Senior Director, Product Development

Universal Music Group • New York, NY

94d • $107,130 - $238,150

About The Position

The Sr. Director Product Development & Sourcing will be an essential part of the UMG team, helping to drive execution of merchandise needs for Artist specific E-commerce Campaigns. This position will report directly to the VP of Product Development. This is a fast paced, high-volume position that requires tenured PD & sourcing experience for many different product categories, including Apparel, Hardline and Softline Accessories. The ability to establish partner relationships with the current vendor base and to source new suppliers is critical for the role. Focusing on competitive pricing, new ideation, quick turn times, quality control and on time deliveries is key. The Sr. Director Product Development & Sourcing is responsible for establishing, developing and directing the PD strategy for merchandise and accessories and effectively directing the business relationships with finished product suppliers.

Requirements

• 7 years of experience in apparel and accessories production and/or product development.
• Production/Buying/Sourcing experience.
• Diverse market segment background (men’s, juniors, and children's wear, accessories).
• Strong costing and product engineering skills.
• Established vendor base & relationships for apparel and accessories.
• Detail oriented with strong follow through skills.
• Extensive technical knowledge of raw materials, garment constructions, wash and print processes.
• Microsoft Suite and Adobe proficiencies (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Illustrator).
• Ability to work in a demanding, fast-paced environment.
• Strong Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving skills.
• Excellent communicator with the ability to build and maintain relationships.
• Flexible and adaptable; priorities change frequently based on business demands.
• Strong long-term strategic planning capability.
• Experience ingesting requirements and adapting workflows to accommodate those requirements.
• Bachelor’s degree (US or foreign equivalent) in Product Development, Textile Science, Fashion Design or sourcing.
• Extensive factory manufacturing process experience including production timeline management, fact-based costing, and pricing.
• Excellent written, verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Proven ability to manage and develop teams.
• Works well under pressure.

Nice To Haves

• Music Merch Production experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop/source new and existing fabric, trims, washes/dyes vendors for all upcoming development.
• Develop and maintain libraries for Fabric and Wash developments.
• Leverage trade tools to stay updated with trends and foresee new product opportunities.
• Identify new factories or expand facilities of existing factory base in the growing countries.
• Direct the Technical Design Team and Creative Team to ensure complete technical package is done to initiate development.
• Initiate time and action calendars and drive activity alongside cross-functional teams as well as Artist Management to remain on schedule.
• Ensure adherence to schedules via time and action management, close monitoring of key milestone dates.
• Management of pre-production/development timelines, reviewing reports and recommending solutions to exceptions.
• Manage all details in regard to the development process, managing the Sampling submits and effectively communicate all Design comments to vendors.
• Work collaboratively with the Brand Management and Creative teams to develop a final assortment that is executable in production.
• Negotiate and cost engineer products with vendors across multiple programs and communicate needs to the design team.
• Manage overall pricing and P&L analysis along with finance to ensure margin targets are met for new products and category introductions.
• Initiate weekly development touch bases with cross-functional meetings for potential order issues.
• Develop and manage process workflow improvements.
• Work alongside Production counterparts to ensure products being developed align with deadlines.
• Manage supplier’s product integrity and order specification compliance details.
• Provide risk assessment analysis based on complexity of design.
• Work alongside Compliance team to ensure new products developed meet Global requirements.
• Handle all ecommerce product set up details and work with the Store Management team for Product details.
• Liaise with suppliers to provide technical advice and give direction for problem solving.
• Manage fabric or blank selection process, confirm fabric and trim materials are available for prototype development.
• Manage liability of raw material supplies to ensure it can be utilized in product that can be sold.
• Work with design team to create future designs to utilize the excess raw materials.
• Attend Concept, Design Review and Selection meetings to understand upcoming styles.
• Promote collaboration, communication, and teamwork within the brand.
• Lead and manage a PD team for the Artist specific campaigns.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and FSA options.
• 100% coverage for out-patient mental health services.
• Wellbeing reimbursements for fitness classes, spa treatments, meal services, travel, and so much more (up to $720/year).
• A lifetime fertility support allowance of $30,000 to plan participants.
• Student Loan Repayment Assistance and Tuition Reimbursement.
• 100% immediately vested 401(k) match on the first 5% of your contribution on eligible compensation.
• Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) for exempt employees.
• 3-weeks PTO for non-exempt employees.
• 2-weeks paid Winter Break.
• 10 Company Holidays (including Juneteenth and Wellbeing Day).
• Summer Fridays (between Memorial Day and Labor Day).
• Generous paid parental leave for every type of parent.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees