PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
- Product Development – 50%
- Monitor the product engineering to ensure seasonal margin target requirements are met.
- Manage and coordinate all development related activities to meet master calendar deadlines.
- Manage seasonal line plans & PLM placeholder setup.
- Support and liaise with VP of Merchandising and Design to ensure effective performance of the Product Developers.
- Responsible for publishing accurate Range Notes
- Fabric management – 15%
- Oversee seasonal request of new fabrics and development with all suppliers.
- In conjunction with the Developer and Designer, source fabric to best suited suppliers.
- Document and maintain all fabric information from development to production.
- Forecast, book and maintain sampling and bulk yardage booking each season.
- Maintain fabric files against style adoption regularly to ensure there is SMS fabric ordered accordingly.
- Manage tag on orders – book and maintain fabric, samples & bulk garment orders as required.
- Liase with PM for grouping of fabric bookings ensuring all documentation is complete for suppliers.
- Monitor fabric and trim inventory for cancelled and excess stock, to ensure they are utilized or cleared each season.
- Supply Chain & Costing – 35%
- With assistance from VP of Merchandising, VP Sales, prepare seasonal forecast by style/ category
- Prepare and manage weighted margin roll-up sheet to be used in cost negotiations
- Manage and finalize seasonal cost negotiations
- Identify when new suppliers are required in relation to new development or cost pressures. Co-ordinate the sourcing of those suppliers with VP of Merchandising, VP Global Supply Chain.
- Other Responsibilities & Duties
- Other tasks may be assigned from time to time which contribute to the overall success of the company.
- Manage sample buy
- PLM Support – season, style and component central setup.
- Co-ordinate, coach and manage the Product Developers.
- Some significant overseas travel required
REQUIREMENTS:
- College degree or equivalent experience
- Minimum of 7-10 years experience in apparel product development
- Outstanding communication and influencing skills to deal effectively with a broad range of internal & external clients.
- Strong analytical skills and commercial acumen to access & analyze information to make sound decisions.
- High level of understanding product costing.
- Sound negotiating skills with emphasis on purchasing.
- High level organizational and planning skills.