Overview
My client is looking to recruit a Product Specialist/Category Manager/Buyer for their growing team. The role is for a curious and enthusiastic product lover, responsible for developing best-in-class product ranges, maximising value for money and driving innovation in the marketplace. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for continuous improvement, the role focuses on delivering exceptional products that meet and exceed customer expectations.
Responsibilities
* Overall product development working in a four-point approach to product
* Seasonal ranges by brand
o Overall ownership of key categories / brands becoming an expert in your space
o Curating product ranges by season touching all applicable price points and formats
* Trend led product
o Being an expert in your space, identifying trends or trending products
o Responsible for reacting to trends, working with factories and internal teams to be first to market
* Customer specific product
o Responsible for reacting to customer specific briefs set by sales
o Sourcing, costing and sampling adhering to short deadlines whilst delivering best cost and quality product
* Everyday 365 product
o Applying an adaptable approach to continuous development on everyday core SKUs
* Product sourcing / supplier management
o Identifying key suppliers and suitable factories understanding the appropriate sourcing route and preferred supplier for product
o Establishing and maintaining good relationships with existing and potential new suppliers
o Completion of new factory profile forms and ensuring all new factories are approved by QA
o Negotiation of trading terms
o Cost negotiation and completion of costing sheets ensuring margin is in line with company expectations
o Ensure product costs are in line with material costs with the support of the head of PD
o Responsible for samples across all lines negotiating samples with factories minimising costs to the business
o International travel as and when required to visit supplier's showroom / factories
o Attending trade shows to meet with suppliers to manage relationships and to source new suppliers
o Regular video calls to maintain and strengthen supplier relationships
o Sourcing of new trends, hot products
o Creating product briefs for suppliers and factories, working with design and QA to ensure we are up to date with standards for products and factories
o Manage the performance of suppliers, with support from the head of PD dealing with issues quickly and effectively ensuring minimal impact to the business
o Working with the sales team on reactive briefs for the customers, ensuring the appropriate sourcing route is utilised
* Critical path management
o Ownership of the product Development Critical Path Management
o Ensuring product critical paths and weekly workloads are on track to achieve deadlines from concept to pre-production with design and factories
o Ensuring deadlines are adhered to and follow up on all sample issues to resolve and drive to completion
o Identifying, calling out and making recommendations to mitigate any risks/challenges identified at all stages
o Monitoring order Critical Path with Merch to ensure intake dates are met
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