Product Design and Development Manager – Apparel

Work with the Senior Product Design and Development Manager/Product Design and Development Director, Softlines to lead the product design and development of all products within relevant category for the UK.

Areas of Responsibility

• Develop and own the creative output from our licensees ensuring product innovation, brand consistency and compelling execution within a commercial context
• We will be identifying new product opportunities, produce first class conceptual designs and pitch to prospective/existing partners
• Establish and manage relationships with retailers, internal collaborators/partners and global and international creative teams
• Lead and develop the team, ensuring consistent and appropriate creative direction and feedback is given on all product submissions
• We will ensure all licensee product submissions are routed through Disney’s Online Product Approval system as per global product integrity guidelines
• Ensure licensees are provided appropriate creative assets for product development, developing new assets as required against the specific needs of the category and inputting into style guide needs
• Develop and maintain an experienced knowledge of Disney’s characters, films, properties, heritage and creative assets to assist in their usage on consumer products!
• Handle creative relationships with internal and external partners, providing inspiration and ensuring product is brand appropriate and adheres to Disney guidelines
• Run ideation sessions with licensees/retailers to drive product innovation and design direction
• Ensure all new and existing licensees/retailers are trained and kept up to date on the Disney brand, property portfolio, creative assets and approval systems
• Consider market product design trends, using them to drive creative strategy, identify new areas of business and establish design requirements
• As required, attend ‘inspiration’ trips to broaden understanding of the EMEA marketplace, seeking out ideas and new creative solutions to better understand the industry and drive innovation and creativity!

Training and Professional Development

• Operate as part of an effective and inclusive team by demonstrating an awareness of others; welcoming and valuing unique perspectives and ideas; offering support, sharing knowledge and best-practices to contribute to overall departmental commitments
• Take ownership of your professional development through regular career conversations with your line manager and utilising available resources such as D Learn, instructor-led courses and on the job learning
• Proactively suggest ways to improve departmental performance and processes, demonstrating technological tools where applicable
• Promote an inclusive environment, championing diversity and inclusion and make use of available resources to extend knowledge
• Contribute to maintaining and improving the standard of training and development, encouraging participation so that everyone has the tools and resources to do their role optimally and efficiently

Areas of Accountability

• Accountable to Product Design and Development Director, Softlines/Senior Product Design and Development Manager
• Accountable to Vice President, Regional Merchandising and Product Design, EMEA
• Within scope of role, responsible for the development of compelling products within relevant category across the EMEA region, ensuring timely development
• Accountable for encouraging and maintaining positive relationships and collaborating across departments internally and externally

Experience and Professional Qualifications Required

• Degree educated in related field (product design, etc.) and/or equivalent experience in lifestyle product company
• Commercial design experience related to relevant category, essential, with the ability to brief and lead external/internal designers and/or agencies
• Previous experience running and developing the performance of a product development team, essential
• Experience within a similar role within a consumer products commercialisation environment
• Shown experience of building effective relationships, leading and handling change and collaboration across departments
• Packaging experience and understanding of style guides for the Online Product Approval (OPA) system, desirable

Skills Required

• Excellent knowledge of trends within the industry of relevant category and the broader world of design with working knowledge of common manufacturing techniques and their application in production
• An ability to communicate design ideas using CAD drawing, computer techniques and/or third party design resources
• Understanding of fabric, colour and product design, demonstrable in a portfolio, with tried experience of creating prototypes or models
• Strong presentation skills with the ability to optimally present design ideas to internal/external collaborators at all levels
• Advanced knowledge of Mac OSX, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Microsoft Office
• Excellent social skills and ability to handle and build effective relationships with all internal and external partners in the business
• Exhibits ingenuity, creativity and resourcefulness, with resilience and a forward-thinking mentality in a constantly evolving landscape
• Forward thinking with the ability to take industry trends and translate them into something that drives growth for The Walt Disney Company
• Cultural sensitivity and an understanding of local markets across EMEA

Additional Information

• Flexibility for frequent UK, European or international travel
• Contribution to ad-hoc projects as the business requires
• Flexible hours may be required to meet business needs

Equal opportunity

The Walt Disney Company is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, colour, religion or belief, sex, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, disability or pregnancy or maternity. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.