Product Development & Design Assistant
Function: Product/ Design
Reports to: Head of Design & Garment Tech
Level: Exec (green)
Location: Leeds (Colton) 2mins from Junction 46 – M1, 20mins from Leeds Station
Compensation: Dependant on experience
Hours: Full time (37.5 / wk)
Background
Gym King was founded in 2015 and has grown from ‘bedroom brand’ to a leading athleisure company with £26m sales in the most recent financial period, available in 1,000 retail stores and online at thegymking.com. A highly entrepreneurial business driven as a tight, fast-moving SME.
Gym King believes that we are all fighting for something and that something can be achieved with the right mindset and self-belief. We believe that it is not just our products which set us apart, but also our people and we have an ambition to build a team of the most talented individuals in our industry.
The Role
We are looking for a highly organised, creative and commercially minded Product Development & Design admin Assistant to join our fast-paced athleisure team, working across both Men’s and Women’s collections.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a strong passion for fashion, sportswear and lifestyle product who wants to develop their career within a growing, ambitious brand.
You will support the design and product development process from initial concept through to final production, working closely with the Design, Garment Techn and Buying teams.
The ideal candidate will have a strong eye for detail, an understanding of athleisure trends and fabrics, and the ability to balance creative direction with commercial product requirements.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist the design team with the development of Men’s and Women’s seasonal collections.
- Assist with the development of colourways, fabrications, trims and branding.
- Create and update product specification packs and design documentation.
- Prepare artwork, technical drawings where required and product information for development.
- Support the development of graphics, logos, prints, trims and branding applications.
- Maintain accurate product information throughout the development process.
- Assist with sample reviews, fittings and amendments.
- Record comments and ensure development changes are communicated clearly to suppliers.
- Assist with sourcing and evaluating fabrics, trims and components.
- Develop an understanding of technical performance requirements including stretch, breathability, moisture management, durability and comfort.
- Maintain fabric, trim and sample libraries.
- Attend sample reviews and fittings where required.
- Assist with checking samples against design specifications.
- Assist in identifying issues relating to branding, fabric, colour and finishing.
- Communicate amendments clearly to suppliers and internal teams.
- Track samples through the development process and ensure deadlines are met.
- Work closely with internal Design, Technical, and Buying teams.
- Communicate with overseas suppliers and factories regarding development requirements.
- Help manage critical path deadlines and sample submissions.
- Maintain organised development files and product records.
- Support the wider team with day-to-day product and design administration.
About You
You are someone who lives and breathes product. You notice the details that others miss — the hand-feel of a fabric, the fit of a garment, the placement of a logo, the right shade of a colour or the small design detail that makes a product feel premium.
- Passionate about fashion-athleisure, sportswear and lifestyle product.
- Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
- Commercially aware and able to understand what makes a product desirable and saleable.
- Creative with a strong eye for colour, fabric, proportion and detail.
- Confident working across both Men’s and Women’s product.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.
- A strong communicator who can work effectively with designers, suppliers and internal teams.
- Proactive, enthusiastic and willing to take ownership.
- Comfortable managing multiple products and development stages simultaneously.
- Curious about new fabrics, technologies, trends and construction techniques.
- Able to balance brand identity, trend direction and commerciality.
Skills & Experience
- 2 years previous experience within fashion, sportswear, athleisure or product development.
- Understanding of the product development process from design through to production.
- Strong organisational and administration skills.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Good understanding of garment construction, fabrics and trims.
- Experience using Adobe Illustrator
- Experience creating technical drawings / CADs.
- Strong knowledge of Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
- Ability to create clear product documentation and communicate product details accurately.
- Experience working with both Men’s and Women’s product.
- Experience communicating directly with overseas suppliers.
- Fashion or textile-related degree or equivalent industry experience.
Gym King values:
- Fearless
- Focussed
- Driven
- Resilient
- Team Player
The successful candidate will demonstrate behaviours that are aligned to these values.
Benefits:
- Salary commensurate with experience
- 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays) option to ‘buy’ up to 2 extra days
- Free onsite parking
- Relaxed and friendly working environment
- 50% Gym King discount for staff, friends & family
- 10 days sick pay (after completion of probationary period)
- Hybrid working (1 day a week work from home, usually on a Tuesday or Wednesday)
- Health Cash Plan (after completion of probationary period)
- GK profit related bonus scheme
- Flexible start (between 08:00-10:00) & finish (between 16:00 – 18:00) times
- Staff shop with heavily discounted sample Gym King products
- Cycle to Work
- Fully paid for annual staff party
Working hours: Due to the nature of this role, the hours will be full time (37.5 hours per week) Monday-Friday, although a flexible approach is required at times to meet the needs of the role.
Location: This role is based at Unit 6 Temple Point, Bullerthorpe Lane, Colton, Leeds LS15 9JL. 2 minutes off the M1 J46. 20 minutes from Leeds station. There may be a requirement to travel as part of this role.
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee discount
- Flexitime
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Profit sharing
- Sick pay
- Work from home
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Leeds LS15 9JL: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):
- What salary are you seeking?
Experience:
- garment design: 1 year (preferred)
- Product development: 1 year (preferred)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
