This role exists to manage the Product Creation, Development & Sourcing function. To lead and manage the critical path to ensure all timelines are met, whilst ensuring that the supply base is compliant and able to meet the future growth targets of the business.
Responsible for:
* Manage the critical path across design, development, and sourcing.
* Lead and manage the design, development, and technical team.
* Interact with suppliers present and future to deliver to Nadine Merabi standards. Assess and appraise these factories at regular intervals.
* Execute the vision of the Creative Director.
* Work closely with trade to ensure financial targets are hit via the right product/margin and delivered on time.
Accountable for:
* Ensuring that all product is fit for purpose and all elements have been tested to global and regional standards.
* Establishing the Nadine Merabi block and maintaining size consistency across styles
* Awareness of returns rate and endeavour to reduce this to commercially acceptable levels.
* Manage the department budget including travel and sample costs.
* Only working with compliant factories and fabric/ trim suppliers.
* Providing the wholesale team with the tools to do their job. Such as samples and range overviews in a timely manner.
Essential Skills & Experience
o Critical path knowledge and juggling multiple seasons at any one time.
o Assertive with strong leadership skills, prepared to challenge the team to think differently.
o Knowledge of women's wear at the mid to luxury end of the market.
o Commercial awareness combined with a creative mind-set and an eye for detail.
o Experience with quality suppliers and know where to source new ideas.
o Ability to inspire and motivate the product team at all levels.
o Knowledge of the current retail marketplace.
o Ability to work cross functionally with other department heads.
o Excellent communication and presentation skills.
o Be prepared to take the product to the next level and an open mind to develop new categories. Highly organized and capable of working in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred Skills & Experience:
+ Understanding of the commercial impact of current and past Nadine Merabi product.
+ Experience with fabrics, trims and accessories at the luxury end of the market.
+ Ability to lead, but also be hands on when required. Always approachable.
+ Collaborative, non-political approach.
+ Factory and sourcing experience
+ Strong mentoring skills.
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