Product Developer

About Nero

Nero is redefining the future of activewear by rejecting polyester and building a new category of performance apparel from natural, luxury fabrics. Launched in 2025 with our hero product the
all-natural Active Short

made from 100% organic cotton and 100% merino wool Nero has already sold out multiple production runs.

Our mission is to prove that high-performance activewear doesn't need plastic. Every Nero garment begins with
fabric innovation

, and pushing boundaries in construction. This isn't sportswear as the industry knows it. We are rebuilding it from the ground up.

The Opportunity

This is not a traditional product development role. At Nero, you won't be tweaking polyester leggings or following industry templates. You'll be
inventing an entirely new category of activewear

, where every fabric, trim, and construction choice requires creativity, technical mastery, and a willingness to break rules.

As
Senior Product Developer

, you'll be the driving force that turns bold design and fabric concepts into world-class products. You'll oversee the full development cycle from fabric sourcing to tech pack creation, through all sampling stages, to final production. This is a chance to shape the DNA of a generational brand and as Nero's first hire, you'll also have the opportunity to grow with the business and
earn equity as we scale globally.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the sourcing and development of all-natural, high-performance fabrics, trims, and finishes.
• Work closely with mills to explore new fabric technologies and dyeing/finishing processes.
• Build strong relationships with mills and suppliers worldwide, prioritising sustainability, quality, and innovation.
• Own the product cycle from
  concept through to bulk production.
• Create and manage
  tech packs, BOMs, and spec sheets

with accuracy and detail.
- Oversee the
entire sampling process

— from proto to pre-production to shipment samples.
- Build out cohesive collections

, balancing core essentials with breakthrough innovation pieces.
- Run fittings, refine garment construction, and ensure all products meet functional and performance needs.
- Oversee all
lab testing, wear trials, and fabric performance checks.
- Anticipate and resolve potential quality or performance issues across development and production stages.
- Act as Nero's main contact with mills and factories across EU and FE.
- Drive the
critical path

across multiple categories and collections, ensuring deadlines and quality standards are met.
- Collaborate closely with design, operations, and creative to launch new products.
- Help build the foundations of Nero's product engine, setting standards and processes for long-term scalability.
- Mentor junior team members as the product department expands.

What We're Looking For

• Proven industry experience in
  product development or garment technology

, ideally in performance, sportswear, or luxury apparel.
- Deep technical knowledge of
fabric sourcing, natural fibers, finishing techniques, and garment construction

.
- Strong experience in creating
tech packs, BOMs, spec sheets

, and managing the sampling process from proto through to production.
- Expertise in fitting, patterns, grading, and fabric performance testing.
- Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Excel.
- Strong critical path management skills across multiple categories.
- A mentality that rejects normal industry timelines — if a deadline is set, you deliver. You find a way to make it happen.
- Excellent supplier communication and negotiation skills,
with willingness to travel internationally.
- Obsessive attention to detail, with a solutions-driven and innovative mindset.
- Passion for fabrics and innovation — and a belief that the future of activewear is natural, not synthetic.

What We Offer

• The chance to be part of a
  billion-dollar vision from the ground floor

, helping define the standards of a new global sportswear leader.
- Ownership of product creation in a company where
fabric innovation is the core

, not an afterthought.
- Travel opportunities to mills, factories, and suppliers worldwide.
- A fast-moving, creative, and ambitious team environment where ideas are executed with speed.
- The opportunity to help shape a brand that will stand against giants like Nike and Lululemon, but on its own terms.

Equity opportunity

— as Nero's first hire, you won't just build the brand, you'll have the chance to
own part of it

. Equity will vest over time, ensuring you grow with the business as it scales globally.