MANAGER PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT- Handbags, Accessories & Footwear

Cult Gaia is a women’s fashion brand based in Los Angeles. We are looking for an intelligent, hard-working self- starter to manage the Product Development of Handbags, Jewelry, Accessories and Footwear

As the MANAGER of Product Development you will support the day-to-day office activity including (but not limited to) all footwear, jewelry and handbags product creations in collaboration with the design teams. The candidate will be responsible for all Technical packages from first sample to final production. Must work very closely with our designers, production team members, vendors and suppliers.

The ideal candidate is responsible, takes accountability, detail-oriented, hardworking, and is able to multi-task in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will be able to work well within a team environment but is a self-motivator who can work independently and is deadline driven. This role is critical to the Product Development and Production structures for Cult Gaia

Responsibilities:

· Responsible for creating product specifications for 200-300 SKU’s per season

· Collaborate with design and production on the entire product development process from initial development to production orders.

· Collaborate closely with Design and production teams on sampling and production.

· Ensures the protos and samples are executed to reflect the concept and designs.

· Troubleshoots all development issues.

· Plans and tracks the development schedule to ensure a timely completion based on development calendar.

· Participate in monthly reviews of product and maintaining a product tracker report on changes, drops and adds.

· Collaborate with tech design and production on new materials, constructions, fits, target costing and margin, process, and procedures.

· Ownership of WFX: Setup and maintaining updates

· FIT and corrections from proto to PP sent to vendor from PD within 48 hour

· Material and components comments

· Standardizing fit and grading with vendors and factories

· Responsible for sourcing materials & components, creates boards and presents to cross-functional teams

· Meeting raw material costs goals

· Place and approve sample lab dips

· FDS and Mastercard creation & approvals (provide vendors with one Mastercard of each color)

· Own Mastercard Library

· Create and maintain sample WIP’s (must ensure that protos and correction samples are approved within timeline to hit deadlines)

· Create and maintain all tech packs/ BOMS in WFX

· Review design details, materials and design patterns based on vendor and or/production feedback to achieve costing goals

· Request designs or re-designs from Design team based on costing or counter sourcing needs

· Handoff of PP TP’s to vendors (all fit comments must be presented with pictures)

· Proper handoff to Production, inclusive of WFX updates, Fit comments measurements, construction, and colors masters for PP sampling Timing After collection review timing

· Managing invoices and mould fees on invoice tracker

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

· Experienced with creating detailed product specifications to direct suppliers.

· Strong technical understanding of footwear materials, lasts, constructions and manufacturing.

· Versatile problem -solving and decision-making skills.

· Highly organized and able to adapt quickly to changing priorities.

· Excellent Adobe creative suite, Excel and WFX system skills.

· Excellent communication skills.

· Self-starter and time management skills.

· China development and communication experience

· High-end and fast-fashion experience is a plus

· Understanding of cost drivers is a plus

Education and Experience requirements:

· College or University BA degree

· 3-4 years of Footwear Product developer experience.