Job Description
OUR CLIENTS PROFILE
We are currently recruiting for an exciting role on behalf of our client who specialise in footwear and accessories defined by craftsmanship, innovation and technology. The company is currently pushing new boundaries in design, all products are designed in London and sourced and produced in Italy.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The position is based in the London HQ and reports directly into the Chief Merchant, supervises development and works in close collaboration with the other teams (Design, Merchandising, Retail, Wholesale, eComm, Operations and Finance). Footwear is still the predominant business but the Accessories lines are growing and the candidate needs to be able to overlook both with the same level of detail.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Developing Shoes & Accessories (plus seasonal categories) and related packaging
- Managing the life cycle of all products from sampling to production, including quality control and delivery
- Leading the development process, including raw material sourcing
- Making sure that sampling meets Design expectations and technical requirements
- Managing the critical path and organising product development meetings
- Managing an international portfolio of suppliers/producers and allocating production accordingly
- Leading price negotiations with producers to achieve and improve target margins
- Implementing costing for each product, making sure that all is trackable and that information is timely passed along to the Merchandising team
- Travelling to production sites to oversee sampling and production
- Setting up weekly meetings to inform the other departments on deliveries and production status
- Organising fit meetings
- Guaranteeing that products arrive in time in store and meet the required quality standards
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- 5+ years of experience in Development/Production and Outsourcing
- Based in London but availability to travel 50% to 60% of the time within Europe
- Ability to work independently on self-directed projects with an entrepreneurial attitude
- Ability to work hard, learn and progress
- Experience in Shoes & Accessories (preferably Men’s) is highly required
- Proficiency in English and at least one other European language
- Pre-existing portfolio of European producers
- Evidence of the following characteristics: pre-active, resilient, able to work under pressure and respect deadlines, problem-solving attitude, ability to multi-task
