Product Development Manager

Job Summary:
The Product Development Manager drives and implements trend and product development strategies for At Home stores. This position is an all-encompassing Product Development role from product strategy through execution of new product design and innovation. In the world of Product Development, this role will lean toward being more design focused. Enabling everyone to affordably make their house a home.

Key Roles & Responsibilities:

• Defines new product vision alongside Trend and Merchandising; focusing on finish, material, form, color, icon and overall design and value.
• Develops and manages product category specifications to ensure adherence to industry standards.
• Anticipates issues ahead of team members to develop contingencies to meet project timelines and minimize risks.
• Manages the necessary documents to track and ensure that development of products is timely.
• Plans, schedules and forecast milestone timelines and project deliverables.
• Develops and assesses new product innovations through competitive and industry research, analyzing data to present a value proposition.
• Designs exclusive programs and collections that are within the customer's retail and margin requirements; seeks opportunities for cost optimization for projects.
• Collaborates with cross functional teams to identify opportunities within each design style while leveraging the company's core competencies.
• Manages vignette product development process, based on company trends.
• Ensures revenue and customer satisfaction goals are met via total company sales and gross margin plan.
• Maintains a 40% product development adoption rate
• Responsible for day to day PD communications between US and Factories/Trading Partners.
• Builds and maintains a library of core materials, finishes, forms, samples and pantones, by category
• Effectively communicates relevant project information to team and senior leaders in company to keep projects moving in the right direction.
• Works with management and buying teams to ensure process is efficient.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of category performance sales, margin and sell-through
• Leading a team of Associate(s) and/or Assistant(s) may be required.

Qualifications

. BA/BS degree

. 4-6 years of Product Development and/or Product Management experience. Previous buying experience a plus.

. Proven experience with sourcing, pricing, packaging and merchandising gifts, housewares, seasonal and accessories that make a statement in the marketplace

. Design experience or educational focus a plus

. Self-motivated, adaptable and able to work in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

. Proficient in Microsoft Office.

. Proven experience developing new product concepts and building business cases for new ideas.

. Ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities and consistently meet deadlines.

. Strong decision making and problem solving skills.

. Strong project management and organizational skills required.

. Excellent teamwork skills

. Excellent written and verbal communication ability

. Ability to travel 8-12 weeks per year (both domestic and international)

. Ability to develop solutions in ambiguous situations.

. Utmost character, honesty, and transparency so as to accurately represent our brand ethos

. Supervisory experience a plus

. Ability to review financial analysis and use it in thought process