JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE:
Womenswear Product Developer
DEPARTMENT:
Womenswear
RESPONSIBLE TO:
Womenswear Controller
RESPONSIBLE FOR:
Assistant Product Developers
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:
Member Stores, Suppliers and AIS Personnel
OVERALL OBJECTIVES:
To develop a commercial own label Womenswear
range in line with the Womenswear Strategy and
members’ requirements to increase members’ and AIS
profitability.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Complete accountability for AIS Womenswear own label ranges which involves
sourcing, developing, range building and negotiating a commercially balanced
product offer, meeting all critical path requirements for members’ selection.
2. Working together with the Freelance Designer, you will demonstrate an
understanding of how to identify and interpret seasonal trends into a commercial
product offer for members’ selection and be able to refine this each season based on
feedback and performance of product ranges in member stores.
3. Identify and understand the needs of the target customer to develop a commercial
product offer for member selection.
4. Regularly visit and communicate with members and stores each season to gain
feedback and respond with appropriate and effective actions to improve the product
offer and build a thorough understanding of the members’ requirements and
demonstrate this throughout the sign off process.
5. Identify new product and market opportunities, where possible ahead of the
competition, in order to give members a competitive advantage.
6. Develop and strengthen commercial market knowledge by regular comparative
shopping and provide reports for the team.
7. Develop excellent working relationships with the store Principles, buyers, managers
and staff.
8. Responsible for Womenswear own label supplier strategy, ensuring the appropriate
suppliers are in place or new suppliers introduced, so that members benefit from
worldwide sourcing, competitive prices, style, quality of product and speed to market
to meet the members’ requirements.
9. Identify and source promotional offers each season for inclusion in the product
ranges for member selection.
10. Undertake UK and overseas travel as required, such as visiting manufacturers and
trade fairs, in line with responsibility for Womenswear own label product.
11. Ensure a close working relationship with the Womenswear Retail Division team and
use sales information and feedback to improve and develop the range selection in
line with member requirements and be able to demonstrate this.
12. Accountable for ensuring on time completion of own label ranges for the show,
including all associated administration required: - full set of range samples for show
selection, supplier details, negotiated trading terms, price confirmation/ negotiation,
size ratios, full product descriptions and all necessary information needed to collate
the product catalogue and show bulletin information.
13. Responsible for placing group orders with suppliers; re-negotiating prices if relevant
post show and confirming the delivery schedules. Ensuring that the team have all of
the accurate information in time to meet production and delivery schedules.
14. Working together with the Marketing department, to plan the organisation and
content of own label photo shoots each season in time for the shows. To produce
commercial and relevant photography for members to support own label product in
their stores.
15. Responsible for ensuring that all own label production conforms to quality standards
in terms of fit, make and quality, in line with the show sample and with AIS Quality
Standards manual.
16. Effective management of the Assistant Product Developers to support with their
personal development and ensure all critical deadlines are met and that the
department runs effectively.
17. Supervise the Assistant Product Developers on the progress of orders and ensure
deliveries achieve the agreed dates. Negotiate discount for late deliveries.
18. To be responsible for providing regular updates and effective communication on
product development and process to the Womenswear Controller and the wider team
throughout the development process.
19. Undertake any other duties as may, from time to time, be required by the Company.
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
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Experienced Womenswear Buyer with the ability to develop commercial own label
product ranges.
Demonstrate a high level of commercial awareness and have an exceptional
understanding of target customer and the Fashion retail market.
Strong sourcing, analytical and negotiation skills.
Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate verbally and in writing
at all levels internally and externally.
Creative, with an exceptional eye for product – can demonstrate the ability to
translate trends into commercial product ranges for the target customer.
A strong team player with the ability to work across teams and harness knowledge
and experience of others to benefit ranges
Computer literate (Word, Excel and PowerPoint would all be advantageous).
September 2015