Product Development Manager Apply
THE COMPANY
Craster is a product development company. The company offers a creative platform that empowers buyers of premium Hotel, Retail and Restaurant groups to develop innovative luxury product ranges that differentiate their brands.
The company has seen strong growth through the past three years and is looking to recruit a talented Product Development Manager who will work at the heart of the company’s product development and delivery team.
THE ROLE
As part of the Craster team, you will be responsible for effective project management throughout the entire product development cycle. You will have management responsibility for new product design, development, delivery and product profitability and will be accountable for ensuring timely delivery of new proprietary and client products.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
- Clients (luxury hospitality and restaurant sector)
- In-house sales teams
- Designers
- Existing manufacturers
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Driving the development of new products - ensuring that quality controls, cost targets and deadlines are met. Use of reporting tools such as MS Project to ensure information available is correct at all times and to report on progress to key stakeholders
- Development and mapping of operational systems – particularly with a view to delivery of an efficient quality control and scheduling system.
- Tracking profitability of projects - in connection with the sales team; and routine management reporting of cost and schedule variation
- Building pricing models - ensuring that fluctuating exchange rates and shipping costs are considered
- Researching and sourcing of new manufacturing suppliers. This will involve managing the capacity and cost structure of Craster’s supplier base in line with sales forecasts
- Managing people - Strong communication skills, both internally within the small team and externally to ensure that effective relationships are developed and maintained
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
- A Product Design related degree is desirable as is PRINCE2 or an APM qualification
- Project Management experience ideally gained from manufacturing supply chain and/or product development areas
- An understanding and appreciation of product development practicalities
- Strong IT skills with advanced proficiency in MS Office and management tracking and reporting tools (MS Project)
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Influencing – demonstrates an ability to persuade and convince others to follow a course of action
- Critical Thinking – identifies, analyses and diagnosis of a situation and suggests viable and pragmatic solutions
- Communication – expresses self in clear, succinct and compelling manner in both individual and group situations
- Planning & Organising – the ability to plan, organise and execute activities using own initiative and uses resources effectively and efficiently
- Flexibility - to adapt your role to take account of the evolving and growing needs of the business
