Job Description
Director of Merchandising & Development:
Our client is looking for a
Director of Merchandising and Development to take charge of creating product assortments and sourcing strategies that drive profitability for COSABELLA. You’ll oversee the entire process from creation to production, making sure each collection is tailored to meet the needs of the target customer. Working closely with the Design team, you'll develop a line strategy that hits financial goals while delivering a cohesive, standout experience for COSABELLA’s consumers. Your leadership will play a key role in shaping the brand’s success.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Brand Management
- Define brand positioning strategy, target consumers, and brand action plans
- Define pricing policy based on market needs
- Ensure consistency between brand positioning, design, communication, visual merchandising, and sales promotions
- Piloting and coordination of all activities in Brand Management
- Achieve the target margin
Design & Product Management
- Supervise Product Development Manager and validate collection structure, line plan, and design briefings for new collections
- Manage the development of new products across markets (Sourcing and/or own production) from creation to delivery
- Adapt collections and product segments to the strategic objectives of the sales channels
- Coordinate brand design and product development team. Ensure that creative work is aligned with brand positioning
- Ensure on-time, on-budget, and quality development
- Last word – together with the General Manager - on all decisions impacting product (design, fit, price, margins, lifecycle, and delivery dates)
- Organization of collections and sales meetings and leading the collection presentation
- Frequent market visits; market and trend research
Analysis
- Preparation of international market analysis in various forms (qualities, prices, cuts, etc.)
- Creating analysis across all product assortment areas and sales channels
- Analysis of key performance metrics and benchmarks per collection and communicating results to key personnel
- Close cooperation with the sales team regarding collection input
- Control of product performance from launch – lifecycle tracking for basic and continuous revision and replacement
- Collection concept
- Identifying and implementing market trends and consumer needs in the US and abroad for all channels
- Picking up on and implementing new technical and fashion developments, driving innovation forward with the team
- Drawing up the collection planning, taking into account the price structure and contribution margin targets and SKU
- Regular market and trade fair visits
Implementation
- Coordinating and ensuring the collection flow and adherence to deadlines
- Detailed briefing to Head of Design
- Briefing to materials department regarding fabrics and quotes
- Develop and present marketing highlights from the product
- Create presentation materials for Product Development Manager / Sales
- Presentation of the collection to sales, press, employees, etc.
- Developing the products in the buying department in cooperation with the technical development department
- Close collaboration with fabric and garment suppliers
- Responsible for all necessary steps from briefing prototype to production-ready article (cut, fit, quality, material, and workmanship)
- Liaison between individual technical departments and suppliers
- Close cooperation and coordination with technical product development and material suppliers
- Participation in fittings, especially product development and prototype fittings, to ensure the COSABELLA signature, fit, and contribution margins
Product Development
- Define manufacturing policy and manage all design, development, and manufacturing teams
- Responsible for the global development and manufacturing process and ensure a close collaboration with product development, design, and manufacturing teams
- Technical development with all time, cost, and quality aspects
- Assurance of brand standards
- Troubleshooting during development and production process
- People and budget management
- Creation, implementation, and achievement of business plans / budgets
- Create constantly unique product innovations
- Team leading and coaching
- Perform other job-related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time
Education/Desirable Experience & Training
- At least 7-10 years of experience in a similar position in lingerie (or from the fashion industry)
- Business management background
- Brand professional with passion and enthusiasm
- Proven market and product knowledge
- All-rounder/generalist qualities, combined with a strong commercial approach
- A clear strategic thinker, a storyteller and creative marketer able to translate consumer insights
- An influencer and negotiator able to liaise with counterparts and key stakeholders
- Strong leadership skills and high personal integrity
- Excellent communication skills
- Self-confidence, positive charisma
- Structured, systematic working style
- Fashion competence, a sure feeling for trends
- Passion for visual quality and commercial success
- High flexibility
- International exposure and sensibility (ideally Europe)
