Our client is seeking a Product Development Lead to join their expanding Product Development team. The Product Development Lead will be responsible for creating innovative new products in the Textile Manufacturing space for their assigned brands, to be launched on E-commerce and new retail channels.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Develop consumer-centric product ideas and solutions that are unique and meaningful, aligning with the overall strategic growth plan.
Lead collaborative teams from Insights Meeting through to Implementation of new products.
Champion development of approved product concepts and prototypes aligned with Corporate and Brand Objectives, presented and confirmed at key stakeholders' meetings.
Lead requests on new product development for 1st manufacturing cost to suppliers and negotiate/set initial target cost with the active collaboration of the internal Sourcing team.
Contribute to building the pipeline of new products from ideation through observing and understanding the consumer and retailer landscape.
Brief suppliers with a Product Specification, source and collaborate on sample feedback and reiterations of desired product, and manage the full prototyping process with supplier on agreed final approved specs.
Collaborate with multiple teams to develop from concept to completed packaging - Brand, Creative, Design & Sales.
Execute pre-production development by working closely with suppliers and QA to ensure quality consistency, with PQP's.
Provide final approval of product specification and samples on relevant sourcing changes proposed by our internal sourcing team on existing products.
Attend trade shows, industry functions, retail reviews, and subscribe to relevant publications to contribute to the development of innovative & new products.
Build partnerships with suppliers that ensure our company is the first approach on ideas and build the supplier base with value-add suppliers.
Develop all necessary new product information and initial vision, specifically the reasoning for the new product and its features and benefits, that are used in internal teams' presentations and handoff briefings.
Qualifications:
Undergraduate degree in Industrial Design, Fashion design, or relevant field is an asset.
Trade school or diploma in product development, design with relevant experience.
Eye for aesthetic design and customer appeal, with high attention to detail, meticulous & diligent.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Industry knowledge and market trend knowledge is preferred.
Thorough understanding of the product development cycle.
At least 1+ years of experience as a Product Development specialist or similar role, preference given to CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) and Fashion related fields.
Previous experience in product design, graphic design, or related marketing is an asset.
Rapid prototyping or previous experience working in an industrial facility is helpful.
