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Full or Part Time
£35,000 - £45,000 + Superb Benefits
As a result of our client's impressive, sustained growth and an exciting product led agenda, a rare opportunity now exists for a dynamic, naturally inquisitive and commercially focused individual with strong, 'hands-on' experience of product lifecycle management, to join a leading supplier of textile accessory brands to the business-to business personalisation industry in a broad ranging, highly rewarding role.
As the home of four leading textile brands, each with their own unique identity and philosophy, our client has established themselves as the go-to brand for quality, innovative products in the rebrandable accessories market.
Working as a part of our client's growing Product Development team, the successful Product Line Specialist will take responsibility for creating competitive analysis and interpreting market trends, providing recommendations and guidance for future product design range direction. In addition, there is also a responsibility to support the entire process ensuring products move smoothly and efficiently through the product lifecycle process.
The ideal candidate will have some previous experience in a multifaceted role requiring a blend of technical knowledge and management skills. Applications are preferred form individuals with knowledge of the textiles/garment sector. However, individuals with relevant transferrable product lifecycle skills gained in an allied sector are also invited to apply
Key Responsibilities
- Collaborate closely with the Designers, Merchandiser and Product Manager to provide exceptional design work.
- Stay current with emerging fashion trends as well as general trends relating to fabrics, colours, and shapes.
- Plan and develop ranges by costing products, researching the market, negotiating prices, analysing product and delivery costs and briefing designers on the requirements of the business.
- Track and analyse SKU adoption through all levels of the product lifecycle seasonally by brand.
- Coordinator for end-to-end product development.
- Create and maintain seasonal line plans for each brand alongside design manager and design team.
- Research and develop ranges for Beechfield including identifying key shapes for the season, colour, fabric and building a range which offers choice for our European customer base.
- Adhere to the critical path to achieve deadlines, ensuring product is developed for the relevant and optimum selling period.
- Produce presentation materials that communicate the concepts and inspirations behind our products.
- Travel seasonally within the UK, Europe and East Asia (around 1 trip per year)
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure product quality and efficiency.
Skills & Experience
- Strong attention to detail, highly organised, self-sufficient and able to meet tight deadlines.
- Experience in building inspiration/concept presentations and mood boards for seasonal concepts and direction.
- An active and proficient participant in the creative process and cross-functional communication with all levels of the organisation.
- Experience of working and communicating directly with overseas manufacturing partners to ensure the accuracy of sampling and materials executions.
- Commercial awareness gained through competitive shop visits and research of available data, for example via trade press.
- Ability to create and edit files using CAD/Adobe programs including Illustrator, and Photoshop.
- Excellent negotiation skills and possess the ability to liaise with suppliers to achieve desired target margin.
- Graduate degree in fashion, merchandising, textiles or related field or equivalent combination of education and/or experience required.
Essential criteria
- A minimum of 5 years experience in product lifecycle management
- Understands and is proficient in the product development process
- Demonstrated experience leading a group of people, project or process
- Proficiency in PLM software and tools
- Excellent communication and leadership skills
- Excellent MS-Office skills (Excel, Word, Power Point)
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Experience in workflow optimisation and process improvement - Desirable
- Knowledge of our industry standards and regulations - Desirable
Our Benefits
- 22 days holiday increasing with length of service
- Positive attendance award - Potential to earn day per quarter for zero sickness
- Birthday off - Additional to your annual leave
- 2 x volunteer days through the year
- Private Healthcare Scheme and Life Assurance x 4 annual salary
- Free access to a Wellbeing practitioner and counselling physiotherapist
- Free eye tests and annual flu jabs
- Option of a Fitbit after 6 months service
- Cycle to work and electric vehicle schemes
- Modern office space with free parking and free onsite electric vehicle charging points
- Funded social activities throughout the year
This is a fantastic opportunity for an analytical, highly detail driven individual to join a successful business at a time of impressive growth, in a key product development role as part of a friendly, supportive and highly successful team. A competitive, negotiable salary based on experience is on offer, in addition to an impressive company bonus and an employee centred benefits package. Apply now!
