Reports to: SVP of Production and Product Development
Location: Clare V. HQ, Los Angeles, CA (Silver Lake)
Primary Purpose:
Clare V. is looking for a Director of Product Development to join our growing team. In this role, you will manage the Product Development team through the entire development process from R&D to production handoff; meanwhile achieving design aesthetic, quality, and timeline goals. You are a dynamic leader that can navigate between the demands of design, suppliers, and other cross functional partners.
Responsibilities:
Sourcing
Works closely with the Design Director, internal R&D and import factories on seasonal offering needs to provide options in materials, suppliers, and techniques.
Sources alternate manufacturers and material suppliers to provide options in materials, products, and techniques as needed while building a tight factory partner base.
Directs seasonal style allocation to factories; ensures no one factory is overloaded.
Manages factory relationships for the benefit of the brand and in line with the strategic sourcing plan.
Supports brand sourcing strategy led by SVP of Production to onboard new full package suppliers. With the PD team, put together sampling materials and tech packs to vet new factories. Will also collaborate closely to define cost targets for these new initiatives.
Development
Managing the sourcing partner relationships through regular visits to local domestic factories, and weekly video calls with import partners.
Leads weekly meeting with Design to review development status and drive solution-based discussions around challenges impeding development.
Recommends enhancements, construction, and materials to meet aesthetic and financial targets. Resolves designs that do not meet design, merchandising, production, or financial needs.
Utilizes PD trackers to monitor and report on development ratios weekly. Addresses concerns immediately with Design and Merchandising to lessen unnecessary and costly sampling.
Directs the coordination of tech pack finalization, creating sample requests, and PLM system style setup within calendar to ensure timely sampling, and finalization through to Production.
Promotes the pass off of clean tech packs to manufacturing partners on behalf of design, communicating daily with import and domestic suppliers on questions and changes to specs, standards, and aiding in interpreting design needs.
With the PD team, reviews all prototypes and market samples to ensure faithful execution to spec.
Ensures that all needed sample materials are purchased, scheduled, monitored, and inventoried.
Manages the prototyping process of the PD team including: scheduling, monitoring, and reporting, flexing both factory and internal schedules to ensure productive milestone meetings and accurate execution to design.
Oversees the review and communication of style/material minimums, material costs, and lead times to Production and Planning as needed in the development cycle for proper planning of production flow.
Supports R&D with cost negotiations for all components and Costing Manager on finished goods costs based on margin plans and target retail structures. Reviews costing report prior to FDR meeting to drive conversations around margin challenges with key business leaders. Works closely with the cost manager to finalize all costing once market samples are complete.
Product Integrity
Governs the review of all components with an eye for quality, durability, and compliance
Ensures that all components and constructions used are compliant for performance and restricted substances prior to production
Oversees the testing in development of any questionable materials.
Calendar
Manages, and flexes calendar (annual and in-season) to ensure adherence of all deadlines associated with development of product.
Firm understanding of prioritization and managing unexpected delays by resolving with cross-functional teams and upper management.
Additional responsibilities
Manages monthly development expenses and weekly invoice processing to accounting. Communicates seasonal budget targets to the PD team and tracks expenses accordingly.
Managing team and cross functional relationships to ensure our product meets quality and cost requirements.
Provides weekly reporting on development status to department head for all active seasons. Provides development hindsight to cross functional partners at the end of the season.
International travels 2-3 times per year or as needed to fulfill the requirements of the role.
Attention to coaching and building a team; provides clear goals for each team member and actively contributes to building a collaborative team environment.
Works on other relevant projects as required by the department head.
Requirements:
BA/BS degree or equivalent life experience
Minimum 10 years' experience in leather fashion accessories product development, sourcing, and/or production. With at least 4 years managing a team of 4+ direct reports.
Experience working with both domestic and import factories.
Strong organizational, interpersonal and negotiation skills
Strong math and collaborative skills.
PLM experience required. WFX experience is a plus.
Strong proficiency in Excel and Google Suite required.
Ability to multi-task and manage competing priorities and can work with a keen sense of accuracy and urgency.
Proficiency in reading and understanding tech packs and bills of material.
Expert understanding of patternmaking and construction of handbags preferred.
Must be able to lift and carry up to 30 lbs.
About Clare V.
Founded in 2008 by Clare Vivier, Clare V. is dedicated to making beautiful, chic, functional, and fun products. We make bags, accessories, clothing, and jewelry and are committed to creating a kind, collaborative workplace and building a business committed to positive change. We love to work with smart, talented people from diverse backgrounds. We are based in Frogtown, on the eastside of Los Angeles.
Clare V. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture at Clare V. and within our community.
Notice to California applicants: https://privacy.clarev.com/job-applicant-privacy-notice