Rapha Racing Limited
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A leading cycling apparel company is seeking an SMU / Athletes & Teams Assistant Product Developer. You will assist in developing high-performance cycling apparel for athletes, ensuring quality and timely delivery. Ideal candidates should have a degree in fashion/textiles/sportswear, at least 2 years of experience in apparel development, and a passion for cycling. The role offers a range of employee benefits, including flexible work hours and an annual clothing allowance.
Rapha launched in 2004 to redefine cycling apparel. Today progressive design and storytelling has built a global movement.
We love cycling in all its forms, from the city streets to the highest peaks. And we know its power to transform lives. Led by innovation, we embody this love through a dedication to the world's greatest sport, by setting a new standard in design and pushing the cutting edge of performance and human craft.
As the SMU (Special Make-Up) / Athletes & Teams Assistant Product Developer, you will play an essential role in supporting the development of high-performance cycling apparel and accessories for professional athletes, partner teams, and special projects. You will work closely with designers, developers, and suppliers to ensure every product meets the highest standards of performance, innovation, and quality.
Reporting to a Senior member of the team, this role will ensure that all products are truly fit for purpose, are of the highest quality and delivered in a timely manner.
The Athletes & Teams product range is at the cutting edge of technical cycling apparel. This includes:
Professional race kits designed in collaboration with teams and elite athletes, built to perform at the highest levels of competition.
Custom team apparel that combines Rapha’s signature quality with specific team identities and sponsorship requirements.
Special Make-Up (SMU) projects such as limited-edition collaborations, event-specific apparel, and unique product adaptations for sponsored athletes.
Performance prototypes and testing garments developed in partnership with athletes to refine fabrics, fits, and features that often inform future Rapha collections.
A key role that supports the Product Development team to ensure critical dates are met throughout the product lifecycle.
Day-to-day supplier communication, gathering information on products and potential issues within the sampling process.
Supporting Mid and Senior members of staff to manage a range of categories of products and update alongside the critical path.
Collaborate cross-functionally with Design, graphic and supply chain teams to ensure that products are risk-assessed in a timely manner
Communicate all fit and construction comments to our vendors through the PLM system.
Participate in weekly meetings and fit sessions.
Support with measuring prototype samples and size sets before fittings to ensure they conform to size and construction specifications.
Review construction, measurements and quality of all samples, including Shipment Samples.
Maintain and update product tech packs and the product Bill of Materials on our PLM system.
Ensure that Rapha quality and performance standards are met throughout the sampling and production process.
Assist with quality assurance.
Review and approve layplans
A graduate, ideally with a degree in fashion/textiles/sportswear or equivalent work experience.
At least 2 years’ experience working for an apparel brand.
Good time management and organisational skills.
They must lead by example, encouraging and motivating the team to participate in any task with a positive attitude, to ensure business needs are met.
Has a basic understanding of technical materials and their properties.
Good attention to detail and experience using Mac OS, Adobe Illustrator and G Suite. Confident working on CADs, Lay-plans and print files using Adobe Illustrator.
Solutions-based mindset.
Be able to work to tight and challenging deadlines.
Ideally, a cyclist or sports enthusiast who is keen to develop their riding skills and use their passion for sport to improve our product range.
We are continuously looking into ways to invest in our employees and build a better working culture and environment. Here are just some of the internal benefits we offer:
* The salary benchmark is based on the target salaries of market leaders in their relevant sectors. It is intended to serve as a guide to help Premium Members assess open positions and to help in salary negotiations. The salary benchmark is not provided directly by the company, which could be significantly higher or lower.