Product Development & China Sourcing Assistant

Job Description

Fashion, Apparel & Production Support
Salary: $2,800–$3,200/month, depending on experience
Location: Singapore
Languages: Fluent Mandarin and English required

About the Role
We are looking for a sharp, organised and curious Product Development & China Sourcing Assistant to support a founder-led fashion brand across product development, sourcing, sampling and production coordination.

This is a junior-to-entry level role, but it is an important one. You will help translate creative ideas into clear production references, communicate with China-based suppliers, track samples, organise materials, and support the development of new collections Lark and Peony’s new upcoming label.

You do not need to have deep industry experience or existing China contacts, but you must be fluent in Mandarin, highly detail-oriented, willing to learn, and comfortable working in a fast-moving small business.

Key Responsibilities

• Product Development Support
• Assist the founder and production team in developing new apparel and product ideas.
• Help prepare visual references, design notes, sample comments and production instructions.
• Track samples from request stage to final approval.
• Measure samples and compare them against approved references.
• Help check construction details, colours, trims, fabrics and finishing.
• Record all changes, approvals and pending actions clearly.

China Supplier Communication

• Communicate with China-based suppliers in Mandarin via WeChat, Taobao, 1688 or other platforms.
• Request quotations, lead times, MOQs, fabric options, trim options and sample updates.
• Summarise supplier replies clearly in English for the team.
• Follow up on pending questions, sample progress, delivery timelines and shipment status.
• Help clarify technical questions with suppliers when needed.

Sourcing

• Source fabrics, trims, buttons, linings, labels, packaging, paper bags, poly mailers and other business-related items.
• Compare prices, quality, MOQ, shipping cost and lead time.
• Organise sourcing options clearly so the team can make decisions quickly.
• Build and maintain a database of suppliers, materials, trims and packaging options.

Documentation & Tracking

• Maintain Trello or similar project boards for active styles and production projects.
• Upload fabric, lace, trim, lining, sample and supplier references.
• Record final approvals clearly so there is one source of truth.
• Keep material libraries, supplier lists, costing notes and production timelines updated.
• Help improve internal workflow so fewer details are missed.

Quality Control Support

• Check that materials, colours, trims and quantities match approved references.
• Help prepare QC checklists before production and shipment.
• Flag discrepancies early so problems can be corrected before bulk production.
• Support the team in organising photos, videos and measurement records.
• General Production & Operations Support
• Assist with photoshoot preparation, product tagging, packaging sourcing and launch preparation where needed.
• Support the team with ad hoc product, sourcing and production tasks.

Requirements

• Fluent in spoken and written Mandarin.
• Comfortable communicating in English.
• Diploma or degree in fashion, textiles, apparel, design, merchandising, business or related fields preferred.
• Fresh graduates are welcome.
• Basic understanding of fashion, garment construction, fabrics or apparel production is a plus.
• Proficient with Google Drive, spreadsheets, Trello or similar tools.
• Comfortable using Taobao, 1688, WeChat or Chinese supplier platforms.
• Organised, meticulous and able to follow through.
• Willing to ask questions, learn technical terms and improve quickly.
• Able to work in a small team where everyone helps across different areas.

Ideal Personality

We are looking for someone who is:

• Curious and resourceful
• Detail-oriented
• Not afraid to ask “why” or “how can we solve this?”
• Calm when dealing with suppliers
• Responsible with follow-up
• Able to document things clearly
• Humble enough to learn but sharp enough to think
• Comfortable in a hands-on, founder-led fashion business

Important Note
This is not a pure fashion design role where you only sketch or create moodboards.

This role is for someone who wants to learn how fashion products are actually developed, sourced, sampled, produced and launched. You will be involved in the practical side of bringing designs to life, especially through China supplier communication and production coordination. Travel will be required.