Job description
Our client, a well-known clothing boutique/brand is looking to add a Product Development Manager on a Fulltime basis, starting immediately.
Title: Product Development Manager
Salary: $85k-$95k
Type: Full-Time, Permanent Position
Schedule: On-sit 5 days per week
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Overview:
This person is responsible for establishing, developing and directing the production strategy while ensuring product optimization. This person will effectively direct the business relationships with finished product suppliers to leverage lower costs and reduced lead time without sacrificing quality. The right candidate will have extensive experience and knowledge of product sourcing, negotiation and production processes.
Responsibilities and Functions:
- Negotiate effective product terms with local and overseas suppliers such as cost, quality and delivery lead-times
- Securing cost efficiencies through effective bottom-up approach and accurate costing benchmarking
- Follow up pre-production and production stages in a continuous communication with vendors
- Accurate production planning matching budgets with factories capacities
- Support the strategic objectives of the business by maintaining and developing an effective supplier portfolio
- Reporting on production status and sourcing planning
- Review and communicate emails daily with external overseas vendors and internal departments
- Seasonal buy placement per factory: prepare buy projection chart with factory allocation by season
- Create and manage the Production Calendar. Tracking and maintaining deadlines for all teams
- Follow up weekly WIP reports from multiple vendors to manage production schedule for samples, fabrics, trims and production to achieve on-time delivery
- Review and approve garment yield, check actual fabric consumption chart and PGA report to minimize fabric shortage and overage with merchant and fabric team, Review fabric quality and delivery issues with fabric team
- BMS – Manage Pos, reports and update all data related to production: yields, prices, delivery dates
- Excel – Create pivot charts and manage all report charts
- Manages PO tracker which is used cross functionally with planning, merchandising, logistics and operations
- Work closely with the Product Development team to ensure fabrics/trims are approved for production and chase into pending lab dips/strike offs/knit downs to ensure on time production delivery
Qualifications:
- 4 years experience in product development, fashion industry preferred
- Experienced and knowledgeable about products, suppliers, and factories
- Advanced knowledge about critical path, costing, manufacturing and calendar management
- Strong negotiation skills
- Excellent organizational and planning skills with high prioritization ability working on multiple projects simultaneously
- Ability to work under pressure in a fast paced and entrepreneurial environment
- Ability to establish trustworthy and durable relationships with suppliers and colleagues
- Advanced Excel skills
If you are interested in and qualified for this position, please forward your resume today!