Senior Product Developer - 12 Month Maternity Cover

Senior Product Developer - 12 Month Maternity Cover

Rapha launched in 2004 to redefine cycling apparel. Today progressive design and storytelling has built a global movement.

We love cycling in all its forms, from the city streets to the highest peaks. And we know its power to transform lives. Led by innovation, we embody this love through a dedication to the world's greatest sport, by setting a new standard in design and pushing the cutting edge of performance and human craft.

The Product Development team is key to the product creation process, combining expertise with passion to bring product to life. We are a dynamic team with a strong work ethic, together with great team spirit that makes working at Rapha as a Product Engineer a unique experience.

THE ROLE:

• A key role that is accountable for product ranges and direct reports to ensure all briefs and critical dates are met. Owning the engineering of a product collection, ensuring functionality and performance requirements.

• A strong leader who is able to coach/manage more junior members of the team in knowledge and behaviours.

• Responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships with our tier 1 and tier 2 vendors with trips and continuous daily communication. Ensuring all critical path dates and KPIs are met by Rapha and our vendors.

• Analysing reports from tracking documents, highlighting when inaccuracies or missed stage gates occur.

• Collaborate cross functionally with design, atelier and supply chain and garment tech teams to ensure that products are risks assessed in a timely manner and that any subsequent risks are mitigated and elevated to management levels.

• Work closely with the design team on initial pattern development and construction.

• Drive the sample approval process throughout the product lifecycle.

• Experience in cost engineering, ensuring the product is built to meet target costs and margins, working x-functionally throughout the process.

• Communicate all fit and constructional comments to our vendors through the PLM system. Collaborate closely with Product Management, Design and Atelier teams to ensure continuity across all areas.

• Take part as a key function in weekly meetings and fit sessions, offering feedback on vendor capabilities and constructional restraints that will impact the development of products.

• Support more junior members of the team to measure prototype samples and size sets before fitting to ensure they conform to construction specifications.

• Initiate and manage wear testing and lab testing protocols

• Review construction, measurements and quality of all samples.

• Build, maintain and update product tech packs and the product Bill of Materials on our PLM system, across new styles, carry overs and prints.

• Travel to suppliers, trade shows and events as required.

• Ensure that Rapha quality and performance standards are met throughout the sampling and production process.

• Along with Supply Chain, ensure the manufacturing of the products runs smoothly in sampling and production.

• Be part of the quality assurance process within Rapha, an ability to understand and assess Quality Control reports from the supplier, identifying product risks.

THE CANDIDATE:

Reporting to a Product Development Manager or Head of Department, this role will ensure that all products are truly fit for purpose, are of the highest quality and delivered in a timely manner. An effective internal negotiator, this person will be a natural role model to the team in terms of their professional conduct.

• A graduate, ideally with a degree in fashion / textiles / sportswear or equivalent work experience.

• At least 7 years’ experience working for an apparel brand.

• Excellent time management and organisational skills.

• They must lead by example, encouraging and motivating the team to participate in any task with a positive attitude, to ensure business needs are met.

• Confident in making decisions within their remit, a strong and natural leader.

• Effective communicator at all levels of the business.

• Ability to adapt and help lead change in structural updates of a growing company and team.

• Strong understanding of costing templates, variables within manufacturing and the impact of construction, materials and patterns to a product.

• A determined team player, a strong and encouraging manager who is able to support more junior members with their knowledge and confidence.

• Has experience working with technical performance materials.

• Must have an excellent attention to detail and be proficient in using Mac OS, Adobe Illustrator and G Suite. Confident working on CAD’s, Lay-plans and print files using Adobe Illustrator.

• Must be able to challenge the status quo and question to ensure the product brief is met and that the vendors are receiving all correct and up-to-date necessary technical information

• Be able to work to tight and challenging deadlines.

Working at Rapha

We are continuously looking into ways to invest in our employees and build a better working culture and environment. Here are just some of the internal benefits we offer.

• Flexible working hours
  
• Support for ad-hoc remote working during the week - minimum 4 days in office
• 25 days annual leave
• 2 additional days paid time off to participate in a sportive or similar related cycling event
  
• A company bonus scheme
• A health cash plan provided by Healthshield worth up to £1405 per year
• Mental health support with MyndUp
• Free barista coffee and social drinks in the office
• Subsidised lunches 3 days per week
• Monthly department social events and quarterly office social away days
• A flexible riding benefit to allow you to go out riding on a Wednesday morning with colleagues or learn to cycle to cycling through our Getting Started Scheme
  
• Bike racing expenses up to £35 per race entry
• A 50% staff discount and a discount for family and friends
• An annual clothing allowance of £1,120 for testing and promotional purpose
  
• Industry discounts on brands such as Patagonia, Osprey, Finisterre, Wahoo
• Free membership to the Rapha Cycling Club
• Cycle2Work scheme
• Company Pension Scheme
• Enhanced Parental Leave and Pay