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Aspinal of London are looking for a Product Developer to support the Product Development Manager in the development function from initial concept to seasonal sign off and SMS stage. Ensuring that all product is developed in line with company expected intake margin requirements and meets all key stakeholder “milestones” in terms of delivery.

To support the Product Development Manager in achieving the business critical path to key business partners, including Design, Marketing, Production and Wholesale sales team, working closely with all key stakeholders in this process.

This position works closely with key stakeholders such as Design, Supply base, Production and Merchandise.

This role is based at our Head Office in West Sussex and will require attending the office at least four days per week.

Accountabilities

• Manage all leather developments in work for the season, liaising with the tanneries to ensure all requests are met and delivered on time
• Follow up with resourced and/or new hardware developments, ensuring all pieces are approved and signed off before entering bulk production
• Ensure the Product Development Administrator keeps all development & raw material tools up to date
• Shared responsibility of the delivery of prototypes & SMS at all key stages, ensuring the range plan criteria and design brief is met
• Support the Product Development Manager in delivering the design brief and brand essence of the collection, ensuring all commercial elements are met within the range plan

Product

• Work closely with the Product Development Manager on sending new development packs out to suppliers, ensuring the CAD and fabrication detail is accurate
• Understand how the collection is formed based on the range plan requirements from Merchandising, which delivers a balanced price architecture, taking into consideration sales history and competitor analysis
• Be aware of product costings and how they are calculated by each factory
• Supervise the Product Development Administrator in adding fabrication details to new CADs
• Responsible for following up with all outstanding developments assigned to the Product Developer, ensuring these arrive inline with the critical path timeline
• Work with the supply base on construction changes to deliver “Fit for Purpose” product for both Seasonal & Continuity styles
• Support the Product Development Manager in critiquing any new products & issuing comments to factories
• Distribute wearer trials for new products and/or raw materials at the start of each season
• Calculate a BOM for new prototype requests, working with the Product Development Administrator to send all raw material requirements out to factories
• Joint responsibility with the Product Development Team in sample management of all prototypes & SMS' ensuring all are clearly labelled & are uploaded to NAV where necessary
• Support the Product Development Manager in resourcing Continuity product to new supply bases to achieve the desired margin
• Work closely with the Retail & Wholesale teams to understand customer feedback and how this can be factored into new developments as well as improving Continuity styles
• Explore all sustainable angles for every new seasonal product and understand the impact on margin

Raw Materials

• Own the raw material development lifecycle, from concept through to approved samples
• Set the raw material standards, ensuring these are approved by the relevant stakeholder before sending to the suppliers and factories
• Ensure all new raw materials are tested internally or externally and have passed before proceeding to bulk production
• Have a clear understanding of hardware development and the technical requirements which make it fit for purpose
• Responsible for setting up the BOM Bible each season, ensuring all consumptions and hardware are inputted correctly
• Manage and develop the Product Development Administrator to fully understand her role and responsibilities
• Work closely with the Raw Materials Coordinator to ensure all information is uploaded to NAV in a timely manner
• Cross source raw materials to local or new suppliers to improve margin and quality
• Constant awareness to new sustainable materials on the market and how this can be incorporated into Aspinal's sustainable vision
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Word, Excel & PowerPoint
• Experience using Adobe Illustrator
• Highly organised and excellent attention to detail
• Ability to prioritise, manage own time and work well under pressure to meet critical deadlines
• Self-motivated and proactive
• Excellent communications skills and a can-do attitude
• Confidentiality

Competencies:

• Proficiency in using Microsoft Word, Excel & PowerPoint
• Experience using Adobe Illustrator
• Highly organised and excellent attention to detail
• Ability to prioritise, manage own time and work well under pressure to meet critical deadlines
• Self-motivated and proactive
• Excellent communications skills and a can-do attitude
• Confidentiality

Other:

• Ideally 2+ years experience within a product development role for leather goods and accessories.
• Strong technical knowledge of leather goods and constructions
• To perform other related duties as assigned or requested
• Continuously develop yourself and maintain knowledge in your relevant field
• Be prepared to travel as the business requires

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Training & Induction
• Hybrid Working Opportunities
• Generous Product Discount
• Competitive Salary
• Cycle Scheme