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Director, Product Development
Global Brands Group
New York, NY, United States
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Specific Responsibilities
The Director of Product Development manages the seasonal product development process, in collaboration with a cross-functional team that includes Design, Sales and Production, to plan, create and execute product lines.
Strategy & Innovation
• Engage in development of seasonal product strategies for category with Design and Sales teams, including trend identification, color palette, concept, category, style, costing and pricing; balance key items/fashion/basics; implement comprehensive costing and retail pricing framework to maximize consumer value; collaborate with Planning to identify and leverage previous best sellers in current, trend-appropriate assortments.
• Execute strategic direction and product plans set by Senior Director of Product Development for each brand and product category.
• Identify and suggest new product opportunities; leverage competitive market intelligence to gain and maintain marketplace advantages; isolate key, relevant trends for each category or brand, where appropriate; partner with Senior Director of Product Development to ensure brand cohesiveness.
Operations & Results
• Manage Product Development calendar for optimum operational efficiency; partner with Design, Production and Sales to ensure timely delivery of goods, sales growth, expense management and attainment of margin goals.Partner with partners overseas to source vendors and products; advise Sr. Director of Product Development to help plan allocation of developments and orders and balance workload among vendors to minimize risk; ensure superior quality for goods; identify and suggest solutions for quality and technical issues.
• Participate in concept meetings, product review meetings, including edits, board review, pre-costing and post-season reviews; Analyze costs and provide with margins and pricing suggestions. Track assignment of duty rates; create and track checklist of any or all legal requirements; verify that goods are placed in approved facilities and raise concerns to Sr. Director of Product Development.
• Manage creation and completion of Product Specifications Sheets; properly track of proto and sales samples; Manage with Sales and Design sampling for new collections and showroom display (twice a year), and manage all Production related samples.
Customers & Relationships
• Communicate and follow-up with internal and external constituents around the world, including customers, suppliers, vendors and licensors, where applicable; partner with partners overseas to source new fabrications, new suppliers and vendors and maintain relationships with existing partners, including internal constituents.
• Maintain relationships with collaborators and competitors.
Leadership & Teams
• Contribute positively to team dynamic and manage up where necessary.
• Attract, develop and retain talent.
• Monitor and evaluate performance of individuals.
Skills and Requirements
• Experience and understanding of wholesale Home Furnishing merchandising, manufacturing, global supply chain operations, and mass market distribution
• Entrepreneurial drive tempered by judgment and strong leadership skills
• Superior organizational skills and excellent communication skills; experience managing and motivating teams
• Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines; highly detail oriented, meticulous and creative
• Creativity, sensibility for merchandising and customer needs
• Knowledge of Home Textiles construction
• Bachelor’s Degree
• 5 - 8 years experience in Home Furnishing merchandising, private label buying or product development; relevant experience in categories
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office, proficiency in PLM and SAP preferred
GBG USA Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.