Our Client is an alternative clothing brand. We are looking for someone who is passionate about product development, and ready to learn and grow in a team environment. In this role, you’ll be leading product development and technical team members while overseeing the daily operations of our client’s design office. You will be responsible for managing costs, relationships, and the product development calendar.
Role responsibilities
Ensure smooth operation of the Brighton, England office
Lead and oversee Product development, Tech Design and fabric R&D direct reports and their teams
Manage the entire product development process and execution for all categories
Collaborate with Design at all stages of development process including raw material & trim development and sourcing, Techpacks hand off, proto and production fittings, cost strategy execution
Partner with Design and production for the creation of development calendars. Ensure teams hit deadlines and key deliverables
Initiate vendor allocation and align with Production on strategic decision
Determine seasonal costing strategy and partner with merchandising on retail targets by setting cost targets
Create opportunities with Design and technical design to engineer product cost while ensuring quality and maintaining design intent
Partner with Tech Design and Design to maintain and create consistent and superior Fit.
Develop and maintain strong cross-functional relationships with Design, Merchandising and production to lead brand growth strategies.
Cultivate and manage strategic relationships with vendors and mills
Partner with Production to identify and establish new vendors partnership
Mentor, coach and develop career path for direct reports and their teams
Plan teams’ capacity and identify opportunities for processes ‘ improvement and additional resources
The ideal candidate
Compassionate Leader: you are genuinely interested in the success of others, a champion for their goals; you’re viewed as approachable and fair; you're personally committed, and actively work, to continuously improve yourself and your team
Reliable Communicator: you are good about keeping people updated about changes, and your written and verbal communication is clear and concise
Collaborative Negotiator: you can negotiate skillfully in tough situations with both internal and external groups, settle differences with minimum disruption, and win concessions while empowering relationships
Organized: you can orchestrate multiple activities at once to accomplish a goal, and marshal resources effectively to deliver results
Solid Decision-Maker: your solutions and suggestions are based on wisdom, critical thinking, experience, and sound judgment
Process-Oriented; you’re good at figuring out what it takes to get something done, knowing what to measure and how to measure it
Knowledgeable regarding fit, fabric, garment construction, trims and applications
Your Experience Includes:
Experience in a leadership role within Product Development
Managing multiple overseas vendors
Bonus If You’ve:
A personal or professional affinity for the alternative lifestyle community and fashion landscape