Product Development Manager - Handloom & Apparel

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: info@shrekahnth.com