Manager Product Development

David's Bridal•King of Prussia, PA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

At David’s Bridal, we empower our customers and our employees to stay true to their dreams and find the one, whether that means the wedding dress that matches her personal style—or the career that’s a perfect fit. We’re looking for leaders with diverse backgrounds and fresh ideas to help create a uniquely personal retail experience. Join a company that dominates the products in their category – 1 out of 3 being sold by them and taking care of them with one of the highest customer service scores in retail! We Make Dreams Happen! The Product Development Manager is a dynamic, multi-faceted cross functional team member who partners with merchandising, design and the global supply chain to achieve aesthetically pleasing and quality product that meets both cost and delivery targets.

Requirements

Bachelors in textiles or fashion preferred
10+ years preferred
Ability to communicate promptly and accurately via computer, telephone, or similar device with or without assistive technology
Ability to perform sedentary work
Ability to balance, bend, kneel, squat, and reach
Regularly lift and/or move up to 20 pounds
Ability to travel by car, rail, or air
strong taste level to lead fabric, color and style trend
Good leadership with strong cross functional collaborative skills
strong understanding of color / color approval process
solid knowledge of technical design / garment construction

Responsibilities

Provide direction and research on fabric trend for adult social, Junior social, Bridesmaids, LWD, and Accessories. Issue seasonal Fabric trend report to the US and JV design teams as well as merchant teams. Collaborate with the color team on seasonal palettes for multiple product lines
Direct fabric development, procurement, and sourcing, cost, availability, and minimums for all divisions of the business. Negotiate fabric and trim costs where needed.
Define and address issues and concerns that impact cost and styling during the product development process. Offer solutions to hit financial goals. Use knowledge of garment construction to make style adjustments to achieve IMU target and help facilitate fit notes
Manage the Sketch review and sketch selection process with design and merchant teams for all divisions. Communicate all sketch details and issue line sheets to the JV detailing fabrics trims, and style changes. Assure that product development calendar milestones are met
Provide seasonal direction on Print for all divisions. Manage the acquisition and execution of printed fabrics through print houses and freelancers including purchase and budget, colorization, strike off and production.
Participate in all product fittings, offer solutions to fit and sizing issues.
Build, update and maintain working fabric library for all divisions and of the business