Product developer sweaters (flatknit)

ROLE DESCRIPTION:

• Liaise with Design for initial sourcing initiatives (e.g. sourcing trips) during Global Creative Research based on draft range plan obtained from Product Merchandising, with the objective to foster innovation and to ensure competitive price points
• Advise Design during development process regarding cost implications and provide call-outs regarding quality risks to the product
• Review lead times of fabrics and trims/ possible lead times with B&P, and determine sourcing strategy accordingly
• Responsible for product management throughout the development process, by attending key meetings (e.g. proto review, final price meeting, SMS review), and advising on possible improvements of product and margins , and signing off (pre production) samples
• Set target FOB prices with the objective to achieve margins, as set by Product Merchandising
• Negotiate FOB prices with Buying Office throughout the development and production process, ensuring margins are maintained for actual order quantities
• Review and monitor bulk orders with Buying & Planning to ensure timeliness of style bookings for bulk delivery and advise on pre-booking of raw materials
• Send vendor requests for protos and SMS to vendors, elaborate on requests during handover (on site) using technical packs, sketches, and measurement charts, assist vendors during production, and manage escalation of issues during (bulk) production
• Involved in risk assessment (e.g. checking test results for materials and garments), and collaborating with Central Quality Assurance regarding any quality issues
• Oversee and consult on operational activities of team, including product management- and administrative activities , and act on call-outs made by team
• Ensure accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of data in PLM (e.g. BOM, prices), by continuously updating the system
• Determine vendor allocation in collaboration with Buying Office and revise allocation when changes occur
• Manage learning and development of Product Development team
• Provide (ad hoc) analyses and reporting on KPIs related to product development (e.g. margins, vendor performance, season evaluation)

KEY ACTIVITIES:

• Sourcing for development
• Design advisory Product management
• Operational activity supervision
• Vendor management
• Team management
• Information maintenance
• Ad hoc

REPORTING LINE(S)

Manager Product Development

SKILLS, CAPABILITIES & EXPERIENCE 

• Technical product knowledge
• Negotiation skills
• Managerial skills
• Analytical mindset
• In-depth understanding of production processes

COORDINATION POINTS

• Design
• Technical Development
• Product Merchandising
• Buying & Planning
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Central Quality Assurance
• (Direct) Vendors
• Innovation team
• Buying Offices
• Trim team