Senior Product Manager – Goodies Category

Job title:

Senior Product Manager – Goodies Category

Company

Jenny Bird

Job description

The Opportunity:Hi, I’m Rachel from JENNY BIRD, and I am the Sr. Manager of Innovation, Sustainability & Adjacent Product Design. I joined the company 4 years ago and have had an amazing experience building our packaging program and new adjacent product category, Goodies! This is a very exciting time for our team, with limitless possibilities and creativity at the forefront. Our recently launched Goodies category introduces new and innovative products outside of our core jewelry collection, while maintaining the thoughtful design and elevated quality that our customers know and love.We are looking for an experienced Sr. Product Manager to join our Product Development team. In this role, you will oversee the development life cycle and production of a diverse range of products in the Goodies category (see Appendix A for a list of product types that Goodies currently includes, and development that is planned for the next 12+ months). You will report into me and work closely with our Technical Design & Product Specialist. The ideal candidate should be well-versed in managing product development and production processes, vendor relationships, and quality control.Our teams include sales, marketing, design, creative services, production, operations and finance, with a global partnership network. Our staff are award-winning visionaries, led by an all-woman executive team.We are a fast moving, complicated business with direct to consumer, wholesale and major department sales channels with customer experience at the core. We value our partnerships, developing and strengthening our relationships with our boutiques and majors. We focus on strategic temporary pop up events, with no permanent retail footprint plans. We are inspired by our consumers, and consciously strategize how we can exceed our five star shopping experience.Responsibilities:

• Oversee development life cycle of all Goodies products from sampling to delivery: You will manage development and pre-production processes, active production runs, inspections, shipping, and timely delivery of products according to the product calendar.
• Project management: collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet various project needs and deadlines.
• Plan and manage the product calendar, and ensure the PD team adheres to development and production timelines.
• Maintain shared visibility of the development process and open communication of the calendar with cross-functional teams.
• Analyze and evaluate vendor capabilities according to new project specifications, sustainable offerings, social compliance, and pricing, and advise on most suitable partnerships.
• Work closely with the Technical Design & Product Specialist: actively participate in the sampling process and initial sample reviews.
• Support development team in creating or revising tech packs as needed using Adobe Illustrator.
• Gather and analyze quotes from vendors and participate in price negotiations to improve margins for new and existing products.
• Work with Supply Chain Operations team to assess import costs and freight options
• Create purchase orders using our ERP system, according to buy plans provided by the Planning team. Send purchase orders to vendors and ensure all relevant order details are communicated.
• Schedule and manage vendor payments with the Finance team.
• Coordinate with PD & Production Manager of Packaging to create and provide factories with product packaging and shipment packing instructions.
• Oversee quality and compliance requirements for Goodies products, and collaborate with overseas partners to maintain highest standards of operation (social, ethical and environmental responsibility).
• Review pre-production and top-of-production samples with the development team and submit feedback to vendors.
• Monitor active production runs and third party inspections to ensure timely completion.
• Work with the Operations team to provide factories with import requirements and documentation in advance of shipping.
• Communicate with factories to ensure orders are inspected, shipped and delivered on time.
• Identify issues and problem solve to overcome challenges that arise throughout production (delays, quality control, material sourcing, shipping/import issues, etc.).
• Provide experienced-based feedback and insight to drive continuous improvement of product quality, processes, and timelines.
• Contribute to the wear testing guidelines for Goodies, outlining what quality issues to test based on risk areas of the product understood through its development. Incorporate wear testing results into improving future developments.
• Seize opportunities to contribute design and new product ideas to the PD team.
• Take on ad-hoc small batch projects with local (onshore) production partners: manage development process from start to finish including: sourcing, cost analysis, sampling, production, and delivery.

Note that some of the above responsibilities may be tweaked slightly based on the candidate’s experience and areas of strength. Any such minor amendments to the above will be shared with the candidate as a part of the hiring process.

Expectations:At JENNY BIRD, we seek managers who have effective communication skills and are conscious and kind leaders. It is important that our leaders naturally embody our brand mission of empowering and uplifting others. We are looking for a compassionate and reliable individual who will lead with empathy, inspire their teammates and peers with a strong work ethic, all whilst supporting the growth of their team members through establishing a relationship built on trust and respect.As a brand, we have seen incredible growth and success through our team’s proactiveness, curiosity and desire to learn while building. We look for managers who embody these traits and have the confidence and comfortability to not only manage and collaborate laterally, but to also work directly with our founder to communicate ideas and support the company’s goals and manage up when required.What you bring to the table:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field of study
• Professional experience in product development (4+ years preferred). Refer to Appendix A for a list of relevant product categories. Experience working at retail DTC brands and/or building new product lines are pluses.
• Self-starter who is able to manage and coordinate multiple projects simultaneously
• Extremely organized and pays meticulous attention to detail

• Takes initiative to problem solve and exercises sound judgment and resourcefulness
• Acts promptly and proactively to overcome challenges
• Contributes impactful ideas and solutions
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment through self-prioritization; can quickly adapt to changing priorities
• Exceptional interpersonal skills; the ability to communicate effectively at all levels throughout the organization
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator)
• Understanding of Technical Packages / Specification Sheets
• Familiarity with compliance audits and regulations such as SMETA, REACH and Prop 65 is preferred
• General financial logic: Ability to gather quotes and analyze and compare costs for new products
• Ability to work flexible hours (some evenings) to communicate with our overseas partners

• Language fluency in Mandarin (verbal and/or written) is a plus
• An eye for design, color, and quality in fashion and decor is a plus

This role involves physical product review and coordination of our samples and studio space. Must be flexible to be in the Toronto office up to 3 days a week. The candidate must also be able and willing to travel internationally: Including, but not limited to the United States, China, Hong Kong, and Thailand, on a semi-annual to quarterly basis.Appendix AGoodies Product SubtypesCurrently In Development:

• Jewelry Travel Cases
• Pouches and Bags
• Hair Accessories

Future Developments (some of which will start in 2024):

• Leather Goods (Handbags, Wallets, etc.)
• Fashion Accessories (Belts, Hats, Socks, etc.)
• Tech Accessories
• Home Goods (Decor & Storage Solutions)
• Stationery
• Luggage & Travel Goods

Perks at JENNY BIRD● 3 weeks vacation + 3 float days + Summer Fridays (we close the office early at 1 pm)● Your birthday off!● A comprehensive benefits program + health care spending account● Parental leave top-up● Professional development budget to use towards courses and/or certificates● Perks on JENNY BIRD products!Location● We have flexible working arrangements for the team. Currently, our team is working remotely 2-3 days a week and are required to be in the office the other days● Our office is located at The East Room at 507 King Street EastJENNY BIRD does not discriminate in hiring or terms and conditions of employment because of an individual’s race, ancestry, colour, place of origin, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, sexual orientation, family status or marital status, or any other protected category recognized by provincial or federal laws.Should you require any accommodation, please inform us and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs. For any accessibility-related assistance, requests for information in accessible alternative formats or to report any accessibility problems, please share in your application or email. #LI-hybridPowered by JazzHR

Expected salary

Location

Toronto, ON

Job date

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 04:35:38 GMT

To help us track our recruitment effort, please indicate in your email/cover letter where (hiring-jobs.com) you saw this job posting.