Our client a growing consumer-focused business in Dubai is actively seeking a Product Design & Development Manager who can transform ideas into commercially viable products. The role combines product design development materials packaging supplier management sampling costing and production coordination.
Location: Dubai UAE
Package :-4-5K
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Translate product ideas and brand direction into commercially viable products.
- Develop concepts mood boards colour palettes materials finishes and product details.
- Research global trends across beauty jewellery fashion accessories gifting youth culture and lifestyle products.
- Identify new product opportunities and contribute innovative product concepts.
- Ensure products are relevant to the target consumer and aligned with the brand direction.
Product Development
- Own the complete product development cycle from idea and concept through design sampling revision costing approval and production.
- Create detailed product specifications and supplier briefs.
- Work directly with manufacturers and suppliers to develop products.
- Review samples and manage revisions to achieve the required quality and design standards.
- Check product dimensions materials colours finishes and construction.
- Ensure final manufactured products accurately reflect approved designs.
- Maintain clear product development timelines and project trackers.
Packaging Development
- Develop packaging concepts alongside product development.
- Ensure packaging is visually appealing commercially practical and suitable for retail presentation.
- Consider materials dimensions cost shipping efficiency and display requirements.
- Coordinate with graphic designers on artwork typography and brand elements.
- Review packaging samples and approve final production specifications.
Supplier & Manufacturing Management
- Work directly with suppliers and factories in China India and other manufacturing hubs.
- Be willing to travel to manufacturing hubs to meet suppliers and factories when required.
- Source new suppliers and manufacturing capabilities.
- Communicate product specifications clearly to suppliers and manufacturers.
- Negotiate sampling MOQs materials production options and commercial terms.
- Monitor supplier quality and execution.
- Identify and resolve product-development challenges efficiently.
Costing & Commercial Decisions
- Understand target retail prices and required margins before product development begins.
- Work backwards from target selling price to establish achievable product costs.
- Compare materials and manufacturing alternatives.
- Identify unnecessary costs without compromising product quality.
- Evaluate whether product concepts are commercially viable before proceeding to production.
Knowledge & Experience:
- Bachelors degree in Product Design Industrial Design Fashion Product Development or a related field preferred.
- 46 years of relevant product design and development experience.
- Experience in beauty/cosmetics jewellery fashion accessories gifting stationery kids/tween products lifestyle products or consumer products preferred.
- Strong portfolio demonstrating physical products personally developed or launched.
- Excellent understanding of product design materials manufacturing and packaging.
- Strong aesthetic judgment combined with commercial awareness.
- Experience dealing directly with factories and suppliers.
- Experience managing sampling revisions costing and production.
- Understanding of margins and target retail pricing.
- Strong project-management and organizational skills.
- Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Adobe Illustrator Photoshop or similar design skills are an advantage.
- Strong communication negotiation and stakeholder-management skills.
Key Performance Indicators:
- Number of commercially viable new products developed and launched.
- Product development timelines achieved.
- Sample-to-approval turnaround time.
- Percentage of products launched on schedule.
- Target cost and margin achievement.
- Reduction in unnecessary sampling rounds.
- Product quality and consistency.
- Supplier performance and new supplier/material opportunities identified.
- Commercial performance of newly developed products.
Compensation with standard benefits