Kathmandu: Product Development Coordinator

Join Our Team at Kathmandu — Product Development Coordinator

Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Brand: Kathmandu

Are you passionate about product development and thrive on keeping complex projects organised and moving forward? Do you enjoy working with cross-functional teams, coordinating multiple workstreams, and bringing great products to life?

We're looking for a Product Development Coordinator to join our Product team at Kathmandu. In this role, you'll provide vital coordination and administrative support to the Product Development team, helping ensure products progress efficiently from concept through to commercialisation.

Working closely with Product Developers, Product Managers, Designers and offshore supplier partners, you'll play a key role in maintaining development timelines, managing technical documentation, coordinating samples and supporting the day-to-day activities that enable our teams to deliver high-quality products to market.

Why You’ll Love Working With Us

At Kathmandu, we believe your job should enrich your life — not just fill your time. When you join our team, you get access to a range of genuinely valuable benefits:

🌿 A brand with purpose

• We are B Corp certified — sustainability and people are at the heart of everything we do. Work for a business that prioritises protecting the planet and giving back.

🏔 Gear you’ll love at prices you’ll love more

• Generous staff discounts across Kathmandu and Rip Curl. Access to additional perks across our wider brand family.

🌏 Grow with us

• Meaningful career opportunities across stores, support offices, and distribution in Australia and New Zealand. Pathways into more departments.

🤝 A culture built on teamwork and adventure

• Work alongside people who share your passion for the outdoors. Be part of a supportive, fun and inclusive team environment.

As the Product Development Coordinator you will provide coordination and administrative support that helps the Product Development team deliver products on time, to specification and ready for market.

You will:

• Coordinate and track product development activities to support seasonal calendars and key milestones.

• Support day-to-day administration that enables efficient product development workflows.

• Responsible for the development of Accessories and Logowear categories.

• Responsible for Repeat Product categories, including seasonal colour updates and ongoing product maintenance requirements.

• Assist Product Developers with supplier communication and development follow-up activities.

• Update product information and development changes within PLM systems.

• Assist with the administration, and distribution of Tech Packs.

• Help ensure development information, specifications and records remain accurate and up to date.

• Measure, record and manage prototype samples throughout the development process.

• Coordinate prototype reviews, meetings and sample organisation.

• Maintain the physical Product Development calendar and support team scheduling requirements.

• Maintain organised sample storage, tracking and product development records.

• Build effective working relationships with Design, Product Management, Compliance, Sourcing and Materials teams.

What We’re Looking For…

You’ll thrive in this role if you:

• Have experience within an apparel, product development or coordinator role.

• Are highly organised and capable of managing multiple deadlines and priorities.

• Have excellent administration and coordination skills with strong attention to detail.

• Are confident using Microsoft Office applications.

• Have experience using Adobe Illustrator or a willingness to learn.

• Have experience with to Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems.

• Are comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities.

• Have strong communication skills and enjoy collaborating with a range of stakeholders.

• Are a proactive problem solver who can identify issues and support practical solutions.

• Have exposure to offshore supplier communication (beneficial but not essential).

• Bring a positive, solutions-focused approach and a willingness to learn.

About Kathmandu…

Kathmandu is a leading global outdoor brand whose journey began in Aotearoa, New Zealand in 1987. We believe out there is where we thrive. It liberates, challenges, and inspires us. Our gear is built to empower, so more people can embrace adventure. It’s tested in New Zealand’s wildest conditions — because if it performs here, it can handle anywhere. As a proud certified B Corp, we prioritise people and planet in everything we do — out of respect for the natural world that inspires us. Our pioneering approach to sustainable innovation ensures every product is built to perform and made with a lighter impact on the environment.

We've been out there for almost 40 years living our best lives. Now you can too. Join us on our mission to improve the wellbeing of the world through the great outdoors.

Ready to Start Your Next Adventure?

If you're passionate about product development, love organisation and coordination, and want to be part of creating world-class outdoor products, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply now and join Kathmandu as our next Product Development Coordinator.

Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at KMD Brands

At KMD Brands, we believe that diversity makes us stronger. We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to be themselves. We celebrate the unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of our people — across age, gender, identity, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and physical and mental ability. We know that when our team reflects the communities we serve, we create better outcomes for everyone. We proudly acknowledge and pay respect to Tangata Whenua, the Indigenous Nations, First Peoples, and Custodians of the lands and waterways on which our brand head offices reside in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia and the United States. Their enduring connection to land, waters, and culture continues to inspire and guide us.