Vice President of Product Development

Summary: At Alexander Wang, we are looking for a VP of Product Development who will provide leadership to the Design, Atelier/Sample Room, and Development teams. The core responsibility will drive the design and development process from initial aesthetic direction through the salesman sample stage. The ideal candidate will provide visibility to all divisions during the collection process and cohesion between all departments. successfully executes the seasonal vision of the creative director in a way that supports all company objectives. This role requires a combination of creative insight, market awareness, factory/vendor relations, and strong leadership skills to drive the development, selection, and products that align with the company's goals and resonate with our target consumers. this role reports to the SVP, Production.

RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to:

• Works with Creative Director and SVP of Apparel Design to develop seasonal themes and executes the collection in a way that meets all expectations

• Drives the creation and adherence to the seasonal calendars in partnership with the Sr. Director of Product Development, Design, & Studio Director.

• Creates seasonal developmental budgets and maintains budgetary controls on spending

• Provide technical and administrative support to design teams through atelier, TD design, and global sample rooms worldwide

• Manages team priorities and aligns timeliness of deliverables across internal resources and external partner

• Travels to applicable shows and fairs annually to identify emerging trends and design inspiration.

• Establish and meet KPI goals to drive improvement for development rate and adoption rate.

• Ensures all creative departments are working cohesively and partnering on all collection themes

• Streamlines all development processes

• Participates in all developmental fittings, sketch reviews, materials reviews and streamlines processes when necessary

• Identify new factory partners to satisfy expectations in design, quality, cost, delivery, sustainability and innovation. Ensure reduced risk of supply chain loss by diversifying in new regions.

• Fosters strong relationships with overseas suppliers and manufacturers to facilitate efficient product development.

• Negotiates contracts and terms with new and existing vendors to secure favorable agreements for the company.

• Builds and maintains strong partnerships with suppliers to ensure quality, cost-effectiveness, and timely delivery.

• Actively problem solves and seeks solutions by working across the organization to ensure product quality and safety from inception through commercialization.

• Partners with production, merchandising and sales to ensure all products being developed fall within correct price categories and merchandising plan

• Responsible for seasonal product knowledge book information and live materials briefings to global sales teams during market week launch

• Partner with Merchandising to be aware of all pricing and technical information for all materials and design treatments as well as hand-off to production division and follow-through of quality during production phase

• Ensures all departments have visibility to collection development while respecting design team’s time and focus

• Establish credibility throughout the organization as an effective developer of solutions to developmental challenges and acts as point person for all collection development information needed

• Fosters a collaborative and creative work environment by communicating regularly with direct reports about department issues or changes in priorities.

• Builds, coaches, and mentors an internal culture and team focused on elevated design, creativity, innovation, and product quality.

• Conduct annual salary and performance review for direct reports.

• Develop staffing and succession plans. Partner with HR for recruitment as needed.

• Brings innovation within technology to product development.

Knowledge/Background Requirements

• Has minimum 10 years of experience, with leadership experience.

• Proven experience in Luxury products.

• Proven experience in global industry

• Bachelor’s degree in Design Management, Product Development or other relevant degree

• Preferably to have technical design background

• Extensive knowledge of global manufacturing/agent/export communities and their operations

• Access to an extensive network of contacts and relationship

• Strong leadership, organizational and mentoring skills.

• Highly collaborative with the ability to build strong cross-functional partnerships

• Outstanding interpersonal, and communication skills

• Thrive in a high-energy and fast-paced environment, with the ability to be flexible and react to rapidly changing business needs and priorities.

• Must be adept at project management, anticipating periods of high volume, and working with your team to plan for the intense workload.

• Ability and willingness to execute tactical work as well as demonstrate the ability to think strategically.

• Decisive, self-starter, strong willed, nimble.

• Possesses skills to develop new relationships with suppliers and vendors.

• Proactive, organized and possess strong follow-through skills.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer M/D/F/V

In compliance with the New York City salary transparency requirements, the potential salary for this position is from $225,000 to $250,000, which represents a range commensurate with experience, knowledge, and skills required.