Product Developer

Equip Outdoor Technologies UK Ltd based in Alfreton, Derbyshire specialise in the design and marketing of technical outdoor clothing and equipment. Our experienced and enthusiastic team develop innovative designs, manufactured to the highest standard and brought to market throughout the world. Equip Outdoor Technologies own a global leading outdoor brand, Rab. For further information on Equip please visit our website at www.equipuk.com

Our team is based at our Head Office just outside The Peak District National Park off jct28 of the M1 corridor.

Position:

We are recruiting for a Product Developer to join our team! This is an excellent opportunity to develop your skills, gain valuable experience, and progress your career within a supportive and dynamic environment.

You will be responsible for managing the seasonal development process for assigned products, working collaboratively with Design, Product Compliance, Technical teams and overseas manufacturing partners to progress each style from initial design concept through to prototype development and final SMS sign-off.

You will also ensure that each product achieves the required quality standards, is fit for purpose, and meets target cost through proactive cost and design engineering. In addition this role is responsible for maintaining accurate records across all company systems and following the seasonal critical path to ensure each milestone is delivered on time.

Key Responsibilities of Product Developer (including but not limited to):

• Collaborate with Product Management and Design during the briefing stage, conducting research and competitor analysis to help ensure new seasonal products are relevant, commercially viable and market leading.
• Review design sketches and assess cost feasibility, providing technical feedback and recommendations to support production efficiency and escalating for guidance where required.
• Create initial product specifications and communicate fit, construction and aesthetic requirements to overseas vendors to support pattern development and prototype sampling.
• Create and maintain accurate tech packs throughout the development phase, ensuring all information remains clear, complete and up to date.
• Set up and maintain the seasonal development tracker, ensuring progress, key dates and milestones are accurately recorded.
• Work with Senior Product Developers to analyse and challenge supplier cost breakdowns and consumption data, updating the cost tracker ahead of key seasonal meetings to support margin forecasting. Recommend alternative methods, options or constructions to achieve target cost where required.
• Manage samples from initial request through to SMS stage, ensuring timelines are met and samples are received, reviewed and progressed in line with the critical path.
• Arrange and support fit sessions with designers and relevant stakeholders to review prototype fit and construction, agreeing necessary adjustments and communicating updates clearly to vendors.
• Carry out product risk assessments, identifying testing requirements such as wash testing, physical construction testing or full product laboratory testing.
• Assess and continually review the repairability and durability of new-season styles, working with Product Marketing on user trials and with Product Compliance and Returns teams to ensure products meet Equip’s RSL and repairability standards.
• Coordinate with the Materials team, Design team and vendors to ensure raw materials are selected, available and suitable for sample production.
• Create and maintain ownership of the development Bill of Materials (BOM), ensuring information is accurate and updated throughout the development process.
• Input and maintain accurate style information across company systems.
• Ensure product fit is consistent across product types and aligned across categories and consumer needs.
• Create and communicate SMS labelling requirements accurately and in line with seasonal timelines.
• Undertake overseas travel and development trips to vendors as required to support product development activities.
• Review and complete the handover of SMS styles to the Technical team, enabling progression through the pre-production stage and supporting final production sign-off.
• Conduct and support QC/AQL warehouse inspections as required.

Requirements:

To join us as Product Developer you must have:

Essential

• Degree or equivalent in fashion design, product design, product technology or textiles
• Previous product development experience within apparel/soft goods/accessories or equipment
• Previous experience working with overseas factories and/or knowledge of manufacturing
• Strong knowledge of product specification process (building and updating BOMs)
• Strong knowledge of the fitting process
• Strong knowledge of product construction
• Understanding of the pattern making process
• Good understanding of QC process & procedures
• Efficient with excellent planning and organisational skills
• Outstanding attention to detail, with a meticulous and methodical approach
• Excellent communication skills at all levels
• Ability to self-start and work independently
• Strong interpersonal skills, pro-active, resourceful and resilient
• Ability to multi-task and meet tight deadlines
• Able to work as part of a team as well as use own initiative
• High level of competency in Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Excel

Desirable

• An active interest in outdoor sports
• Experience working in Outdoor sector
• Grading
• Hands-on factory experience
• Experience in PLM or EPR software

Other information:

Salary and Benefits:

• Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications, skills and experience
• Contributory company pension scheme, subject to qualifying conditions
• Discretionary profit share bonus scheme
• Employee Benefits Platform
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Online GP & Physio Service
• Employee Wellbeing Platform
• Hybrid working (discretionary basis, determined by business need) as well as an early finish on Fridays!
• Free, unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning training resources
• Great staff discounts on our Rab products
• Reciprocal trade discounts on climbing, bikes, camping, sailing and running equipment
• Casual dress code
• Modern facilities with free on-site parking and competitively priced EV charging

Closing date for applications is 01 November 2026 For general enquiries please contact: [email protected]

Strictly No Agencies please Our people are part of one team that is geared to achieving success for the company, and we are strongly committed to inclusivity, promoting equality and celebrating diversity among our staff. We are looking for people who are passionate about and can help live our values of Synergy, Ingenuity, Ambition, Determination and Integrity.