Product Specialist

My client is looking to recruit a Product Specialist/Category Manager/Buyer for their team that is continuously growing. The role of a Product Specialist is for a curious and enthusiastic product lover, responsible for developing best-in-class product ranges, maximising value for money and driving innovation in the marketplace. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for continuous improvement, consistently delivering exceptional products that meet and exceed customer expectations.

Key Responsibilities

Overall product development working in a four-point approach to product

1. Seasonal ranges by brand

• Overall ownership of key categories / brands becoming an expert in your space.
• Curating product ranges by season touching all applicable price points and formats.

1. Trend led product

• Being an expert in your space, identifying trends or trending products.
• Responsible for reacting to trends, working with factories and internal teams to be first to market.

1. Customer specific product

• Responsible for reacting to customer specific briefs set by sales.
• Sourcing, costing and sampling adhering to short deadlines whilst delivering best cost and quality product.

1. Everyday 365 product

• Applying an adaptable approach to continuous development on everyday core skus.

Product sourcing / supplier management

• Identifying key suppliers and suitable factories understanding the appropriate sourcing route and preferred supplier for product.
• Establishing and maintaining good relationships with existing and potential new suppliers.
• Completion of new factory profile forms and ensuring all new factories are approved by QA.
• Negotiation of trading terms.
• Cost negotiation and completion of costing sheets ensuring margin is in line with company expectations.
• Ensure products costs are in line with material costs with the support of the head of PD.
• Responsible for samples across all lines negotiating samples with factories minimising costs to the business.
• International travel as and when required to visit supplier's showroom / factories.
• Attending trade shows to meet with suppliers to manage relationships and to source new suppliers.
• Regular video calls to maintain and strengthen supplier relationships.
• Sourcing of new trends, hot products.
• Creating product briefs for suppliers and factories, working with design and QA to ensure we are up to date with standards for products and factoriy

Critical path management

• Ownership of the product Development Critical Path Management.
• Ensuring product critical paths and weekly workloads are on track to achieve deadlines from concept to pre-production with design and factories.
• Ensuring deadlines are adhered to and follow up on all sample issues to resolve and drive to completion.
• Identifying, calling out and making recommendations to mitigate any risks/challenges identified at all stages.
• Monitoring order Critical Path with Merch to ensure intake dates are met.

Only relevant candidates will be contacted.