Product Development Manager

Job Description Brand Description Founded in 2009 in Dubai, Shrekahnth is a sustainable luxury fashion brand focused on ethical collaboration with indigenous artisans to preserve traditional crafts. By combining natural dyeing and handwoven textile techniques with modern technology, Shrekahnth creates high-quality, sustainable fashion collections. The brand uses eco-friendly materials such as certified cotton, linen, and silk, along with plant-based dyes sourced from indigenous communities in India and West Africa. Shrekahnth's commitment to sustainability extends to supporting local communities and promoting responsible Slow Fashion on a global scale. Location: Atelier Vendome Paris, Madhavaram Handloom Cluster, Madhavaram Village, Near Vontimitta, Kadapa (On-ground role) Type: Full-time ( On Site and Travel Required around India for weaving and Dye Clusters ) Language Requirement: Telugu preferred for communication with weavers Atelier Vendome Paris is building a design-led atelier inside the Madhavaram handloom cluster to create handloom-based scarves, western clothing, textiles, accessories, and technical prototypes for the brand Shrekahnth. We are hiring a Product Development Manager who can handle both design + execution end-to-end. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Raw Material Procurement & Allocation: - Identify right yarns required and coordinate with yarn suppliers, dye houses, zari units, trim vendors. - Manage inventory, tracking, and logistics. - Ensure quality checks for all raw materials. 2. Production Planning & Technical Development: - Collaborate with a patternmaker to create the necessary patterns and drapes for the design collection. - Visit Master weavers, Designers and weavers from different clusters for development advice as per designs and patterns from them. - Plan sampling, pilot runs, loom schedules, and production timelines. - Convert design ideas into technical sheets, Punch cards, CAD artworks, weave plans, and loom instructions with the help of master weavers, Designers locally and advisory from other clusters. - Co-ordinate with weavers to adjust loom settings (reed, count, EPI/PPI, dobby/jacquard, Jamdani) as required. - Select appropriate weavers for each design to develop samples. - Maintain a strong feedback between design and loom execution. 3. Design Development (Textile & Apparel): - Create motifs, textures,repeats, weave layouts using Illustrator and Photoshop. - Assist in designing Ready to wear, Demi Couture and Couture womens wear collections. - Develop handloom-compatible textiles for scarves and western apparel patterns. - Build color stories, silhouettes, patterns, mockups, and tech packs. - Work on textile and garment prototypes for collection building samples and pilots. 4. Pilot Management & Sampling: - Execute samples, prototypes, fabric trials, and fit corrections. - Ensure woven output matches CAD intent. - Document each sample thoroughly for R&D and production files. 5. Daily Cluster Operations: - Oversee day-to-day work inside the Madhavaram atelier. - Interact with weavers in the village for design developments. - Handle miscellaneous tasks required to keep the project running smoothly. REQUIRED SKILLS: - NID/NIFT graduate preferred (Textile Design or Fashion Design). - OR IIHT graduate with strong digital design skills. - Strong command of Illustrator, Photoshop, CADs, technical drawings. Understanding of: - reeds, counts, EPI/PPI. - pit/frame looms, dobby, jacquard, Jamdani. - pure/half-fine/tested zari. - Ability to manage weavers, suppliers, timelines, samples, and technical development. - Strong communication, documentation, and problem-solving skills. - Telugu-speaking preferred for cluster coordination. IDEAL CANDIDATE: A hybrid professional who understands design + ground execution, capable of managing the entire product cycle from concept to loom to sample. TO APPLY Email: [Confidential Information]