Product Development Manager, Apparel And EQ

About Company

Jack Wolfskin is a prominent German company specializing in outdoor clothing, footwear, and equipment. The company develops functional outdoor products such as mountain and leisure clothing, sports equipment, rucksacks, sleeping bags, and tents. Jack Wolfskin operates a vast retail network with around 450 stores worldwide and over 4,000 retail outlets across Europe and Asia. The company is known for its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and corporate social responsibility, including initiatives to eliminate harmful chemicals in production processes and improve workplace conditions within its supply chain. Jack Wolfskin’s culture is built around the outdoors, authenticity, community, responsibility and innovation. It’s a brand-driven work culture that encourages employees to share the passion for discovery, nature, quality and sustainability. Joining Jack Wolfskin, you’ll likely find a environment that encourages outdoor lifestyle, collaborative team work, flat hierarchy, and meaningful commitments to ethical and environmental standards.

Role Overview

Lead the Apparel and EQ product Development Team and manage the end-to-end product development process for Global orders, leveraging knowledge of the China market. Partner closely with Product Development Teams in JW Head Quarter and the Group level to optimize the development results and execution efficiency. Proactively monitor development calendars to ensure deadlines, costing KPIs, fit, and quality standards are achieved. Collaborate with cross-functional teams as well as related support services to ensure a smooth and efficient and high-quality Apparel and EQ product development process.

Key Responsibilities

1. Product Development

• Collaborate closely with Head Office and Group-wide product development teams quarterly and across all markets, including:

o Product development timeline

o Costing

o Style T & A Calendar

o SMU

o Risk assessment

o Reporting

o Coaching

• Manage supplier partnership, ensuring performance that supports the production development processes.

• Effectively breaks down functional work plan into detailed work activities, ensure the team is fully aware of their respective roles & responsibilities.

• Enhancing & advocating for supplier’s capabilities and use of new technologies, to drive innovation of product & process.

• Communicating proactively with HQ stakeholders, product development & design team to build and adhere to a product development calendar the enables best in class on time samples, execution & delivery.

• Communicating proactively with valued suppliers where there are development concerns raised, and provide solutions where possible, to rectify, whist maintaining set calendar dates.

• Collaboration with all China & internal stakeholders across Production/ Material, Compliance, Quality & Logistic team to ensure the delivery of all set KPIs.

2. Team Management

• Provide mentorship, coaching, and ongoing development support to all direct reports to build a high-performing and capable team.

• Lead and manage the Apparel & EQ Product Development team, driving the delivery of innovative, customer-centric solutions aligned with business strategies.

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the Apparel & EQ Product Development function, ensuring efficient workflows, effective collaboration, and timely execution of deliverables.

• Foster a positive, high-performance team culture through clear objective setting, regular performance assessments, motivation, and targeted training and development initiatives.

• Support all team members in building and owning their individual development plans, establishing a consistent rhythm for progress reviews and growth conversations.

3. Leadership and Collaboration

• Cultivate relationships with local teams, global teams, and vendors to foster a collaborative and positive work atmosphere.

• Drive proactive communications with cross functional teams and global PD

• Support Superiors for relevant task and project, and any task direct from management.

• Contribute to cross-functional, company-wide initiatives that support business activation and drive continuous improvement of systems and processes.

• Bachelor’s degree in Textile and clothing, clothing technology or similar

• Minimum of 7 years of professional work experience in the garment/textile industry including at least 2 years in a supervisory or managerial role.

• Experience in working with Centric PLM or product management tool

• Proficiency with MS Office Programs, Good excel and PowerPoint skills

Skills & Expertise:

• Ability to influence others with a positive attitude

• Develop collaborative working relationships

• Excellent ability to anticipate problems and develop solutions

• Frequent traveller, ability to work efficiently in manufacturing site in different countries.

• Fluent in English (written and spoken)

Competencies:

• Strong management, communication and facilitation skills.

• Excellent ability to anticipate problems and develop solutions through to resolution.

• Ability to work in international environment and structure.

• Adaptable to a dynamic environment.

• Have a sustainable mindset and positive attitude.

• Strong Knowledge of paper pattern, garment construction and manufacturing.

• Excellent knowledge of apparel and EQ product development.

• Travel, domestic and international as required by business needs.