Own Brand Product Development Lead - 12 Month FTC

JD GROUP; Bury; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the retail sector is seeking a Product Development Manager to oversee the Product Development team, ensuring compliance with safety standards and driving departmental strategies. The role involves managing critical paths and collaborating with various stakeholders to support the growth of Own Brands.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Product Development team and support with ranges.
• Ensure excellence in product safety and compliance.
• Drive the departmental strategy within their category.

Skills

Critical Path Management

Communication

Leadership

Adaptability

Job description

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

• Manage the Product Development team in their category and provide support where needed with ranges.
• Manage the Critical Path within their category.
• Manage role-specific projects as briefed by the Own Label Development Manager.
• Support process and information sharing across roles/departments/externally as appropriate for role-specific projects.
• Implement best practices, with quality and efficiency of process, ensuring integration of Own Brand into the wider business for role-specific projects.
• Support Own Brand system & process to ensure the best quality, construction, and price of Own Brand products within their category.
• Collaborate with the Own Label Development Manager to develop systems and processes supporting the international growth of Own Brands, Joint Ventures, and Franchises.
• Support long-term strategic planning for Product Development.
• Monitor and report on sampling, margin, and quality performance for their category.
• Ensure excellence in product safety and compliance with all relevant local and global standards for their category.
• Support the development of the Critical Path and Own Brand calendar.
• Manage the system & process of blocks, size charts, grading, and garment fit within the category to ensure compliance, safety, and fitness for purpose.
• Ensure ethical negotiation and supplier management in their category.
• Provide technical advice and support to the category team.
• Support the category in working towards departmental sustainability initiatives.
• Conduct factory visits and warehouse trips to develop and improve production, evaluating sources for lead-time, cost, capability, and location.
• Drive the departmental strategy within their category.

Key Skills

• Excellent Critical Path Management skills.
• Confident communication with senior stakeholders.
• Strong people management and leadership skills.
• Adaptability to work across projects and category ranges to benefit departmental strategy.