Job Description
We have a fantastic international opportunity for an experienced Design or Product Development Manager for Kids and Baby clothing. We are working with a large scale supplier based in Sri Lanka who are looking for a senior candidate with experience working with large scale UK retailers and supermarkets to join their team based in Colombo.
You will be responsible for the set up and streamlining of the PD and Design function to support the growth of the business. You will be a key member of the senior management team leading the product developers in Sri Lanka as well as a small team of designers in UK. You will set up the process and manage the team to to produce exceptional designs and market leading product development that exceed customer expectations and potentialises business opportunities.
This role offers a competitive salary, business travel to UK plus annual travel to UK for the manager and immediate family.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to join a growing business and relocate to the beautiful island of Sri Lanka.
Main responsibilities will include:
- Assist and facilitate the senior management team in the formulation and implementation of the Product Development strategy.
- Collaborate with Design, Technical and Merchandising and Fabric Teams to develop an effective PD roadmap
- Inspire customers by exceeding their expectations with superb product development and sampling.
- Implement processes and manage resources to improve product, utilising insights from customers, launch and post-launch data.
- Lead a high performing team to develop innovative solutions to design challenges around cost, quality and performance.
- Manage resources, schedules, critical paths and budget criteria for sampling and for the division as a whole.
- Build and manage strong relationships with all stakeholders
- Work closely with Fabric team to identify trends and key suppliers.
- On-time sampling
- Market intelligence and trends for specific markets
Person requirements:
- Design Management or PD Management experience with UK volume retailer
- Kids and baby clothing specialism
- A passion for product and process innovation and continuous improvement
- Strong leadership skills, managing, mentoring, coaching and fostering a culture of innovation and team work.
- A proven track record of developing people
- Able to demonstrate ability to influence others to improve processes
- A strategic thinker who will contribute to the overall plan and strong on implementation.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- A strong eye for product, detail and emerging trends and market influences.
- Positive, enthusiastic, tenacious and strong on problem solving
