environment whilst maintaining a sense of calm resilience and be able to operate at pace with agility, initiative and be solution-focussed.
- Technical capability and product knowledge with ability to confidently influence the Design team and provide on the spot solutions in:
- Garment construction, pattern cutting and fabric construction
- Printing, printing techniques; woven fabrics and knit
- Knowledge of industrialisation process partnering with technical teams
- 3D development is advantageous. CLO3D, Browzwear
- Technical Outerwear experience required
- Previous experience managing vendor relationships, delivering clear briefs and leveraging relationships to meet demands.
- Able to manage within a budget with commercial awareness and understanding of product cost, achieving a balance between creativity and commercial implications throughout the product development process
- Demonstrated experience working on site with vendors and operational knowledge of factories, delivering clear briefs and leveraging relationships and availability to meet demands
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to negotiate with credibility, share information effectively, and work confidently with cross functional teams
- Strong reporting, excel, g-suite, PLM and ERP system skills. Good communication skills, able to effectively share information with stakeholders in a clear, succinct way.
- Has an innovative mindset and enjoys ‘thinking outside the box’.
- A deep interest in Material Sciences, Innovation and responsible product design would be beneficial
Benefits
- Private Healthcare Plan including dental + vision
- Free gym onsite
- 25 days of annual leave per annum + birthday day off (plus bank holidays)
- Life Assurance + Income Protection + Critical illness cover
- Employee Assistance Program – Counselling
- 70% Employee Discount on all our products
