Our Client, a leading Toy Retailer is looking for a Product Developer to join a fast-paced growing product development department within an ambitious young manufacturing & retail business. As a Product Developer you will be involved in all aspects of bringing a new product/category to market - from the initial concept right through to product launch. Ensuring that all products deliver against the Clients standards & values and that innovation & newness reflects customer needs.
Your key role will be to ensure all products developed and managed meet technical, price, production and end consumer parameters. Taking responsibility for successful handover of products to cross functional process colleagues. The Product Developer will work closely with key development stakeholder teams to manage the development throughout the entire product lifecycle.
Job Responsibilities include:
Research products/categories globally to identify the size of the opportunity and the commercial return
Build product ranges proposals; no. of SKUs, pricing architecture, planogram solutions
Seek, research and develop (with Merchandisers) new product(s)/categories with a suitable factory
Partner with Merchandiser, Supply Chain and QA personnel to ensure all projects are delivered on-cost, on-spec, on-time and products are ethical & safety compliant
Making sure that all new products are correctly costed and deliver target ROI
Working daily with HK office, Factories, QA and cross functional team to deliver a successful PDR process
Assign and direct and evaluate team’s work assignments; strategically prioritize workload and adjust resourcing plans as necessary
Collaborate with the Design team on generating new concepts, product ideas, artwork, packaging solutions, copy & sign off of overall packaging artwork
Anticipate, analyse and resolve project issues; escalate issues and give recommendations for creative solutions
Drafting and signing off on product specifications and documentation
Presenting products, ranges & categories to customers
Review customer retail sales and assess product performance
Reviewing, challenging and updating New Product Development procedures and ensuring that all staff are fully compliant
Skills & Experience:
Proven experience in Toy/Gift Industry and familiar with Far East sourcing and negotiation
Experience with sourcing, manufacturing, buying and costs for toy consumer products and licensed brands. Products include Products includes Arts & Crafts, Dough, Dress up, Make up, Outdoor and Dolls so previous experience in these categories would be a distant advantage.
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks, projects & colleagues in a fast-paced environment
Ability to provide strong leadership to drive innovative and cost-effective product & packaging solutions
Experience of working with creative professionals (designers) within the company
Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills
Demonstrates a "hands-on" team approach to solving problems
Strong attention to detail
Strong analytical skills
Proactive and enthusiastic in approaching challenges, with a solution-oriented mindset and uses mature discretion in approaching situations
Ability to travel globally for sourcing & attend trade fairs
Ref: 101093