Design and Product Development Director

Thanks in advance for the interest, but if you do not have a valid work permit, please don't apply to this position.

Our client, a leading manufacturer of Mens and Womens cutting edge fashion trends, is looking for an experienced Design and Product Development Director to add to their team!

1. Design Development

• Travel to Europe for sample shopping (customs declarations, tax free submissions)
• Travel to fabric shows / sourcing shows looking for new product / suppliers
• Work with Sample Room clerk to categorize and organize the samples when they arrive
• Prepare the SKU plan for each season
• Work with CEO and the designers to develop the line
• Prepare trend research and direction for the new season for all brands with CEO
• Work with the designers on color cards
• Work with the designers on styling details and artworks
• Work with Graphic Designers and the designers to prepare the CAD’s and approve them
• Work with the Sales Team to try and help them understand each style
• Prepare product information logs and all tools (color cards, cads, binders, fabric swatches, etc…) for the sales team
• Work with the sales team and the customers to present the Product
• Review the designers on tech packs to make sure all details are accurate and clear for the garment makers
• Overlook fit and specs with the designers and Fit Technician
• Overlook with the designers of lab dips, handlooms, strike offs, trims, fits, pp samples, etc…
• Meeting with designers and suppliers to follow up on SMS developments and timelines

2. Costing

• Collecting orders and participating in the buys of all commodities to accumulate totals.
• Work with the fabric mills to establish all fabric qualities, information, and negotiate prices
• Meeting with factories to see what can be done to reduce prices and achieve targets
• Work with the garment makers to negotiate all prices even further at the time of order placement and place all orders. I have a costing spreadsheet that I will share. It works well for me and can be a good starting point for whoever will take over this task.
• Confirming orders (prices and deliveries) and making sure po’s are issued
• Working with the design team to make sure that all items have been sent to the supplier so they can successfully produce each style.

3. Manage the team

• Work with the team (approx 10 people) to make sure they have the answers and tools to perform their job and create the product by answering technical questions that arise and finding solutions.
• Collect all parcels that arrive and distribute them accordingly.
• Overseeing all samples to make sure everything is ok and comments go out in a timely manner.
• Keep track of absences and holiday requests, and communicate with HR on these matters.
• Dealing with day to day issues that arise, troubleshoot.