[Hiring] Associate Manager of Product Development @URBN

Role Description

Free People is looking for an Associate Manager of Product Development who will make independent decisions and set team goals within their core function. This role independently drives development and process efficiencies within their function, voicing concerns in a constructive manner and communicating goals and progress proactively to team members. With the support of their manager, the Associate Manager of Product Development will also manage internal and external stakeholders.

• Facilitate and execute brand’s vision through the appropriate allocation of product and the sourcing of materials which deliver the right aesthetic while meeting target product costs and time and action requirements.
• Achieve seasonal calendar actualization.
• Develop relationships with supplier base to ensure alignment of category business needs. Manage through roadblocks and see through to resolution.
• Attend Concept and Sketch Review meetings to understand and clarify Design’s intention, tone, and important style aspects.
• Manage bulk cost negotiations with vendor base; meet or exceed targets.
• Analyze and identify opportunities for Merchant to improve adoption rates and approved style count targets as dictated by seasonal line plan. Support Merchant’s business requirements by aligning product category needs, and update and communicate all style, cost, and delivery changes.
• Coordinate with cross functional teams on category development process, including research of pre-style development, tracking and review of pre-style packages, ensuring compliance of product within category to internal testing standards, and managing sample evaluation, accuracy, and quality.
• Collaborate with cross functional partners on engineering options for category target costs and minimums, required lead times, and final IMU, with the goal of driving speed, sales, and financial results.
• Lead vendor conversations regarding daily roadblocks and see through to resolution.
• Independently form cross-team discussion and direct deliverables, deadlines and hand-offs effectively. Help others learn the Brand DNA and requirements. Seek feedback consistently.
• Manage and coach coordinators on team.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of progressive development and sourcing experience within a complex, fast-paced apparel/home furnishings environment.
• Specialty retail and/or direct-to-consumer experience is preferred.
• Proven success building cross-functional relationships, and effectively communicating with internal and external customers.
• Works with a high sense of urgency and integrity, easily and quickly adapts to change, and is motivated by deadlines and new challenges.
• Proficient in subject area.
• Experience in mentoring and training others is preferred.
• Able to execute on projects when given clear guidelines and strategy.
• Able to work independently to achieve goals.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Perks & Benefits to employees.
• Medical, dental, vision.
• PTO.
• Generous employee discounts.
• Retirement savings.
• Much more!