OPEN POSITION
TECHNICAL PRODUCT DEVELOPER WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR QUALITY
Application deadline: Sunday, September 6
We don’t believe in collections, trends or “sustainable clothing”. We believe in products that last and in repairing rather than replacing. Clothes should have many lives, not just one. That demands quality. Not as a buzzword, but as a job that actually has to be done — product by product, seam by seam, delivery by delivery.
If we are to achieve our ambition of becoming a large company with real influence, our products need to be rock-solid. They need to be usable for many years and, ideally, passed on to someone else. That becomes no easier when we almost always use natural materials.
Now we’re looking for someone ready to take on the challenge and take overall responsibility for making sure our clothes are solid enough to last.
ABOUT US
Northern Playground challenges the entire logic of the clothing industry: No collections, only timeless products, and repair as a goal in itself — not just marketing. We openly acknowledge that truly sustainable clothing doesn’t really exist. The only thing that actually helps is for a garment to be used for a long time.
That’s why quality isn’t a department here. It’s the very premise of what we do. If the garment doesn’t hold up, neither does our promise — and we’ll never achieve our ambitious vision of reducing the world’s consumption of clothing.
ABOUT THE ROLE
You will be a Technical Product Developer with particular responsibility for quality — from the first specification, through production, until the product has been tested, approved and delivered, as well as following up on claims and further development afterwards.
You’ll work closely with the designer, purchasing/logistics manager and our manufacturers, and you’ll be the voice that dares to say no when the quality isn’t good enough.
You’ll be part of a small product team, together with the Head of Design & Product Development and the Purchasing/Logistics Manager.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
– Define quality requirements for each product and actively use them when sourcing manufacturers, fabrics and trims
– Work with the designer on quality levels when selecting materials and trims
– Keep technical sheets for fabrics, qualities and trims up to date
– Manage dialogue with manufacturers and testing laboratories for quality assurance
– Measure and assess development samples, size sets, test samples and PPS, and be the critical voice deciding whether a PPS can be approved from a quality perspective
– Systematise and keep track of samples, lab dips and trims
– Order and follow up on shipments of samples and fabrics
– Participate in product meetings with a focus on quality and longevity
– Organise fit models and fittings in collaboration with design
– Define testing criteria, conduct wear testing of garments and follow up with testers from delivery through to feedback
– Carry out and register wash tests
– Act as the link between repairs/claims and design/production, so that we actually improve based on what we learn
– Carry out quality control of new deliveries, register deviations and handle claims and compensation with manufacturers
– Take primary responsibility for documenting EPR, DPP and ESPR
YOU'RE THE RIGHT PERSON IF...
– You have at least 5 years of relevant experience with clothing/textiles, production, quality control and product development
– You have relevant higher education
– You have a genuine interest in quality, durability and the environment
– You have a technical understanding of materials, construction and testing
– You’re willing to set strict requirements for manufacturers and stand your ground when things get difficult
– You’re systematic and structured, but don’t lose sight of the bigger picture when there are many threads to keep track of
– You’re professionally strong and self-driven — you don’t need someone to tell you what needs to be done
– You’re down-to-earth and enjoy working with passionate, engaged people
WHAT WE OFFER
Tekstilindustrien står for nesten 10 % av verdens klimagassutslipp, og få tar grep som skaper reell endring. Kvalitet er ikke et sidespor for oss, det er et av de viktigste tiltakene for varighet.
Vi kan ikke by på markedets høyeste lønn. Men vi kan by på reell innflytelse over produktene våre, et fag du får ta på alvor, og et selskap som faktisk mener det det sier.
– 100 % fast stilling
– Konkurransedyktige betingelser
– Arbeidssted i Oslo sentrum, Torggata
– Stor påvirkningsmulighet i et lite selskap med store ambisjoner
– Gleden ved å jobbe med kvalitetsklær, produsert i Europa
– Et uformelt og lidenskapelig team med korte beslutningsveier
– Digitalfri lunsj med ferskt brød og ferske skrøner
PRACTICAL INFO
Start date: As soon as possible
Application deadline: Sunday, September 6
Workplace: Central Oslo, Torggata
APPLICATION
Send us your CV and a short text about who you are and why you and Northern Playground are a good match. We don’t want a list telling us what you’ve done — we want to know what you believe in and what you’re passionate about.
