RTW Product Development Senior Manager

JOB SUMMARY As the AREA Manager of RTW Collection Product Development, You will take ownership of the RTW development process - working across teams to ensure creative designs are translated into practical and innovative market ready products. You are a critical cross-functional leader, pivotal in building aesthetically and quality authentic product while achieving financial goals.

MAIN OVERVIEW

• Manage working seasonal calendar and monitor progress alongside cross-departmental directors in building and implementing milestone deadlines for design team

 

• Mentor and supervise design team to navigate multilayered projects through completion

 

• Oversee all RTW development from first sketch to production pass-off, across categories such as soft wovens, denim, tailored suiting, knits, and outerwear

 

• Assign projects to pattern-makers and both domestic and international manufacturers to best realize the company vision as well develop viable product with newness and continuity

 

• Conduct weekly live model fittings that also serve as creative milestone meetings for the collection

 

• Address all fit issues with creative problem-solving and technicality alongside pattern-makers

 

• Build sampling schedule for domestic and international factories and delegate organized pass-offs between design team and sample-makers

 

• Work closely with sample-makers to uphold strong workmanship

 

• Communicate between design, embroidery and trims, production departments to move projects smoothly to next steps

 

• Develop and produce custom made-to-order pieces for celebrity clients and special projects

DEVELOPMENT and COLLECTION MANAGEMENT

• In collaboration with Creative Director / Design, work together to fully understand product intent.
• Reviews and oversees issuance of all specs and tech packs for accuracy, completeness, quality, and affordability prior to release.
• Recommends enhancements, construction and material options to elevate the product and our brand, hitting financial requirements. Resolves engineering that does not meet design, merchandising, production or financial needs.
• Coordinates with manufacturing partners and cross-functional teams to manage spec turnover within calendar to ensure timeliness in protos, SMS, and production.
• Reviews all prototypes and market samples to ensure accuracy in execution to spec.
• Participate during production and development fittings, communicating updated tech packs / specs to factories and following up to make sure adjustments are made timely

SOURCING

• Works closely with the design teams on seasonal offering needs to provide options for components and techniques, and costs that are on brand.
• Sources quality factory and manufacturing options for RTW categories including soft wovens, denim, tailored suiting, knits, and outerwear
• With the team, participates in on-going factory base performance reviews, and recommends improvements to factories, vendor base, and geography.

PRODUCT INTEGRITY

• Aims to instill quality in the product from onset of development through final production.
• Reviews all components with an eye for quality, and performance.
• Tests questionable materials and treatments in development cycle for performance and compliance to prevent a lapse in production.

CALENDAR

• Builds, manages, and flexes calendar to insure timely turnover of development, return of prototypes, and market samples and placement of final production.
• Monitors calendar daily to promote flow of development; apprises and resolves calendar variances with team and management.
• As needed works closely with design and production to resolve delivery and material issues affecting production.

LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT

• Promote an environment that fosters the respect for the ideas of others and supports ongoing collaboration to execute business strategies.
• Leads by example and operates effectively in the face of continuous pressure imposed by the work environment.
• Drive the department forward through process improvement and best practices.

Education & Prior Experience Needed

• BA/BS degree or equivalent life experience
• Minimum 3 years in product development, sourcing, and/or production
• Proficient PC skills (spreadsheets, word processing) PLM data management systems is a plus.
• Strong communication skills verbal and written - gives concise and focused information.
• Strong organizational skills. Ability to access information accurately and readily when needed.
• Able to work in a fluid, fast-paced, creative environment.
• Ability to travel as needed

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

AREA Studio LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to an individual’s age, race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy) or sexual orientation, gender expression, military status, marital status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, disability or membership in any other protected class under applicable law.