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Product Development Manager
URBN
Philadelphia, PA, United States
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URBN: Production + Product Development Manager- Anthropologie Accessories
Founded in 1992, Anthropologie (www.anthropologie.com) operates more than 175 retail stores in North America and Europe, and ships to over 100 countries worldwide via our ecommerce channels. We cater to fashionable, educated, and creative women between the ages of 28 to 45, who desire an inspirational shopping experience. To that end, we are committed to exceeding her expectations in unexpected, delightful ways. Our unique product assortment includes women's apparel and accessories, home furnishings and décor, gifts, beauty, and found objects. Our mission is to provide our customer with an unimagined experience.
Title
URBN Production + Product Development Manager- Anthropologie Accessories
Reports to
Executive Director of Production, Accessories
Supervises
Production Coordinator
Product Development Responsibilities
Production Responsibilities
Product Solutions
• Own and drive product development with the cross functional team and vendors in partnership with merchants. Understand aesthetic & technical direction of product to guide best product realization.
• Maintain current knowledge of vendor’s strengths and weaknesses. Understand all methods in marketplace for solving design requirements. Propose vendor allocation. Gather development timing.
• Ensure all development meets calendar requirements. Continually assess time impact to deliverable. Contribute on resolution.
• Create & share product risk assessments that are robust, all-encompassing & fluid for each collection throughout the development cycle of the product.
Fit + Technical Packs
• Create details technical packs for shoes and accessories monthly or as needed to meet development needs by category.
• Own all revisions and fit comments to be sent to vendor by specified due date to build own brand product assortment.
• Follow-up on all revised samples, checking for accuracy and timeliness with vendors.
Costing and Cost Engineering
• Manage vendor cost breakdowns for all styles. Organize and communicate initial costs to Director and buying as needed to develop into established IMU goals.
• Validate & challenge any discrepancies in costing to vendor. Negotiate programs not meeting goals.
• Own communication of accurate & finalized cost to buyers.
Sample Tracking
• Own the development request & monitor delivery of samples from vendor. Report status to cross functional teams. Troubleshoot for any roadblock to on time delivery.
• Check samples for accuracy & alert cross functional teams on any sample accuracy call outs
• Work with vendor & agents on sample accuracy & quality call outs.
• Make decisions on acceptable substitute materials for sampling, cost options for development, and delivers production ready styles.
Continuous Improvement
• Understand relevant retail product development intelligence & report on product within the Global market.
• Own special projects as needed to move development towards organizational goals.
• Close working relationship with cross functional teams: merchandising, regional development partners and vendors.
• Communicate openly and directly, listening to others and speaking effectively. Lead meetings and represent sourcing department at cross functional meetings.
Leadership
• Responsible for management of production coordinator; including monitoring performance, training, providing motivation, and constructive feedback.
• Perform manager duties for entire category including all production management
Sourcing
• Source new fabrics through travel and fabric shows. Manage the process of new fabric developments - book fabric, propose upsides on season core fabrics, etc.
• Manage factory allocations, Time & Action, and monthly forecasting. Maintain monthly consistency in production flow
• Manage time & action calendar and the approval process to ensure schedules and needs are met and anticipate potential quality or delivery concerns
• Constantly review sources with regards to performance, and develop new sources as needed and in accordance to global market trends. Proactively assess risk and opportunities, and make changes as needed.
Work In Process (WIP)
• Manage the order placement process to ensure the best possible prices and deliveries are acquired
• Oversee the WIP reports to anticipate any delivery concerns
• Daily manage all PO revisions within Tradestone purchase order management system.
Qualifications
• 7 + years of progressive experience in product development, sourcing and production positions.
• Extensive Knowledge of Global Manufacturing
• Technical knowledge of raw material development, sourcing and product construction
• Strong organizational and communication skills necessary to orchestrate the efforts of others in order to achieve the desired end result
• Problem solving and troubleshooting skills that allow for a proactive approach to the business
• Ability to manage and direct others effectively
• Ability to visit a buying office or factory and access whether or not the facility has the necessary infrastructure and is capable of handling the Company's development and production needs
Education
BA/BS in Fashion Merchandising or related field.
Travel
Location
Some travel required.
Philadelphia, PA
The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.