F

Fanatics

China-based licensed sports merchandise retailer

Junior Product Developer

Full-Time
No salary listed
Entry
Bachelor's
Manchester, UK
HybridThree days in-office per week; occasional domestic travel.
Product

About the job

Requirements
  • A genuine interest in product development, sportswear, or apparel, with a strong willingness to learn and grow within the field.
  • Strong attention to detail and organisational skills, with the ability to maintain accuracy across multiple development trackers, Bills of Materials, and Tech Packs simultaneously.
  • A proactive attitude, willingness to support the wider team, and ownership of tasks.
  • Good written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to liaise effectively with colleagues across teams and external partners.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel; experience with Product Lifecycle Management systems is advantageous but not required.
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritise effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
  • Willingness to be based at the Manchester office on a hybrid basis, with occasional domestic travel to support product development activities.
Responsibilities
  • Collaborate with colleagues across Product Development, Design, Sourcing, and Production to support cross-functional execution.
  • Build working relationships with internal and external partners and represent the Product Development team professionally.
  • Support the creation and upkeep of Bills of Materials and Tech Packs, ensuring product documentation is complete and meets global product standards.
  • Assist with the development and approval of labels, badges, and trims.
  • Help coordinate prototype, SMS, and fit sample flow between internal teams and external partners, keeping the development calendar on track.
  • Support compilation of metrics and reporting to track on-time sample performance and quality.
  • Build foundational knowledge of fabric, trim, construction, and product engineering by shadowing and supporting senior team members.
  • Identify opportunities to improve data input accuracy and record keeping across Product Development systems, including Product Lifecycle Management systems and trackers.
  • Support preparation for seasonal milestone meetings, including Proto/Costing Reviews and Line Freeze, ensuring materials and information are ready in good time.
  • Explore how digital tools and emerging technologies can enhance product development workflows and outcomes.
  • Maintain accurate, up-to-date product development trackers, recording key dates and milestones.
  • Attend fit meetings with senior colleagues, take detailed notes on product change requests, and follow up on required actions.
  • Manage day-to-day administrative and coordination tasks, including in/out parcel coordination and communication with internal and external partners.
  • Apply AI and technology to improve efficiency, quality, and outcomes; use data and digital tools to inform decisions and enhance performance; and contribute to innovation and continuous improvement.
Desired Qualifications
  • A relevant degree or equivalent experience in Product Development, Fashion, Textiles, or a related field is desirable but not essential.
  • Experience with Product Lifecycle Management systems.

About the company

Fanatics China is a joint venture between Fanatics Inc. and Hillhouse Capital that localizes and scales licensed sports merchandise for China. It designs, manufactures, and markets fan gear for Chinese consumers, operating a multi-channel model that includes building and running e-commerce sites for global leagues and teams, exploring online marketplaces, and developing physical retail concepts. Its product workflow combines technology, data, and on-demand manufacturing to manage the entire supply chain, enabling fast response to demand. The company differentiates itself through a China-focused approach backed by Hillhouse’s network and investments, its end-to-end vertical commerce model, and partnerships with hundreds of sports organizations, which together help it navigate China’s complex retail landscape. The goal is to satisfy a previously underserved Chinese market for licensed sports merchandise by creating localized products and channels that connect fans with official gear.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

Growth Equity (Venture Capital)

Total Funding

$5.2B

Headquarters

Huangpu, China

Founded

1995

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Fanatics Sports & Casino launched September 2, 2026, broadening monetization beyond merchandise.
  • Fanatics Collectibles opened Paris flagship plans after London's success, expanding global premium retail.
  • NFL added Fanatics as official betting operator, validating the company's sportsbook ambitions.

What critics are saying

  • Three antitrust suits were dismissed September 30, 2026, but Panini's case still threatens.
  • Fanatics laid off 286 Florida workers for Riverview closure effective March 1, 2026.
  • Sportsbook and prediction-markets integration intensifies rivalry with DraftKings, FanDuel, and regulators.

What makes Fanatics unique

  • Fanatics controls leagues, teams, and factories through vertical commerce, not simple retail markup.
  • Fanatics signed long-term NFL, UEFA, FIFA, and Ryder Cup rights in 2026.
  • Fanatics China pairs Hillhouse Capital with local manufacturing and Shanghai operations.

