ppRalph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality.
For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets.
The Company's brand names, which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands.
/ppAt Ralph Lauren, we unite and inspire the communities within our company as well as those in which we serve by amplifying voices and perspectives to create a culture of belonging, ensuring inclusion, and fairness for all.
We foster a culture of inclusion through: Talent, Education Communication, Employee Groups and Celebration.
/ph3Position Purpose And Scope /h3pThe Product Development Lead is responsible for translating design vision into commercially viable, technically sound, and production-ready sweater and knit product for Purple Label.
This role serves as the primary technical expert and strategic partner to Design, Product Management, Sourcing, Quality Assurance teams, ensuring products are executed to Ralph Lauren's standards for fit, construction, quality, and craftsmanship.
/ppLeveraging deep expertise in yarn technology, sweater construction, knitting techniques, and manufacturing processes, the Product Technician oversees technical development from concept through bulk production.
This role partners directly with global factory and vendor teams to drive technical excellence, ensure consistency across manufacturing partners, resolve construction challenges, and deliver products that maintain brand integrity while meeting cost, quality, and calendar objectives.
/ph3Key Responsibilities /h3h3Factory Partnership Design Execution /h3ulliPartner directly with Design, Product Development, and global manufacturing teams to translate creative concepts into executable, production-ready garments.
/liliServe as the primary technical liaison to factories, ensuring design intent is accurately interpreted and maintained throughout development and production.
/liliCollaborate with vendors and manufacturing partners to identify technical solutions that preserve aesthetic integrity while supporting manufacturing ability, scalability, and cost.
/liliReview and validate construction methods, stitch structures, knit techniques, trim applications, and finishing processes to ensure alignment with brand standards.
/liliPartner with factories to understand knitting machine capabilities, programming requirements, gauge specifications, and production constraints.
/liliProvide technical guidance to improve garment execution, construction quality,



and production consistency across suppliers.
/liliSupport troubleshooting and resolution of technical challenges throughout development and production cycles.
/liliDrive timeline of garment execution to maintain calendar milestones /li /ulh3Yarn Construction Technical Expertise /h3ulliLead technical oversight of yarn specifications, including yarn count, gauge, composition, spinning method, ply construction, and performance characteristics.
/liliEvaluate the impact of yarn properties on garment appearance, fit, dimensional stability, hand feel, and overall product performance.
/liliPartner with suppliers and factory technicians to establish appropriate machine settings, yarn handling procedures, stitch structures, and knitting parameters.
/liliDirect development, review, and approval of tension swatches and knitted prototypes to ensure expected fabric performance and garment outcomes.
/liliAnalyze and validate construction standards to optimize fit, quality, consistency, and manufacturing efficiency.
/liliProvide subject matter expertise on sweater engineering, knit structures, yarn performance, and technical innovation opportunities.
/liliEnsure technical specifications are accurately documented and communicated across all development stages.
/li /ulh3Technical Development Product Lifecycle Management /h3ulliOversee the technical development process from concept through production approval.
/liliReview and approve technical packages, construction details, specifications, grading, and measurements to ensure readiness for manufacturing.
/liliManage prototype, fit sample, and pre-production sample evaluations, identifying risks and driving corrective actions.
/liliEstablish technical standards and best practices to ensure consistency across classifications and manufacturing partners.
/liliPartner cross-functionally to balance design intent, product quality, commercialization, cost targets, and production timelines.
/liliMonitor development milestones and proactively identify risks that could impact product delivery, quality, or performance.
/li /ulh3Quality Assurance Production Readiness /h3ulliPartner with Quality Assurance teams to establish inspection standards, measurement protocols, and garment evaluation criteria.
/liliConduct pre-production meetings with suppliers to review technical packages, construction requirements, quality expectations, and production readiness.
/liliEnsure factories fully understand quality standards, fit requirements, construction specifications,



and critical-to-quality details.
/liliDrive root cause analysis and corrective action planning when quality, fit, or production issues are identified.
/liliMonitor bulk production readiness and support implementation of preventative measures designed to minimize defects and improve consistency.
/liliEvaluate factory execution and recommend opportunities for continuous improvement in quality and manufacturing performance.
/li /ulh3Supplier Relationship Management /h3ulliBuild and maintain strong partnerships with global suppliers, factory technicians, and manufacturing leadership teams.
/liliInfluence and collaborate with external partners to deliver products that meet company standards for quality, consistency, and craftsmanship.
/liliFoster a culture of accountability and technical excellence across vendor partnerships.
/liliFacilitate technical discussions, development reviews, and problem-solving sessions with internal and external stakeholders.
/liliSupport supplier capability assessments and identify opportunities to elevate manufacturing performance and technical execution.
/li /ulh3Team Leadership Cross-Functional Partnership /h3ulliCoach and develop design team members, fostering technical expertise and continuous growth.
/liliDrive alignment across Design, Product Development, Merchandising, Sourcing, Production, and Quality teams.
/liliEstablish and improve technical development processes, tools, and workflows to increase efficiency and consistency.
/liliChampion innovation in sweater construction, yarn technologies, and product execution methodologies.
/liliServe as a trusted advisor and technical expert throughout the product lifecycle.
/li /ulh3Experience /h3ulliPast experience in sweater technical design, product technical development, apparel engineering, or knitwear manufacturing.
/liliDeep expertise in sweater construction, yarn technology, knitting processes, machine capabilities, and garment engineering.
/liliStrong understanding of global manufacturing processes, fit development, quality standards, and product commercialization.
/liliExperience partnering directly with domestic and international factories and suppliers.
/liliProven ability to manage multiple product categories and complex development calendars.
/liliStrong leadership, collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills.
/liliAbility to influence cross-functional partners and external vendors in a fast-paced environment /li /ulpStarting base salary equal to € ****** (full-time).
Once the successful candidate is selected, the salary offer will be based on objective and gender-neutral criteria such as experience, skills, responsibilities, and location.
/ppContractual level: CCNL Commercio - Level Quadro.
/ppMeal Vouchers: €8.65/day per worked day of at least 6 hours.
/p /p #J-*****-Ljbffr

📌 Product Development Lead, Sweaters & Knits, Purple Label (Casalecchio di Reno)
🏢 Ralph Lauren
📍 Casalecchio di Reno