Senior Product Manager - Goodies Category
Jenny Bird
- Toronto, ON
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Oversee development life cycle of all Goodies products from sampling to delivery: You will manage development and pre-production processes, active production runs, inspections, shipping, and timely delivery of products according to the product calendar.
- Project management: collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet various project needs and deadlines.
- Plan and manage the product calendar, and ensure the PD team adheres to development and production timelines.
- Maintain shared visibility of the development process and open communication of the calendar with cross-functional teams.
- Analyze and evaluate vendor capabilities according to new project specifications, sustainable offerings, social compliance, and pricing, and advise on most suitable partnerships.
- Work closely with the Technical Design & Product Specialist: actively participate in the sampling process and initial sample reviews.
- Support development team in creating or revising tech packs as needed using Adobe Illustrator.
- Gather and analyze quotes from vendors and participate in price negotiations to improve margins for new and existing products.
- Work with Supply Chain Operations team to assess import costs and freight options
- Create purchase orders using our ERP system, according to buy plans provided by the Planning team. Send purchase orders to vendors and ensure all relevant order details are communicated.
- Schedule and manage vendor payments with the Finance team.
- Coordinate with PD & Production Manager of Packaging to create and provide factories with product packaging and shipment packing instructions.
- Oversee quality and compliance requirements for Goodies products, and collaborate with overseas partners to maintain highest standards of operation (social, ethical and environmental responsibility).
- Review pre-production and top-of-production samples with the development team and submit feedback to vendors.
- Monitor active production runs and third party inspections to ensure timely completion.
- Work with the Operations team to provide factories with import requirements and documentation in advance of shipping.
- Communicate with factories to ensure orders are inspected, shipped and delivered on time.
- Identify issues and problem solve to overcome challenges that arise throughout production (delays, quality control, material sourcing, shipping/import issues, etc.).
- Provide experienced-based feedback and insight to drive continuous improvement of product quality, processes, and timelines.
- Contribute to the wear testing guidelines for Goodies, outlining what quality issues to test based on risk areas of the product understood through its development. Incorporate wear testing results into improving future developments.
- Seize opportunities to contribute design and new product ideas to the PD team.
- Take on ad-hoc small batch projects with local (onshore) production partners: manage development process from start to finish including: sourcing, cost analysis, sampling, production, and delivery.
- Bachelor's degree in relevant field of study
- Professional experience in product development (4+ years preferred). Refer to Appendix A for a list of relevant product categories. Experience working at retail DTC brands and/or building new product lines are pluses.
- Self-starter who is able to manage and coordinate multiple projects simultaneously
- Extremely organized and pays meticulous attention to detail
- Takes initiative to problem solve and exercises sound judgment and resourcefulness
- Acts promptly and proactively to overcome challenges
- Contributes impactful ideas and solutions
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment through self-prioritization; can quickly adapt to changing priorities
- Exceptional interpersonal skills; the ability to communicate effectively at all levels throughout the organization
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator)
- Understanding of Technical Packages / Specification Sheets
- Familiarity with compliance audits and regulations such as SMETA, REACH and Prop 65 is preferred
- General financial logic: Ability to gather quotes and analyze and compare costs for new products
- Ability to work flexible hours (some evenings) to communicate with our overseas partners
- Language fluency in Mandarin (verbal and/or written) is a plus
- An eye for design, color, and quality in fashion and decor is a plus
- Jewelry Travel Cases
- Pouches and Bags
- Hair Accessories
- Leather Goods (Handbags, Wallets, etc.)
- Fashion Accessories (Belts, Hats, Socks, etc.)
- Tech Accessories
- Home Goods (Decor & Storage Solutions)
- Stationery
- Luggage & Travel Goods