Senior NPD

ABOUT सादा / SAADAA

We are a direct-to-consumer (D2C) lifestyle brand. Our vision is to advocate the सादा / SAADAA way of living and make बेहतर / BETTER basics for everyone.

Top 1% Shopify stores in India, we have been bootstrapped and profitable with industry leading benchmarks, we have grown from a 100 sq. ft. garage to now a 150+ people team within 4 years.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Senior NPD – Knitwear will lead the end-to-end development of knitwear products— from concept, fabric and yarn selection, and CAD-based pattern making to sampling and production handover. The ideal candidate should have strong technical knowledge, be adept at market research, and ensure that all developments are aligned with both customer demand and brand aesthetics.

WHAT YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR?

• Drive the full product development process for knitwear—from trend research, design ideation, and fabric/yarn sourcing to final production readiness.
• Conduct in-depth market research on consumer trends, competitor products, and emerging silhouettes to inform commercially viable and brand-aligned designs.
• Source and evaluate yarns, fabrics (including knits and wovens), trims, and finishes, ensuring alignment with aesthetic, functional, and sustainability goals.
• Create accurate CAD sketches, tech packs, and patterns (both digital and paper-based) for sampling and production.
• Lead fit sessions and ensure technical precision through pattern corrections, garment construction improvements, and detailed feedback loops.
• Conduct regular vendor and mill visits to monitor development progress, ensure timely deliveries, resolve technical issues, and maintain quality control.
• Perform hands-on fabric and yarn quality inspections, assessing parameters such as GSM, shrinkage, pilling, colorfastness, and durability to ensure compliance with internal standards.
• Oversee cost management across the development process, ensuring margin targets and material efficiency without compromising design or quality.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams—including merchandising, sourcing, and production—for seamless product handover and launch execution.
• Mentor and guide junior NPD team members, fostering innovation, technical upskilling, and collaborative problem-solving.

WHO YOU ARE

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Knitwear Design, Fashion/Textile Design, or a related field.
• 6–9 years of experience in knitwear product development, ideally within a retail or fashion brand environment.
• Deep technical knowledge of knitwear construction, yarns, stitches, and finishing techniques; familiarity with woven fabrics and garment silhouettes is a strong advantage.
• Proficiency in CAD software, tech pack development, paper and digital pattern making, and garment construction methods.
• Strong grasp of fabric/yarn quality assessment, including lab testing and physical inspections.
• Experience managing vendor relationships, conducting factory/mill visits, and resolving quality or timeline issues on the ground.
• Sound understanding of costing principles and the ability to balance design aspirations with commercial goals.
• Strong project management skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple product timelines.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

WHY BE A PART OF सादा / SAADAA?

• Do you feel out of place in a world full of unnecessary complexities?
• Do you find joy in little things?
• Are you an avid reader with a curiosity for understanding how things work and how we got here?
• Do you believe life is simple and people around you are focusing on the wrong things?
• Are you excited by the idea of learning new things or solving problems with the simplest solutions?

If the answer to all the above questions is yes, you are in the right place.

The world is full of unnecessary complexities, & we, as humans, do not understand the burden of unconscious consumption.

We at सादा / SAADAA believe simplicity with better basics is the way to live a fulfilling life.

WHAT DO WE OFFER?

• A team of empathetic problem solvers
• Growth path to becoming a leader
• An opportunity to drive meaning with products
• A culture of continuous learning
• Freedom: freedom to explore, fail, and learn