sr Manager, Product Design & Development

Job Description

What You Will Do The North Face has an amazing opportunity within the EMEA Apparel Design and Product Development Team for an experienced Senior Design and Product Development Manager to drive our JD Sports SMU collections. Partnering within the designand product development teams, you will play a central role in creating newness and evolving existing ranges. You need to be passionate about design and product development, be commercially smart, influential and thrive in a team environment. As Senior Designand Product Development Manager for The North Face, you will lead the JD SMU apparel design and product development process. Key to this, is ensuring alignment with the brands seasonal direction, global business needs, regional sourcing capabilities and qualitystandards, contributing to the design, product development and production of the The North Face JD SMU apparel lines. Partnering closely with the two EMEA Senior Directors for Design and Product Development, and supporting their vision, you must have the abilityto apply creative leadership and design/development skills to create market/brand relevant collections and guide the teams throughout the product creation process. Collaboration is key as you will partner closely with team members accountable on the same category(i.e.: Design, Development, Merchandising, Sales & Market Place) and global counterparts as well as the wider sourcing organisation. Primary accountabilities: * Be a central, hands-on, senior member of the EMEA Product Team. Establishing design, development& product creation excellence in the newly established TNF Manchester product hub. * Manage a team of 2 designers, 2 product developers (all Manchester based), plus freelancers and graphic agencies. * Work in close partnership with the JD Sports account tolead seasonal creative product presentations and creative direction. * Inspire, mentor & manage the JD SMU creative & development teams with a sharing approach to ideas and best practice solutions. * Lead JD SMU product development to ensure style, fit,quality, detail requirements are addressed while considering margin & price points to meet costing goals. * Drive agile decision making on prototype reviews and have a strong knowledge of pricing & fit. * Ensure the team delivers against the seasonal calendarmilestones, product timelines & seasonal objectives. * Research Sportswear, Outdoor & Lifestyle trends and stay up to date on contemporary styles & trends. Target consumer, wearing occasions & market opportunities. * Work in close partnership with Design,Development, Merchandising, and Market Place teams in Manchester and Stabio, Switzerland. * Work closely with Senior Design & Development Directors to build seasonal concept, collection and development strategy. * Partner with Merchandising team to manageSKU plan, considering commercial needs, key price points, business opportunities and a good, better, best philosophy. * Create brand right/market-relevant product that meets expectations in terms of value and cost. * Create new seasonal designs & review technicalCAD drawings. * Be available to regularly visit the TNF EMEA Headquarters in Stabio, Switzerland. * Work with product stewardship and regional technical teams to ensure product safety guidelines and requirements are met. * Be accountable to meet FOB targetsand negotiate when needed. * Plan and track the design and product development schedule of all products, ensuring the team delivers against the seasonal calendar milestones and product timelines. * Partner with Sourcing on vendor allocation and sourcing strategy.* Partner with Material team to develop new materials, construction techniques and support research into new developments as well as selection of existing/shared platforms. * In line with The North Face sustainability goals, play an active role in researchingand introducing innovations to help achieve these. How Youll Make A Difference… The North Face fundamental mission remains unchanged since 1966: Provide the best gear for our athletes and the modern day explorer, support the preservation of the outdoors,and inspire a global movement of exploration. We are looking for a real team player, who brings in creative and positive energy. The North Face product team is dynamic, strong and creative and we are looking for an inspiring personality that is full of energyand wants to push The North Face forward. * University Degree in Apparel/Design, Textile Engineering or Manufacturing/Engineering, or equivalent combination of education and experience * 8-10 years of experience in Apparel Design & Product Development (and/orTechnical Services), in a medium or large sized apparel company, with at least 2 years leading a team. * Must have a proven track record in product design & development, a background in sports performance / outerwear ideal but not essential. * Demonstratesa knowledge of fit, pattern making, and construction expertise, and knowledge of manufacturing processes and costing. * Demonstrates an advanced knowledge of product category, product materials, and product development lifecycle. * Excellent attention to details,aptitude for systems and systematic work. * Strong eye for trends in a sportswear and outdoor environment. * A passion for leadership & positively developing a strong, creative team. * Ability to build strong relationships with direct colleagues, accountsand across departments. * Able to find best solutions to problems and inspire new working methods. * A proactive, self-starter with strong communication skills. * Experience working with overseas factories and fabric suppliers. * Able to manage responsibilities& tasks without direction. * Must be flexible and adaptive to change. * Software skills: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Microsoft. * Languages: Excellent English communication & presentation skills. * Ability to travel internationally, if required.