Product Development Director

s
Company: Stio
Location: Jackson, WY 83001

Apply

StioÂŽ is looking for a full time Product Development Director to join our team in Jackson Hole, WY.


Your Role


As Product Development Director (PDD) at Stio you plan, manage and oversee all aspects of product development for all categories of Stio manufactured product in alignment with our premium brand and considerate of function, end use, competitive landscape, and trend. Key areas of responsibility include Materials and Trims management (Bill of Materials), fit consistency (Graded Spec), quality construction (Tech Pack) and costing management, according to the seasonal timeline, production standards, materials, positioning and company margin objectives. Key areas of cross functional alignment include Design, Line Planning and Sourcing & Production. The PDD leads the brand through product creation cycles through timeline and WIP management and drives revenue. The PDD holds final accountability for all products through a team of product and materials managers. PDD champions the commercialized product to support cross functional teams and go to market strategies.


Your Skills
The Product Development Director is a critical thinker with awareness of cascading issues and experience solving problems. The PDD has exposure and experience in the complete product creation cycle from materials and trims to constructions and patterning as well as product assembly in a wide range of product types including technical and casual apparel and soft and hard goods accessories. The PDD has a high level of understanding of raw materials, sewing techniques, product creation processes and the ability to scale with integrity in each of these processes. PDD has demonstrated quality leadership, talent development and can nurture strong attention to detail and clear, concise communication. PDD is able to train and communicate construction, patterning and development techniques to internal and external partners in order to consistently delivery to standards using multiple resources.
PDD can lead critical evaluation of prototypes against the intended design, specifications and line plan to achieve the final approved bulk product. With a sharp application of timelines and the ability to identify and employ efficiency tactics, the PDD can produce a range of products in accordance with the commercialization timeline and margin expectations of the season. Through a strong understanding of patterning & fabric drape as well as garment construction and factory skill, PDD leads the team to apply tech designs and fabric selections to create silhouettes that match the needs of the brand and the industry demands. PDD can translate and apply many types of feedback to products and can leverage a combination of functional and innovative software programs to deliver to expectations. The PDD has the ability to manage self and others to maintain schedules and standards and takes the initiative in the functional role to drive the brand forward.


Your Responsibilities


  • Demonstrate and set expectations for effective, clear and timely communication through product development team


  • Collaborate with Senior Product Line Manager to ensure seasonal Line Plan supports successful launch of product range including key inputs such as style status, factory, developer, cost and main body fabric

  • Inform and support the management of the materials and trims assortment to meet function garment needs


  • Actively manage factory relationships including forecasting, costing, timelines and work flow


  • Manage the product development process for inline, accessory and private label products considerate of materials, construction that meet design expectations and achieve gross margin targets


  • Gather physical and visual evidence including photos, reports and samples to support creative design and technical execution for the products


  • Plan and track the development schedule of all product to ensure timely completion of development according to the product calendar & corporate timeline


  • Execute technical development of the range to ensure top quality construction suited for the materials and end use of the product


  • Execute fit intent (silhouette) considerate of fit statement, design, end use, trend and intent of the product through clear analysis, documentation, communication and adherence to fit and brand identity standards


  • Create, implement and maintain resources to deliver consistent fit across categories and end uses


  • Create, maintain and publish all digital and physical records associated with styles including but not limited to measurements, Bill of Materials, technical sketches, comments and revisions, competitive shops and associated samples


  • Partner with factories to develop new construction techniques, processes and samples needed to create innovative and technically sound products


  • Hire, train and coach up to 5 direct reports to achieve business, product and personal goals


  • Manage development team to address broad scale and scope of seasonal development needs. Evaluate strengths to meet the technical demands of the product


  • Troubleshoot construction challenges through partnership with technical design and production teams, detail sketches and thorough review of all products

  • Facilitate, through development team, hand off of production ready skus to production team by delivering completed specification for each product and all product records with complete and accurate Name, Number, Location, Tech Pack, Color BOM and Measurement details with consideration to special attention for quality.
  • Educate cross-functional teams on features and benefits of the seasonal product range during key milestone meetings throughout the development process to support product marketing
  • Implement and maintain Backbone PLM system as the primary platform for all product creation processes such as spec templates, process create tech sketches, creating & maintaining BOMs, updating color BOMs, publish revisions Adhere to annual Product Development budget and contribution to topline revenue, margin and EBITDA goals


  • Serve as development team facilitator of brand sustainability and transparency objectives through durable product construction and factory relationships


  • Support auxiliary product ranges such as, bags and other agent developed categories as needed. Maintain active connection to seasonal offering

  • International and Domestic travel as needed up to 30% of the year


Experience


  • Bachelor’s degree or higher


  • 5+ years product development with a successful record of bringing product to market


  • Manage a complete product lifecycle to on time delivery


  • Trained and coached 2+ direct reports to success


  • Positive partnerships with cross functional teams


  • Successfully managed competing priorities