Product Development Manager - Watches

International Luxury Group (ILG of Switzerland AG); United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading luxury goods company is seeking a Product Manager to oversee product planning and execution. The role requires collaboration with various teams to ensure product alignment with company strategy. Candidates should have extensive experience in watch design and project management, with a strong focus on market trends and consumer insights. The position involves direct interaction with designers and sourcing teams to enhance product value and ensure timely delivery.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years' experience in watch design and development lifecycle.
• Expertise in trend research, consumer mapping, storyboarding, conceptualizing, prototyping, and material explorations.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for product planning and execution throughout the product lifecycle.
• Liaise with designers for project conceptualization and provide technical feedback.
• Lead the new collection presentation at hub and sales meetings.

Skills

Project Management

Trend Research

Consumer Mapping

Job description

The role is responsible for product planning and execution throughout the product lifecycle, including gathering and prioritizing product and customer requirements, defining the product vision, and collaborating closely with engineering, sales, marketing, and support to meet revenue and customer satisfaction goals.

The role ensures that the product aligns with the company's overall strategy and goals.

Product Design

• Receive briefs from the Brand Manager hub-wise and prepare detailed product plans to share with designers. Keep the Brand Manager informed about timelines based on project volume.
• Liaise directly with designers for project conceptualization, including arranging renderings and AI files. Provide technical feedback to the Product Manager.
• Review value engineering projects to ensure cost-effectiveness and suggest ideas to reduce costs and enhance product value.

Research and Market Analysis

• Understand various markets in detail, stay updated on market trends, and align product designs with the brand's vision and product journey.
• Provide qualitative feedback on designs, content, and ideas based on market surveys to the Brand Manager, and explore possibilities for the brand.

Product Development

• Proceed with sampling only after approvals from commercial heads, adhering to sampling policies.
• Interact directly with sourcing teams in Hong Kong and vendors to arrange, modify, or improve samples based on feedback from sales and brand teams.
• Obtain pricing approvals through the commercial head to ensure alignment with the brief.
• Lead the new collection presentation, including renderings and samples, at hub and sales meetings.

Miscellaneous

• Compile and optimize an archive of all designs used or unused within the brand/category.
• Maintain a brand bible with historical data, bestsellers, and case library.
• Ensure sample availability for international distributor meetings and hub meetings, following sample policies, in collaboration with the Brand and Product Managers.

Knowledge & Experience

Minimum of 5 years' experience in watch design and development lifecycle.

Expertise in trend research, consumer mapping, storyboarding, conceptualizing, prototyping, and material explorations.

Project management experience is required.