Product Developer - Volley

About Brand Collective
Brand Collective is one of Australia's most prominent apparel, footwear & sport groups, operating our omnichannel offer across 300+ stores with over 3,000 team members, a comprehensive online business and an extensive wholesale network. Our portfolio ranges from iconic heritage to timeless contemporary, from street culture to considered craftsmanship, and from private label to international luxury fashion brands. We bring brands to life!

The opportunity

The Volley product developer role involves driving the end-to-end product creation process, from concept to finished product, while collaborating closely with design, sourcing, and production teams. The ideal candidate has a keen eye for detail, deep knowledge of the current sneaker market, footwear construction, and a drive to innovate in both performance and lifestyle footwear categories.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee all phases of sneaker product development, from initial design and concept to finished product, ensuring each product meets design intent, quality, and cost targets.
• Partner closely with design, materials, and innovation teams to translate sketches and concepts into feasible and manufacturable products, making design adjustments as necessary.
• Work with manufacturing partners and factories to ensure timely development, sample creation, and final production, while troubleshooting production issues.
• Use planning information to track product progress, manage timelines, and coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure deadlines are met for seasonal product launches.
• Lead fit sessions, manage wear testing, and ensure that performance, fit, and comfort align with the brand's standards. Collaborate with quality assurance to refine samples based on test results.
• Source and evaluate materials, components, and trims, ensuring quality and performance standards are met while staying aligned with the brand's sustainability and innovation goals.
• Manage the design and development process ensuring alignment with the footwear strategy and trend direction.
• Conduct regular reviews and meetings to support the wider team to ensure that retailer requests translate to the desired product outcomes.
• Oversee the development of ranges that deliver successful results for the retailer.
• Clearly understand the seasonal financial directives and work with the costing team to establish strategic initiatives each season to mitigate cost increases to meet seasonal margin and brand financial targets.
• Executing to calendar deliverables, including but not limited to concept sample and prototype development, material validation, estimated costing, initial quality evaluation and approval requirements with key stakeholders
• Ensuring accurate cost estimates and price targets are achievable to meet and/or exceed target FOB

The skills and experience you offer us

• 3+ years of experience in footwear product development, preferably within the sneaker category.
• Experience working in a wholesale sales environment or garment manufacturing experience
• Direct experience with 'big-box' retailers.
• Strong understanding of sneaker design, materials, construction, and manufacturing processes.
• Proficiency in product lifecycle management (PLM) systems, Adobe Creative Suite, and MS Office.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities with the ability to motivate and inspire cross-functional teams.
• Knowledge of sustainable materials and eco-friendly production practices is a plus.

Just some of the perks we offer you

• Generous discounts for you and your family across Brand Collective's stable of brands! That's 50% off brands such as Reebok, Superdry, Clarks, Review, Hush Puppies, Elka Collective, Black Pepper and many more

• RECENTLY LAUNCHED - additional discounts across our parent company, LK Group, including Daniel's Donuts, Hommey, LK Group Hospitality, Snooze, and many more!

• Pet friendly workspace - yes, you can bring your dog to work!

• Invitations to epic sample sales

• Paid parental leave, volunteer leave, purchased leave program

• Novated Leasing

• Generous service awards

• Employee Assistance Program with free access to Mental Health Professionals

• and more!

Apply today to bring brands to life

At Brand Collective our customers come from all walks of life, and so do we! We value diversity and inclusion in all forms, thus hire based on capability and performance. If you feel like your skills align with the role and company culture, apply today with your current resume and optional Cover Letter.

Please note: at this time, Brand Collective are not seeking recruitment agency support for this role, and will not be liable for any unsolicited candidate profiles or associated fees. We encourage applicants to apply directly to this posting if they would like to be considered for this opportunity. The advertising of this role may close earlier than the listed date, and we encourage applicants to apply early.