Senior Director, Product Development - Apparel Industry

About Our Client:

Our client is a well-established fashion retailer.

Position Scope:

The Senior Director of Product Development will play a key role in all categories overseeing the product development roadmap. This individual will bring a high degree of analytical, creative, and technical expertise, along with in-depth product knowledge across apparel and accessory categories. They will collaborate with cross functional partners to bring forth an assortment that meets corporate target margins, and will help to define KPI’s, set goals, establish guidelines and timelines, collaborate with key external and internal partners, and address any issues and concerns, resolving them efficiently.

Responsibilities:

• Participate in weekly Cross Functional Meetings, Detail Meetings, Milestone Meetings
• Collaborate with Planning team to review annual target margins
• Manage, motivate, and grow direct reports
• Drive the department forward through process improvement and best practices
• Develop and maintain vendor relations to make garments with quality and competitive prices to match the architecture plan and division margin goals
• Represent Product Development in all development Calendar meetings
• Collaborate with the Director of QA & Sustainability to integrate sustainability goals, innovation, and measurements into the product development process
• Work with Design, Raw Materials, Technical Design and Category teams to ensure delivery of the best quality for the best cost, meeting, or exceeding margin targets annually
• Partner with the Buying team to review high level costing from Licensed partners on a need to basis
• Partner with cross-functional teams on collaborations and special projects to drive energy around key growth categories
• Utilize leadership skills that motivate, educate, and empower direct and indirect teams
• Influence, manage, and execute to seasonal development calendars to create best-in-class apparel and accessory assortments
• Lead with the Corporate values and principles in mind
• Ensure an efficient and streamlined process for costing

Required Skills and Knowledge:

• The ability to grasp and enrich the lifestyle brand vision
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Ability to analyze, compile and manage detailed data
• Strong product sense, acute understanding of the marketplace, proven experience combined with an analytical, strategic mind
• Proven managerial experience that includes both developing a team and individuals
• High level of organizational skills
• Must be able to perform efficiently within a fast-paced team environment
• Seasoned forward-thinking leadership with proven abilities to successfully execute and bring product to market in a cost-effective manner
• Capable of evaluating and changing priorities on an as-needed basis
• Flexibility and ability to move easily from strategic to tactical and back
• Proven influencing and negotiating skills - both internally and externally

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in applicable field
• 10+ years of relevant experience

Application Instructions:

To apply, please send a resume to Amanda Graham at [email protected]

Summit Search Group is a fair and equitable search firm. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process.