Solent Group work with a diverse portfolio of Retailers and supply bespoke products within various categories, including Health & Beauty, Household Impulse Snacking and Reusable Bags. We are proud to be best-in-class when it comes to own-label product innovation. Our Categories are fast-paced with ever-evolving trends and a host of ground-breaking products coming to market on a regular basis - we add value to retailers by leading and owning each category.
Here at Solent we want people to be extraordinary. We pride ourselves on creating and producing amazing products and brands for our Global Customers. You will be joining a company with offices globally across South Africa, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Vietnam, and the UK.
DIVISION/DEPT: Product
REPORT TO: Senior Product Manager
LOCATION: Hybrid, commuting distance to Christchurch, Dorset (Head Office)
TRAVEL: Occasional travel to manufactures & customer meetings
Purpose of the role:
This is an exciting opportunity to join our fastest growing reusable bag division. You will own delivery of the division's critical paths on time and in full while acting as product champion, driving growth through innovative NPD. Brings trend knowledge and market acumen to inject excitement into the category and strengthen our customer partnerships.
Develop new products with both existing and new customers, using consumer insight and data to inform decisions. Communicate clearly with all team members on critical paths and project status. Build strong stakeholder collaboration to ensure project viability and provides concise briefs to buying teams.
Apply technical knowledge of product make-up while managing detail across multiple projects. Deliver confident, high-impact presentations to customers. As the role develops, you will have opportunities for both UK and international travel.
Scope & Relationships:
* UK & EU supplier facing and Solent Asia buying team
* Retailer facing for all live projects
* Internally face into commercial, technical, design and supply chain teams
* Internal Stakeholder management
Main Responsibilities:
* Responsible for driving business growth through NPD
* Manage the product development from Concept stage to finished goods
* Manage the production of the required deliverables through HK buying team
* Presentation building for key customer meetings
* Project implementation: Cross functional working with technical & design to ensure we are creating clear market leading briefs
* Manage our project management tool Asana ensure content is accurate and updated weekly
* Problem solving & reacting to customer deadlines / requests
* Reviewing emails and project requirements, conducting meetings with teams and stakeholders, scheduling, monitoring metrics and many more
* Market and trend analysis
* Engage with teams globally across different time zones
Experience and knowledge:
* Interest in fashion and clothing trends, passion for textiles and licensing
* Can confidently understand and run a critical path
* Manufacturing knowledge key, ideally working with FE suppliers
* Project management across multiple SKU's and categories
* Examples of cross-functional working across multiple teams
* Market and trend understanding in order to overlay onto product plans
* Strong supplier relationships with a commercial mindset
* Trade Show and supplier visit experience
* Examples of problem solving and solutions to previous projects
* Strong communication skills and detail orientated
* Ability to review trends and clearly present back to team / retailer
* Building strong relationships internally and externally
* Ideally 3+ years of product development experience
In turn we offer:
* Competitive salary with annual salary reviews
* 25 days holiday per annum, increasing to 27 days after 3 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
* Extensive benefits programme including buying additional holiday, medical cash plan, access to mental health support and many other benefits
* Flexible hours and work from home available to all staff with an office presence ideally once a week
* Great learning and development and progression opportunities Yearly bonus structure (based on company targets)
* Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave
* Generous Company Sick Pay
* Pension Scheme Contribution
* Solent social events run by our inhouse Social Team
* Cycle to Work scheme
* Free parking on Christchurch Quay