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Management & LeadershipISCO 1223

Clothing development manager

A clothing development manager is a person who takes a collection from concept to a product ready for sale.

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Rate 5 of the 16 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

evaluate garment quality

coordinate manufacturing production activities

distinguish accessories

manage briefs for clothing manufacturing

operate computerised control systems

About clothing development manager

The work starts with the product concept. The manager establishes who a collection is for and how it fits the company's marketing strategy, then turns that into specific decisions: how the range is split between sales channels, the order in which colours are introduced, the size grading and the number of styles in a category. The manager briefs designers, the cutting room and suppliers on those decisions in written guidance.

The manager prepares production prototypes and assesses them for fit, garment quality, textile material properties and agreement with the size chart. Knowledge of garment manufacture and of fashion history supports this work. The manager also runs process control in clothing production and operates computerised control systems.

The manager runs the whole life cycle of a product line: from concept through sales to distribution, and manages the budget so that a collection stays inside the cost assumed for it. The manager takes part in market research and follows industry trends that affect the concepts and products of a category.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a clothing development manager.

1

Product Concept Development and Strategy

  • Define product concepts that align with target consumer needs and marketing strategy
  • Conduct market research and analyse industry trends to inform product development
  • Develop seasonal and strategic concepts for colour introductions and product assortments
2

Product Design and Technical Specifications

  • Distinguish fabrics and textiles based on properties, performance, and suitability for designs
  • Identify and select appropriate accessories and materials for product specifications
  • Prepare production prototypes and ensure design specifications meet manufacturing standards
3

Quality Assurance and Evaluation

  • Evaluate garment quality throughout the development and manufacturing process
  • Perform process control in the wearing apparel industry to ensure quality standards
  • Review and approve final products before distribution to ensure consumer satisfaction
4

Production Coordination and Manufacturing Management

  • Coordinate manufacturing production activities and manage manufacturing timelines
  • Manage briefs for clothing manufacturing and communicate technical requirements to suppliers
  • Oversee apparel manufacturing technology application and process efficiency improvements
5

Budget Management and Supply Chain

  • Manage budgets for product development, manufacturing, and distribution activities
  • Analyse supply chain strategies and optimize cost-efficiency without compromising quality
  • Monitor manufacturing costs and ensure realisation within budget constraints
6

Distribution and Channel Management

  • Plan distribution strategies by channel and ensure product availability in target markets
  • Manage product line and category lifecycle from concept through sales
  • Operate computerised control systems to track inventory and sales performance

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (16)

