Product Development Manager

THE PURPOSE:

The Product Development Manager is responsible for establishing, developing, and directing the production strategy for a product category and effectively directing the business relationships with finished product suppliers and our agents to leverage lower costs and reduced lead time without sacrificing quality. Hire, train, and develop a team to manage the business to improve gross margin, on-time delivery of samples, and provide exceptional customer service.

THE ROLE is Fearless and Focused

• Promotes adherence to the product pipeline calendar by ensuring the efficient collaboration and coordination between cross-functional partners, including Design, R&D, Merchandising, and Materials.
• Embodies the high standards of the Sourcing and Production department and actively represents the department in all calendar checkpoints and major milestone meetings.
• Delivers the highest quality product within sample and production deadlines by proactively planning, coordinating, and managing external sources while identifying and addressing issues that may impact timelines or cost.
• Direct seasonal product development to ensure cost parameters and aesthetic requirements are achieved and are aligned with TR’s global sourcing strategy.
• Assures that True Religions' margin and financial goals for product cost throughout the pipeline are understood and achieved by monitoring, reporting, and influencing cross-functional decision-making.
• Reinforces True Religion's core values by engaging all internal and external partners with a high degree of professionalism and exhibits confidence and resourcefulness when faced with a challenge.
• Creates a collaborative and positive team environment that encourages authentic and transparent contribution.
• Develop and nurture strong partnerships with vendors, driving business results and inspiring a culture of transparency, collaboration, and accountability.
• Maintain IMU, style adoption, fabric projections. Fabric liability reporting.
• Maintain style/purchase order files, including accountability for PO revisions.
• Initiate proactive external communications with vendors to ensure that the sampling, pre-production, and production processes is on schedule to ensure the timely shipment of orders.
• Management of production timelines, reviewing reports, and recommending solutions to exceptions
• Monitor the status of purchase orders to ensure that the on-order and delivery exception report reflects the correct dates and comments.
• Initiate proactive internal communication for changes impacting other areas of responsibility, e.g. pre-ticketing, payments, or ship dates.
• Work directly with Merchants on reorders and delivery flow alterations.
• Develop time and action calendars for all programs managed.
• Management of production timelines, reviewing reports, and recommending solutions to exceptions
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Managing & Operations:

• Continuously review and lead team progress to identify opportunities to improve speed to market, product execution, and efficiency.
• Research new sources of manufacturing and industry best practices to ensure continual process improvement and long-term vision.
• Own communication of cross-functional updates relative to denim, sourcing, production, fit processes, strategies, and findings.

Strategy:

• Assist in building the sourcing strategy in collaboration with Product Development, Design, Merchants, and Inventory Management.
• Partner with product development / R&D / merchants to ensure the line is developed and aligned with the brand's pricing architecture.

Financial:

• Work with cross-functional business partners to enforce vendor policies that minimize and bring resolution to potential financial liabilities.
• Ensure Vendors are aligned on best practices that support True Religion’s cost management, product quality, and delivery requirements.

Leadership:

• Set the appropriate tone for the teams; effectively manage through periods of change with a positive attitude despite ambiguity and uncertainty.
• Develop skills and build knowledge within the organization to increase bench strength and future succession capability.
• Recruit, identify, develop, and retain talent that delivers performance excellence
• As a manager, serve as a leader of the company culture, norms, and conduct

REQUIRED MINIMUM EXPERIENCE

• 8 years of experience in Production/Sourcing and/or Supply Chain roles of increasing scope, complexity, and leadership responsibility.
• Knowledge of apparel and non-apparel industry businesses, strategies, and how the competition operates in the marketplace. Ability to use this knowledge to inform and influence strategies.
• Knowledge of Production trade regulations, testing protocol, product integrity, production cycle timeline, fabric, and garment construction.
• Apparel and fabric manufacturing economics and operations management (i.e., lead-times, transit times, garment and fabric construction, and apparel manufacturing operations)
• Analytical and possesses computer skills and knowledge; ability to obtain information from systems.
• Ability to influence across multiple functions/areas/geographies.
• Effective problem-solving and negotiation skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to develop & implement strategies according to plans, monitor progress, and make the necessary adjustments to achieve objectives.
• Ability to anticipate and articulate future trends and consequences and respond with competitive and creative business solutions.
• Be aware of the impact and implications of decisions on other aspects of business.
• Ability to negotiate skillfully and resolve conflict in tough situations; win concessions without damaging relationships.
• Experience creating and maintaining a positive environment that promotes high performance standards and attainment of goals.