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Head of Product Development
Head of Product Development
Location: London Reports to: Production and Product Development Director
About DeMellier
DeMellier is a London-based brand founded with the vision of doing things differently: to design handbags that empower women, while prioritising ethical and sustainable production, and giving back to those in need. These principles drive everything they do. All pieces are crafted ethically in Europe using the finest sustainably sourced materials. The brand champions equality, with their mission "A Bag, A Life" partnering with SOS Children’s Villages to fund over 2.5 million vaccines through vaccine and medical treatments for children.
Join a purpose-driven, award-winning luxury industry brand fostering creativity, collaboration, and meaningful impact.
The Role
The Head of Product Development is responsible for the entire end-to-end product development lifecycle, ensuring designs align with aesthetic integrity and luxury quality standards. You will lead both Finished Goods and Raw Materials development, collaborating closely with the Design Director and Merchandising teams.
The transition from sketch to final product must seamlessly flow through industrialisation, with precision engineering at every stage.
Main Responsibilities
- Product Development Strategy
- Partner with the Design Director to safeguard the design DNA from early concept to final execution.
- Drive technical feasibility, commercial viability, and scalability assessments.
- Collaborate with Merchandising & Product Director to strategically align collections with market trends, organisational deadlines, and sustain global distribution.
- Establish target costing/prototyping budgets and define vendor distribution strategies to optimise gross margins.
- Implement a stage-gate process, setting firm deadlines and escalation paths to ensure timely launches.
- Preserve data integrity across Bills of Materials (BOMs), hardware specifications, and finished goods documentation.
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Industrialisation Handover
- Oversee seamless transition of products from development team to Industrialisation department.
- Introduce risk-assessment protocols to resolve technical or logistical challenges pre-manufacturing.
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Sourcing Architecture & Innovation
- Develop and expand relationships with European suppliers, leather tanneries, and hardware specialists.
- Direct procurement for premium leathers, sustainable textiles, and bespoke hardware while maintaining supply chain reliability.
- Enforce ethical sourcing lifecycles consistent with brand principles.
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Visionary Leadership
- Build and motivate a high-performing Product Development team.
- Partner with the Product Director to steer long-term organisational growth, scaling technical expertise and internal resources aligned with the brand’s trajectory.
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Requirements
- A proven leadership record in premium handbag accessory or luxury leather goods product development.
- Expertise in luxury handbag engineering, including:
- Leather splitting, skiving, pattern architecture, jewelry-grade hardware mould development.
- A business-oriented analytical mindset, appraising financial models, pricing, target margins, and profitability in fashion.
- An industry-leading network of elite European tanneries, supplier partners, and manufacturers.
- Fluency in Italian or Spanish is advantageous but must include professional English.
- 10+ years of experience in a comparable role.
- Ability to work in the UK holds no restrictions.
Office Presence & Travel
- Requires frequent international travel (multiple trips monthly) to oversee manufacturing standards and supplier partnerships in Europe.
- When travelling, a hybrid schedule is enforced:
- 3 days/week at the central London creative studio.
- 2 days/week from home.
Benefits
- Hybrid-working policy – 3 days in office
- Progressive annual leave
- Enhanced maternity package
- Employee discounts:
- 50% off Stock
- up to 90% off Seasonal Sample Sales
- Seasonal bag allowance
- Free DeMellier gift handbag upon successful probation
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