Product Manager (18 month Mat leave)

Jivaro; Sydney; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Jivaro is seeking a Product Manager/Buyer to create, range, and deliver a balanced apparel and accessory assortment during a parental leave cover. You will step in quickly, keep existing categories moving, and bring fresh energy to the range for the 18–20 month term.

Reporting to the Buying Manager, you will manage supplier relationships across geographies, lead design-led development, negotiate costs, and drive on-time product delivery and margin, while collaborating with the production team

Qualifications

• Experience leading design-led product development for apparel and accessories.
• Ability to manage multiple ranges with strong supplier relationships.
• Strong negotiation, costing, and margin management skills.
• Proven capability to trade range in season and deliver on time.

Responsibilities

• Take over and strategically manage existing product categories while planning future ranges.
• Design led product development and maintain supplier relationships across geographies.
• Collaborate with production team on fabric, wash, colour, trims, fit and approvals.
• Identify trends, manage pricing and margins, and drive category performance.
• Own product from creation to stores and support smooth handback at end.

Skills

Range management

Supplier relationships

Product development

Negotiation

Cross-functional teamwork

Creative eye

Time management

Job description

ROLE PURPOSE

The role of Product Manager / Buyer is to create, range, and deliver a balanced product assortment that is relevant, meets the needs of our customers, maximises commercial opportunities & delivers continuous profit growth for the business. You will step in quickly, keep the existing categories moving without disruption, and bring fresh energy and ideas to the range for the length of the contract.

POSITION

PRODUCT MANAGER/BUYER (PARENTAL LEAVE COVER)

EMPLOYMENT TYPE

FIXED-TERM, FULL-TIME, 18 TO 20 MONTHS

REPORTS TO POSITION

BUYING MANAGER

DEPARTMENT

PRODUCT TEAM

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Take over and strategically manage existing product categories, keeping current seasons on track while planning future ranges
• Design Led Product Development
• Maintain existing supplier relationships across multiple geographies and build new ones where they add value
• Partner with production team to manage all phases of the range/product lifecycle including fabric, wash, colour, strike off, trim, artwork, fit (QA), PP and shipping sample approval
• Identifying key trends, colours and prints for the new seasons
• Cost price negotiation and intake margin
• Trial product and trade categories
• Range collaboratively with team to deliver the best product for our customers
• Hand the categories back in a strong commercial position, with clear documentation for a smooth return to work

Responsibilities

• Get up to speed quickly with in-flight ranges, critical paths and supplier commitments through a structured handover
• Understand our customers and their evolving needs
• Live and breathe the company's culture and values
• Production Planning with suppliers
• Strategically manage a selection of categories (apparel and accessories) from a collaborative product selection, sourcing, price negotiation, order placement to warehouse delivery
• Responsible for managing a commercial and desirable range that meets sales budgets, margin targets, proposed range mix and customers’ expectations
• Continuous product development for your categories using a combination of current trends and proven product knowledge - design led product development
• Ability to trade your range in season and are accountable for core lines with the planners
• Ability to run core line cards
• Intake Margin
• Identify new trends and products relevant to our customers through overseas travel, online research, and local market awareness
• Put together key looks for brand campaigns and digital content
• Monitor your product at retail level, collaborate with repeats and markdowns in weekly meetings
• Ensure the OTB is filled, and product deliveries are phased correctly.
• Work closely with textile graphic designer and external sources to develop prints that are within the brand’s copyright guidelines.
• Work closely with the production team in daily fittings and approvals to ensure accurate and on-time delivery by managing the critical path
• Understand and keep up to date with the key competitors and their position within the market (product assortment, pricing marketing, customer profile)
• Update and maintain product range books, create product guides & manage attributes for all selling channels
• Own product from creation, fitting, production to stores
• Support and coach junior team members, helping them understand our customers, products, and ways of working
• Keep clear records of decisions, supplier agreements and range performance to support a seamless handback at the end of the contract

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Able to hit the ground running - quickly absorb existing ranges, processes and relationships with minimal ramp-up
• Collaborative - a team player with the ability to provide leadership and motivation to broader team
• Results oriented - driven and motivated, accountability is taken for performance and outcomes
• Strong creative eye, passion for product, expert knowledge of current and emerging fashion trends
• Exceptional organisational and time management skills - able to prioritise, multitask, and deliver within deadlines and remain composed
• Comprehensive knowledge of garment manufacturing and fabrics - a proven track record sourcing from multiple geographies
• Communicate clearly, concisely, professionally and in a timely manner
• Able to meet new challenges with an open mind and thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to set up new ways of working & processes in a simple, efficient way, while respecting established systems