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Benefits

  • Work Life Balance - At Fanatics we place our focus on results and empowerment and encourage you to enjoy your time on and OFF the field with our competitive time off policies.
  • Recognition and Rewards Program - Fanatics values our internal fans too! Our programs are designed to thank and reward Fanatics athletes for their hard work and commitment to winning as a team.
  • Company Sponsored Events - From breakfast to happy hour and every hour in between – Fanatics employees can enjoy time together at one of our many company events.
  • Fanatics.com Employee Discount - As an employee you will receive a special discount on all of your favorite sports merchandise and memorabilia.
  • Give Back - Fanatics cares about the fans around us. We encourage you to partner up with your teammates in giving back and serving the communities where we work and play.
  • Meet & Greets - You never know who will show up to the office. You might just meet one of your all-time favorite athletes.
  • Invest in You - Here at Fanatics we want you to accomplish your goals. We offer tuition reimbursement.
  • Healthy Lifestyle - Fanatics cares about helping and supporting our teams in their busy lifestyles. Through wellness relationships with fitness and weight management partners we are here to support you in whatever your lifestyle goals.
  • Wellness Coverage - Your health is important to you – and it’s important to us too! We offer a number of benefit plan options for convenience and flexibility.
  • Financial Security - Through our plans, Fanatics offers you a way to budget for health care expenses that you’d typically pay for out of pocket.
  • Retirement - The sooner you begin planning for your retirement, the better. Fanatics offers generous plans to help you prepare for the future.
  • Network of Support - Fanatics understands that sometimes you may need someone in your corner. Through the Life Assistance Program, you and your family have access to support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Company News

CNBC
Sep 30th, 2025
Scorability raises $40M to transform recruiting

Scorability, a sports tech platform, raised $40 million in funding led by Bluestone Equity Partners, with participation from Fanatics and others. The startup, founded in 2023 by Brian Cruver, aims to modernize college sports recruiting. It has 1.2 million athletes and 3,000 college sports program users. Scorability is free for athletes, while colleges pay $10k-$40k annually. The platform simplifies recruitment by providing comprehensive data and AI-driven tools for coaches.

Instagram
Aug 25th, 2025
Black Sports Business Symposium on Instagram: "Day one of #BlackSportsBiz launched the inaugural @BlackSportsWallStreet + @Pitch.Black.Sports, presented by @Fanatics, while also featuring @CariChampion, Eli Kumekpor, @RyanHoward_006 and @1JeremiahBrown! 🎤🛍️ Congrats to @Reel_Analytics for winning Pitch Black Sports! We can’t wait to see what’s next for Cory and his team. 📈 🎥: @travisellisonproductions @aumemedia"

417 likes, 21 comments - blacksportsbiz on May 30, 2024: "Day one of #BlackSportsBiz launched the inaugural @BlackSportsWallStreet + @Pitch.Black.Sports, presented by @Fanatics, while also featuring @CariChampion, Eli Kumekpor, @RyanHoward_006 and @1JeremiahBrown! 🎤🛍️ Congrats to @Reel_Analytics for winning Pitch Black Sports! We can’t wait to see what’s next for Cory and his team. 📈 🎥: @travisellisonproductions @aumemedia".

Wall Street Journal
Dec 8th, 2024
WSJ News Exclusive | Fanatics Valuation Rises to $18 Billion as It Plans to Expand Sports Offerings

Fanatics raised a new round of funding valuing the online sports-merchandise retailer at $18 billion, people familiar with the matter said, roughly tripling its valuation from a year ago.

Sports Yahoo
Sep 12th, 2024
Fanatics Launching Events Division With Investment From IMG

Fanatics is launching a new events vertical, in partnership with IMG, to capitalize on the company’s growing suite of business ventures, including merchandise, memorabilia, fashion, music, trading cards and sports betting. Starting next year, Fanatics Events will create fan festivals that feature athletes and brands from across the industry, including those in the Fanatics orbit. […]

Fanatics, Inc.
Sep 12th, 2024
History — Fanatics Inc

What began as a single e-commerce deal in 2002 has grown into a mobile-first, tech and data-fueled consumer brand, built to satisfy global fans who purchase gear in-the-moment when passion is burning highest. Fanatics provides the ultimate shopping experience to sports fans whether buying gear onlin