DUCIE
Product Developer Freelance
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Reporting to: COO
Working closely with: Founder & Creative Director, Brand & Growth Director, Design and Production teams
Location: Ducie HQ, London
About the role
We are looking for an experienced Product Developer to join Ducie and take ownership of product development across our outerwear collections.
This is a hands-on role, working from initial design concept through to production approval. You will be responsible for ensuring every garment is delivered in line with agreed CP, technically considered, beautifully made, commercially viable and true to the Ducie aesthetic.
The role covers both Product Development and Garment Technology, we are expecting at minimum the candidate to be literate in garment technology at a minimum, ideally with direct garment technology experience but we will consider candidate without this. We are looking for someone who is confident working independently across fittings, construction working with technical packs fabrics and factory communication. The candidate needs to be confident to fully own the CP by seasoning manage the team to ensure each department is fully accountable for their area in the critical the path.
You will work closely with the Founder & Creative Director and Design team to bring the vision to life, while working directly with factories and suppliers to solve problems, improve fit and construction, and ensure every style is production-ready.
This is not a junior development role. We need someone with strong experience and technical judgment who can identify issues, find solutions and confidently make decisions without everything needing to come back to the wider team.
Key responsibilities
Product Development
- Own the development of styles from initial design concept through to final production approval.
- Manage the development process across proto, SMS, fit samples, size sets, pre-production and sealing samples.
- Work closely with Design and the Founder & Creative Director to ensure the original design intent is maintained throughout development.
- Follow up directly with factories and suppliers to manage development timelines, samples and critical paths.
- Attend fittings and lead clear, concise fit comments, ensuring amendments are accurately communicated and actioned.
- Work closely with pattern cutters and factories to resolve fit and construction issues.
- Anticipate technical and production challenges early and propose practical solutions.
- Ensure garments are fully developed and technically approved before production handover.
- Work closely with the Production Manager to ensure a clear and complete handover of production-ready styles.
Garment Technology & Fit
- Take ownership of Ducie's fit and technical standards across product categories.
- Independently conduct fittings and identify issues relating to fit, proportion, construction and functionality.
- Understand pattern cutting, grading and garment construction and be able to communicate technical changes clearly to factories and suppliers.
- Develop and maintain consistent Ducie measurement and fit standards across suppliers.
- Review samples critically for fit, construction, quality, finish and commercial viability.
- Give factories clear technical solutions rather than simply identifying problems.
- Ensure grading and size specifications are accurate and appropriate for the intended fit.
- Support the development of new shapes, constructions and finishes across the collection.
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Ensure all communication with all factories and the team is efficient and effective - ensure process of development is tracked fully with all communications in place on a tracker.
Materials & Product
- Work closely with Design and suppliers on the development of fabrics, leather, suede, shearling, faux fur, trims and hardware.
- Have a strong understanding of the technical characteristics and production requirements of these materials.
- Develop and approve finishes, trims and construction techniques while maintaining Ducie's luxury positioning.
- Work with suppliers to source and develop new materials and techniques where required.
- Ensure appropriate testing is carried out where necessary, including colour, stability, dry cleaning, trims and material performance.
- Research new suppliers and manufacturers when specific expertise or techniques are required.
Factory & Supplier Management
- Build strong, direct working relationships with Ducie's factories and suppliers. Be comfortable challenging and pushing suppliers when standards are not met.
- Communicate technical amendments clearly and confidently, ensuring factories understand exactly what is required.
- Anticipate potential production issues during development and work with factories to resolve them before bulk production.
- Support factory visits where required to communicate Ducie's aesthetic, construction and quality expectations.
- Ensure counter samples and technical amendments are followed through to approval.
Costing & Commercial
- Understand product costing, construction costs and target margins.
- Work with factories and the Production Manager to ensure products remain commercially viable throughout development.
- Challenge construction, materials and finishes where costs are not aligned with target margins, while protecting the quality and design intent.
- Review costing implications of technical changes and communicate these clearly to the relevant team.
- Support the development of products that meet both Ducie's creative ambition and commercial requirements.
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Critical Path & Handover
- Own the product development critical path for assigned styles and ensure key deadlines are met.
- Maintain clear visibility of outstanding samples, amendments, approvals and factory actions.
- Ensure all technical information is accurate and up to date throughout development.
- Ensure styles are fully approved and production-ready before handover.
- Work closely with the Production Manager to ensure a smooth transition from development into bulk production.
About you
We are looking for an experienced Product Developer who combines strong technical expertise with excellent product judgment.
You will ideally have:
- 6–8+ years' relevant experience in product development and/or garment technology.
- Strong experience within luxury or premium fashion, ideally with a focus on outerwear.
- Extensive knowledge of leather, suede, shearling and faux fur.
- Strong understanding of pattern cutting, grading, garment construction and fit.
- Proven experience conducting fittings independently and writing clear, accurate fit comments.
- Experience working directly with overseas factories and suppliers.
- Strong knowledge of the full product development process from design concept through to production.
- A strong understanding of product costing, construction and commercial viability.
- Excellent attention to detail and a high standard of quality.
- Strong organisational and critical-path management skills.
- The confidence to challenge suppliers, solve problems and make decisions independently.
- A practical, solutions-focused approach — you don't just identify a problem, you work out how to fix it.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to work closely with Creative, Design, Production and suppliers.
- A genuine understanding of luxury product and what makes a garment feel special.
The right person for Ducie
- You will be someone who is hands-on, commercially minded and technically strong, with a real eye for product.
- You will be comfortable moving between a fitting, a technical pack, a factory conversation and a cost discussion — and equally comfortable telling a supplier when something isn't right.
- Most importantly, you will care about the finished garment. You will understand that at Ducie, the detail matters: the fit, the handle, the construction, the finish and how the coat ultimately makes the customer feel.
- This is an opportunity to play a key role in building the product function at an exciting fast growing luxury brand. You will help establish the technical and quality standards that Ducie will be known for.
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