Job descriptionWe are Hiring : HOD - Design & Product Development Location: Pithampur/Indore, Madhya Pradesh Department: Product Design & Development Reporting to: Business Head Experience: 8-12 Years About the Company Pratibha Syntex is one of India's leading integrated, sustainable textile and apparel manufacturers, known for responsible processes and ethically produced apparel. Our retail division reflects these values, delivering thoughtfully designed, technically sound, and market-relevant apparel for the conscious consumer. About the Role We are looking for a seasoned Product Development Manager to lead the end-to-end product development lifecycle-from concept creation to commercial readiness. The role requires a strong blend of creative design thinking, technical expertise in fabrics and garment construction, and sharp market awareness. The ideal candidate will act as a strategic bridge between design, merchandising, production, marketing, and retail teams, ensuring product feasibility, quality, cost efficiency, and strong brand alignment. This role also offers exposure to cross-functional collaboration across multiple business verticals, including export operations. Responsibilities - Product & Concept Development - Lead seasonal product development strategy aligned with market trends, customer insights, and retail calendar - Define category mix, seasonal direction, and product concepts in collaboration with design and merchandising teams - Fabric & Trim Development - Identify, source, and develop innovative fabrics, trims, and materials with sourcing teams and mills - Evaluate and approve fabric quality parameters including GSM, shrinkage, hand feel, color fastness, and sustainability certifications - Technical & Garment Development - Oversee garment construction, fit, finishing, wash processes, and quality standards - Approve tech packs, garment specifications, and pre-production samples - Ensure smooth transition from design intent to bulk production - Leverage AI tools/agents for product design and development support - Trend & Market Research - Track global and domestic fashion trends, fabric innovations, and consumer behavior - Develop seasonal trend forecasts, mood boards, and innovation inputs - Sampling & Costing Management - Manage sampling workflow from prototypes to sales samples ensuring timely delivery and quality - Collaborate with costing teams to ensure products meet target margins without compromising design integrity - Cross-Functional Collaboration - Work closely with design, production, merchandising, marketing, and retail teams - Participate in product reviews, range finalization, and go-to-market planning - Develop graphics, prints, embroidery, and trims aligned with seasonal trends - Sustainability Integration - Drive sustainable product development using organic, recycled, and eco-friendly materials - Ensure compliance with sustainability certifications and audit requirements - Develop collections using available stock fibers, yarns, and fabrics - Conduct weekly store visits to understand product performance and improve hero styles - Review VM inputs and store communication for product effectiveness Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) - Number of new collections/categories launched per season - Number of new sustainable/technical fabrics developed - % of samples approved in 1st/2nd round - % of products meeting target costing - Trend inputs and reports delivered per season - Average product development turnaround time - Internal stakeholder satisfaction scores - % of products using sustainable materials/processes Qualifications - Education - Degree/Diploma in Apparel Design, Fashion Design, Textile Technology, or Garment Manufacturing Technology - Experience - 8-12 years in apparel product development, preferably in casualwear, athleisure, or sustainable fashion within Indian retail Required Skills - Strong knowledge of garment construction, fits, finishes, and product engineering - Expertise in fabrics, textile innovation, and material development - Strong commercial and retail market understanding - Excellent project management and cross-functional coordination - Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, CorelDRAW, CLO 3D, and MS Office - Strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills Preferred Skills - Experience in sustainable fashion practices - Knowledge of global fashion markets
