Product Development Lead
KREWE
- China
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Manage and execute against fully comprehensive Product Development milestones, in concert with factories to deliver against all project milestones on time, in full
- Review, highlight and report on weekly Development WIPs; validate current timelines and identify areas for improvement directly working with factories to remain/get back on track.
- Deliver weekly frame development status reports to Design Studio Manager to manage/inform agenda for weekly Design Studio session deliverables.
- Visit and lead weekly meetings with factories in person to conduct reviews of development on the line, identify issues and solve with factory team in person
- Attend twice daily meetings with US Team to ensure product priorities are identified, clearly communicated and actioned against T&A
- Drive milestone deliveries proactively by escalating at-risk deliverables with key stakeholders
- Assess missed milestones for critical path impact and escalate as necessary to ensure overall projects remain on track
- Coordinate and track product sample orders using project management tools to inform, advise and deliver solutions alongside dept and business impact on any delays
- Report on weekly/monthly/annual KPI performance and scorecarding for leadership. Deliver commentary and insights to VP and Product Team with recommended optimizations to yield speed, efficiency and reliability at factory/supplier level.
- Handle special requests related to Product Design and Development as requested by the Creative Director or VP of Product.
- Lead in region sourcing efforts for both new eyewear vendors and material suppliers, vetting against established scorecard to ensure fit is met
- Spearhead outreach for in region vendors/suppliers in categories outside eyewear to meet brand deliverables; vet and deliver recommendations to VP and team for further discovery and partnership
- Experience managing frame development and production in China; expertise in frame development and production processes, materials - concept to finished good.
- Minimum of 8+ years in eyewear industry - client side or factory lead for premium quality brands; client side a must
- Ability to interface with a wide range of functional areas including Design, Development, Project Management, and familiarity with manufacturing and production concepts
- Based in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
- Monday-Saturday work week; hours to coordinate with daily US team communication
- Full commitment to overseeing/managing KREWE brand in region
- High proficiency in excel, project management tools
- Highly analytical and creative thinking, ability to understand and solve complex concepts (against stringent timelines and within brand parameters)
- Ability to travel to US one time per year
- Competitive wage
- Annual bonus eligibility
- Monthly travel stipend for factory/supplier visits
- 10 paid holidays & Paid Time Off accrual
- KREWE employee frame discount (of course!)