Barbour
Product Development & Technical Manager - Accessories
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Company Description
The Barbour story began in 1894 in South Shields in the North East of England. Founder John Barbour began supplying oilskins and other garments to protect the growing community of sailors, fishermen and dockers. Still family owned and now fifth generation, Barbour HQ remains in South Shields. Under the leadership of Chairman Dame Margaret Barbour, Barbour has grown into a lifestyle brand sold in over 55 countries worldwide including Europe, the US and Asia offering a wardrobe of stylish functional clothing, footwear and accessories inspired by the unique values of the British countryside. The iconic Barbour Bedale and Barbour Beaufort wax jackets continue to be made by hand in the factory in South Shields. In 2020, Barbour launched Wax for Life, an overarching name for all of Barbour’s wax services designed to encourage customers to extend the life of their wax garments. Wax for Life includes re-waxing and repairs (first introduced in 1921) and Barbour Re-Loved an upcycling circularity initiative. Each year over 70,000 wax garments are sent back to Barbour globally to be repaired, rewaxed or altered.
Position Overview
We currently have an opportunity for a Product Development & Technical Manager to join our Accessories team here at our Head Office in South Shields. You will be responsible for driving technical development across our non-apparel categories, from concept to production, ensuring the successful delivery of seasonal collections in line with business deadlines – developing fit for purpose, production viable, price appropriate, premium quality products.
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This role is based in our Head Office in South Shields and the expectation is 4 days onsite and 1 day of home working
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Support the Head of Accessories to develop and maintain an effective, motivated and appropriately skilled team.
- Oversee the day-to-day activities of Product Technicians, Assistants and interns, ensuring the team’s workload is correctly prioritised and that critical path deadlines are met.
- Work closely with the Design team and manufacturing base to ensure the on-time development and delivery of collections; offer technical guidance, lead sample review sessions, evaluate fit, quality and workmanship, and provide clear sample comments, ensuring the most appropriate construction methods are used according to the products’ intended end use.
- Review and develop new specifications, blocks and size charts.
- Manage consistency across products and fits, and continuously monitor and elevate quality (including overseeing wearer trials where necessary).
- Create and maintain seasonal trackers, BOMs and PLM system.
- Own the risk assessment process and documentation and ensure compliance with product safety regulations and legislation by requesting, reviewing and approving relevant testing and certification.
- Creation and management of product standards and manuals.
- Identify and help solve potential development and / or production problems.
- Support QA / QC – help identify / solve issues as and when needed.
- Support with answering customer service queries as and when needed.
- Learn and understand suppliers’ capabilities and help direct development / production where needed.
- Supplier visits as and when needed.
- General admin – liaise with other departments, sales, suppliers, factories, helping to answer queries and resolve any issues raised.
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Skills and Experience
- Relevant degree level qualification.
- Proven and demonstrable experience in senior level role, specific to accessories.
- Strong technical expertise in accessories development.
- Industry stakeholders’ awareness e.g. test houses, industry federations etc.
- Previous use of PLM systems, or similar.
- Extensive experience working closely with a diverse global factory base.
- Effective problem solving and decision-making skills.
- Proactive, assertive, organised, capable of prioritising workload and able to deliver to given timelines.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Computer literate with good Microsoft Office skills.
- Some experience of people management is desirable.
Benefits
- Discretionary Company bonus scheme
- Staff discount
- Staff shop
- 25 days holiday as standard increasing with length of service plus bank holidays (pro rata)
- Free onsite parking
- Subsidised canteen
- Healthcare Cash Plan
- Access to training and development activities to support your career development
- Operate hybrid & flexible working
- 4pm finish on a Friday
- Wellbeing support
- Reward & Recognition program
- Length of service rewards
Note: In the event that a sufficient volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.
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