OTB Group Product Development Specialist, Knitwear
- Seniority
- Mid-Level
- Department
- Merchandising, Buying & Planning
- Industry
- Fashion, Apparel & Leather Goods
- Posted
- May 15, 2026
About OTB Group
OTB (Only The Brave) is an Italian fashion group that incubates and manages a portfolio of global designer labels. The organisation combines entrepreneurial creativity with industrial know‑how across design, product development and global distribution, offering a fast‑paced, brand‑driven environment for apparel professionals.
OTB in Milan seeks a Product Development Specialist, Knitwear to manage knit development from concept to production for the group's fashion labels.
Role & Responsibilities
- Drive end‑to‑end knitwear product development from design brief to production, managing timelines, samples and sign‑offs.
- Translate designer concepts into detailed technical specifications, tech packs and grading rules for knit constructions.
- Source and specify yarns, trimmings and knit structures; liaise with internal sourcing and external mills to secure materials and lead times.
- Coordinate sample development, oversee fit sessions and implement corrective actions to achieve target fit, hand and quality.
- Manage communication with internal stakeholders (design, merchandising, quality, production) and external suppliers to ensure alignment on delivery, costing and compliance.
- Develop and maintain BOMs, costing sheets and production paperwork; support negotiation of commercial and lead‑time terms with suppliers.
- Monitor quality assurance tests (pilling, shrinkage, colorfastness) and ensure final products meet brand standards and regulatory requirements.
- Contribute technical expertise to seasonal planning, range reviews and product optimisation initiatives.
Qualifications
- In‑depth technical knowledge of knit constructions (weft/warp knitting, intarsia, jacquard, rib, tubular) and garment engineering.
- Proficiency in creating accurate tech packs, BOMs and grading for knit garments.
- Strong commercial awareness including basic costing, lead‑time optimisation and supplier negotiation.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple styles and deadlines concurrently.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills for cross‑functional and supplier collaboration.
Skills
Experience
Typically 3–5 years of progressive experience in knitwear product development or technical design within luxury, premium or contemporary apparel brands, with direct exposure to knit mills and sampling processes.
Education
Degree or diploma in Textile Engineering, Fashion Design, Apparel Technology or equivalent practical experience in knitwear product development.
Workplace
This position is based in Milan, Lombardy, Italy.
Culture
OTB cultivates an entrepreneurial, design‑led culture that balances creative freedom with rigorous product and industrial standards. Teams operate in an international, fast‑moving environment that rewards technical excellence, collaboration and commercial pragmatism.
About Cerulean
Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.
Frequently Asked Questions
The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like OTB Group, titles may vary across global markets to reflect local conventions. To ensure absolute clarity, Cerulean assigns a standardised, industry-coherent canonical title to every listing. However, it is worth noting that this role is functionally synonymous with «Knitwear Product Developer», «Knitwear Development Specialist», «Technical Knitwear Developer», «Knitwear Development Coordinator», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.