Stage II
Development Division Manager
| company: | Stage II |
| job title: | Development Division Manager |
| location: | Geelong South |
| work type: | Full-time |
| level: | Senior |
| closing: | 22.08.2026 |
Role Description
As our Development Division Manager, you will play a pivotal role within the business leading our development team to drive sales, innovation and superior product outcomes. You will be responsible for fostering existing client relationships along with growing the department to expand the development customer base.
Based in South Geelong with offices situated throughout Australasia, Stage II is a dynamic clothing company. With a strong wholesale presence across all of our brands and a rapidly growing retail footprint, Stage II is responsible for, and proud of, our well-known, market leading brands including All About Eve, Foxwood and Silent Theory Ladies to name a few. Our commitment to innovation, quality and design has established us as a respected leader within the fashion industry.
You will be responsible for delivering commercially successful product ranges through close collaboration with a wide variety of customers, internal teams, and suppliers. Combining creative design with strong commercial awareness, this role oversees the development process from concept and range planning through to production, ensuring alignment with customer expectations, market trends, quality standards, and margin targets. Encouraging collaboration, growth and accountability your leadership style will be inclusive and focused on high-performance team and product outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, mentor, and manage the Development team across Design, Development and QA, ensuring effective collaboration and successful delivery of business objectives.
- Collaborate with external customers to develop commercially balanced product ranges, presenting concepts in CAD or AI assisted visual forms aligning designs with customer expectations.
- Liaise directly with customers on product planning, range development, and seasonal direction.
- Analyse category performance, historical data, and best sellers to inform range strategy and product decisions, ensuring key commercial styles are incorporated into each range.
- Conceptualise and direct in-house graphic artists on print, graphic, and yardage developments.
- Source fabrics and apply strong fabrication and garment construction knowledge to support product development outcomes and ensure quality execution.
- Partner closely with buyers and Product Developers to optimise consistency, and high standards across fabric, trims, fit, workmanship and fit.
- Maintain strong awareness of local and international market trends, translating insights into relevant customer brands and product direction.
- Develop, manage, and monitor critical paths across the Development team to ensure timelines, deliverables, and key milestones are achieved.
- Problem solve quickly and effectively within a fast-paced, close-to-market environment, supporting both customers and internal teams.
- Respond quickly to trade reactive repeat order requirements and design briefs.
- Prepare detailed style tech packs, including garment specifications, for Product Development teams.
- Work collaboratively with Production teams to meet customer margin expectations and commercial targets.
- Demonstrate an understanding of garment costing and the ability to develop commercially viable products within required price points.
- Occasional short stay interstate travel
Skills and Experience
- 8+ years’ experience in fashion/apparel design or product development
- Adobe Creative Suite and Excel capability
- Knowledge of fabrics, garment construction, fit, and costing across all product categories.
- Experience in customer relationship management and range development
- Proven leadership experience managing
- Design and/or Product Development teams
- Ability to analyse trends, market performance, and sales data
- Strong organisational, problem-solving, and management skills
- Collaborative, creative, commercially minded, and people-focused approach
- Previous experience working with offshore manufacturers
Benefits
- Close-knit team
- Generous staff discounts
- Free On-Site Parking
- Family friendly working arrangements
If you are seeking an exciting opportunity to help shape and develop innovative brands and product while working alongside a passionate and talented design team, we would love to hear from you.
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