Product Development Leader- US

Your purpose at Stanley/Stella

The Product Development leader USA will oversee the USA collection product development and play a critical role in the expansion of the Stanley/Stella brand.
 
You manage the product development from initial concept through to production. Ensuring Stanley/Stella quality standards are met across multiple categories and countries.  Along with managing the product development team with the EU Senior Product Development Manager, you will work closely across different departments.  
 
You will work in accordance to Stanley/Stella’s DNA, Brand Values and attitude as a foundation.

Your role and impact

• Lead the product development of the US collection, from initial concept and fabric selection through to prototyping and production launch while ensuring Stanley/Stella quality and sustainability requirements are met.
• Co-manage the product development team in partnership with the EU Senior Product Development Manager, ensuring coordination and collaboration on fabric and style developments between EU and US collections.
• Manage the annual US product development budget.
• Conduct mid-year and end-year performance reviews jointly with the EU Senior Product Development Manager
• Admin responsibilities under EU Senior Product Development manager as the main contact, with support/collaboration with the Product Development Manager USA.
• Manage seasonal calendar to achieve collection launch deadlines.
• Conduct ongoing research on sizing, competition, quality and compliance for the USA collection.
• Ensure all product is compliant for USA (GCCs, CPCs, flammability, etc).
• Support in new vendor onboarding and ensuring consistency in fabrics, fit, and trims between sourcing regions
• Sample management follow through from order placement to sample checking upon arrival (Photoshoot, sales samples, team samples, fair samples, etc).
• Maintain and update product development sections of supplier manuals 
• Onsite trips to production countries for launch production checks and quality assurance
• Guiding the collection development to reach target prices
• Liase with Quality and Sales departments for quality claim and/or customer feedback, while arranging necessary next steps if needed
• Assisting marketing and communications department with support on technical product information, lookbook reviews and style sheets.

Partner cross-functionally with Design, Product Managers, Sourcing, Operations, and Sustainability teams to ensure cohesive product execution.

About you

• 10+ years of experience in product development, sourcing, production, and garment tech.
• 2+ years management experience
• University Degree in Apparel, Textiles or Related Field
• Proven track record of managing supplier relationships and transferring programs between regions.
• Ability to troubleshoot technical or production challenges
• Experience in multiple product types + men/women/unisex/kids
• Excellent intercultural verbal/written communication and follow through skills required
• Ability to handle shifting priorities throughout the work day
• Attention to detail and excellent organizational skills
• Ability and willingness to travel globally
• Team player and enjoys a collaborative environment 
• Fluent in English. French or Dutch is a plus
• Proficient with Microsoft Suite and Adobe Illustrator.  Having worked in a PLM system would be a plus.