consumer goods industryconsumer goods industryThe consumer goods industry refers to a concrete economic sector that produce and sell goods to consumers for they direct consumption, enjoyment or use. Industry that covers a wide range of activities...manufacturing of wearing apparelmanufacturing of wearing apparelThe processes used to fabricate wearing apparel and the different technologies and machinery involved in the manufacturing processes.properties of textile materialsproperties of textile materialsThe characteristics and properties of different textile and fabric materials. These include strength, flexibility, elasticity, softness, durability, heat insulation, low weight, water absorbency/repel...manufacturing of made-up textile articlesmanufacturing of made-up textile articlesManufacturing processes in wearing apparel and made-up textiles. Different technologies and machinery involved in the manufacturing processes.apparel manufacturing technologyapparel manufacturing technologyTraditional and advanced apparel manufacturing technologies. Technologies including processes, machinery, etc. in order to compile and design pattern requirements, contribute to product costing and fi...history of fashionhistory of fashionCostumes and the cultural traditions around clothing.evaluate garment qualityevaluate garment qualityEvaluating stitching, construction, attachments, fasteners, embellishments, shading within the garment; evaluating pattern continuity-, matching; evaluating tapes and linings.coordinate manufacturing production activitiescoordinate manufacturing production activitiesCoordinate manufacturing activities based on production strategies, policies and plans. Study details of the planning such as expected quality of the products, quantities, cost, and labour required to...distinguish accessoriesdistinguish accessoriesDistinguish accessories in order to determine differences among them. Evaluate accessories based on their characteristics and their application in wearing apparel manufacturing.manage briefs for clothing manufacturingmanage briefs for clothing manufacturingManage briefs from clients for the manufacturing of wearing apparel. Collect customers' demands and prepare them into specifications for the production.operate computerised control systemsoperate computerised control systemsOperate electronic or computerised control panels to monitor and optimise processes, and to control process start-up and shut-downs.prepare production prototypesprepare production prototypesPrepare early models or prototypes in order to test concepts and replicability possibilities. Create prototypes to assess for pre-production tests.manage budgetsmanage budgetsPlan, monitor, report on the budget and prepare set production budgets.perform process control in the wearing apparel industryperform process control in the wearing apparel industryPerforms process control to wearing apparel products in order to assure mass production in an uninterrupted production manner. Control processes to ensure that processes are predictable, stable and co...analyse supply chain strategiesanalyse supply chain strategiesExamine an organisation's planning details of production, their expected output units, quality, quantity, cost, time available and labour requirements. Provide suggestions in order to improve products...distinguish fabricsdistinguish fabricsDistinguish fabrics in order to determine differences among them. Evaluate fabrics based on their characteristics and their application in wearing apparel manufacturing.
Optional (7) — show
standard sizing systems for clothingstandard sizing systems for clothingStandard sizing systems for clothing developed by different countries. Differences among the systems and standards of different countries, the development of the systems according to the evolution of ...manufacture wearing apparel productsmanufacture wearing apparel productsManufacture either mass-product or bespoke wearing apparels of various types, assembling and joining together wearing apparel components using processes such as sewing, gluing, bonding. Assemble weari...manufacture personal protective equipment made of textilemanufacture personal protective equipment made of textileManufacture personal protective equipment made out of textiles following standards and norms, and depending on the application of the product.show sample garmentsshow sample garmentsDeliver sample garments to sales representatives; schedule meetings at fashion shows to demonstrate sample garments.sew pieces of fabricsew pieces of fabricOperate basic or specialised sewing machines whether domestic or industrial ones, sewing pieces of fabric, vinyl or leather in order to manufacture or repair wearing apparels, making sure the threads ...keep up to date on costume designkeep up to date on costume designVisit textile showrooms, read fashion magazines, keep up-to-date with trends and changes in the world of fabrics and designs.portfolio management in textile manufacturingportfolio management in textile manufacturingThe process of managing teams and projects in textile and clothing product development.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

clothing technologist13 shared essential skillsclothing alteration machinist11 shared essential skillsclothing product grader10 shared essential skillsclothing quality inspector10 shared essential skillsclothing sample machinist10 shared essential skillsclothing process control technician9 shared essential skillswearing apparel patternmaker9 shared essential skillstailor8 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a clothing development manager do?

Clothing development managers define product concepts that are consistent with target consumers and overall marketing strategy. They receive scientific findings and specifications in order to lead the briefing and implementation of all relevant seasonal and strategic concepts, including distribution by channel, product, colour introductions, and merchandised assortments. They ensure realisation and execution within budget. They manage and execute the product line and category life cycle from concept determination through sales and distribution, contribution in market research and industry trends to influence category concepts and products.

What skills does a clothing development manager need?

A clothing development manager needs 16 essential skills, including consumer goods industry, manufacturing of wearing apparel, properties of textile materials, manufacturing of made-up textile articles, apparel manufacturing technology.

Will AI replace clothing development manager jobs?

The AI disruption score for clothing development manager is 65/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: manage budgets, perform process control in the wearing apparel industry, manufacturing of made-up textile articles. Most resilient: consumer goods industry, history of fashion, show sample garments.

AI Replacement Risk

65/ 100
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Quick Facts

SectorManagement & Leadership
ISCO GroupAdministrative and commercial managers
Essential Skills16

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