Head of RTW Product Development

Job description

HOW WILL YOU MAKE AN IMPACT?

Management:

·  Responsible for managing the Menswear RTW product development team through all stages from design to product sign off, in accordance with the brief, target price and critical path.

Responsibilities:

·  Constant liaison with Designer, Product Merchandising and Suppliers to ensure all relevant development steps are followed through and signed off
·  Harmonise product flow development according to the deadlines and workload.
·  Together with PD&Prod. Director, Production/Planning and Quality Director, conduct a strategic selection of suppliers in order to guarantee the best product, price, quality and service.
·  Manage Product Development Deadlines (Main Collection + Fashion Show)
·  Support team on engineering the product according to the Quality requirements and target costs.
·  Negotiate best costs and minimum in order to have flexibility with WS customers.
·  Ensure costs are in line with margin strategy
·  Manage database, ensure all costs, product descriptions, MOQ, composition, suppliers are in the system, IPDM properly filled in according to the deadlines and different Floor Set.

Long term activities:

·  In conjunction with Merchandising, Procurement and Quality teams constantly re-evaluate our supplier base against: CofO, cost opportunities and quality
·  Establish strong working relationships with existing manufacturing base to optimise service levels for development
·  Explore where necessary, in conjunction with the Manufacture and Supply team, alternative long-term sustainable manufacturing sources which fall within the criteria of the Dunhill source strategy. Any such sources to be approved by the Chief of Supply Chain and Product Development Officer.
·  Ensure suppliers service level agreement including Confidentiality Agreements are in place with current suppliers. All new suppliers must sign up in line with the time frames required by the company
·  In conjunction with quality management, maintain detailed product specification sheets which detail all aspects of the product development cycle.
·  Achieve best possible balance between cost and quality without compromising core brand values and the timely delivery of product into the market
·  Visit suppliers & attend relevant trade fairs as necessary.  

Research and Development:

·  Ensure quality is built in the product during development process first stage
·  Bring innovation on  products from the material research to all the different product innovation by looking into new material, techniques through research

 

HOW WILL YOU EXPERIENCE SUCCESS WITH US?

·  Significant experience of working within product development for all Product Development RTW Menswear
·  Significant proven experience in the role of Product Development Manager
·  Solid experience of managing and developing a team
·  Significant experience creating and controlling a product development department budget.
·  Proven experience in a role requiring strong organisational and administrative skills, accuracy, attention to detail and prioritising of a diverse workload
·  Relationships with Fabric Suppliers, makers and trim suppliers in Europe and Asia
·  Experience of dealing and communicating with International suppliers
·  Ability to communicate across different levels and functions within the business
·  Team player, whilst having the ability to delegate
·  Proven management and leadership skills
·  Strong project and time management skills
·  Ability to present/sell concepts and ideas to others
·  Well organised & process driven
·  Methodical approach and strong accuracy and attention to detail
·  Able to work under pressure and to prioritise
·  Excellent communication skills - personable with all levels
·  Strong understanding of, and proactive approach to, luxury menswear development flow.
·  Strong understanding and ability to interpret designs into product
·  Strong understanding of fabrics and RTW trims, ability to select according to the end product required
·  Ability to deal with change
·  Strong creative thinking
·  Ability to drive the development of Menswear to the next stage, in line with brand direction
·  Able to travel to UK, Europe and Asia as required

 

WHAT MAKES OUR GROUP DIFFERENT?

Our true power does not lie in our similarities but in the rich diversity of our arts, cultures, and human skills, as well as our specific ability to foster untapped potential.
- We value freedom, collegiality, loyalty, and solidarity
- We foster empathy, curiosity, courage, humility, and integrity
- We care for the world we live in

 

YOUR JOURNEY WITH US:

We aim to provide a valuable recruitment process, allowing you to gain exposure to some key decision makers and influencing individuals:

·  Initial screening call with Richemont Talent Team
·  Interview with the Hiring Manager
·  Interview with the HR Manager