Manager, Product Development

SUMMARY

The Manager of Product Development will drive the profitable growth of JOANN's private brand business (Sewing, Seasonal, Craft) through innovative, trend correct and competitively differentiated products exceeding our customer's expectations for value and style. The Manager of Product Development will direct a team of Designers and/or Associate Product Managers in the development of exclusive highly curated products for JOANN. This position will work with merchants to develop the strategic direction and lifestyle-appropriate assortments through multiple cross-functional teams. The Manager of Product Development will ensure that the communication between all cross functional participants is open, efficient, timely and accurate.

The Manager of Product Development is responsible for all aspects related to product assortments, evaluating artwork assets and managing design studios. This position has responsibility of the product development functions for their entire area of responsibility. The Manager will lead the team in executing the product assortments - from the ideation/strategy phase to the final completion of the assortments.

JOB DUTIES

• Strategize and develop assortments and key items in accordance with the JOANN Merchandising Strategy in collaboration with vendors. Articulates vision and drives innovative, trend relevant, and competitively differentiated private brand product assortments.

• Works directly with vendors, factories and design studios to evaluate product ideas and decides which products and ideas are worth pursuing. This involves ensuring strategy, pricing and quality objectives are being exceeded.

• Develop the product team on both written and verbal communication skills. Oversee their day-to-day responsibilities and continue their development and understanding of trend, product development, and all financial aspects of the business.

• Manage the product development timelines to ensure all key milestone dates are achieved.

• Evaluate market trends to seek out future opportunities, determine price/value comparisons, and make recommendations to the buying teams based upon findings.

• Analyze product performance metrics and apply results accordingly to future decision making and assortment strategies.

• Lead cross-functional development meetings throughout the product development cycle.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Full management responsibilities of a Product Development team consisting of 3-5 team members.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Education Minimum: Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Business Management, or Fashion Merchandising

Experience Minimum: 5+ years' experience in a product development role and managing a team of direct reports.

Experience Preferred: International travel experience preferable.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Domestic and International travel required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional team members.

• Ability to manage a team to meet business requirements and deadlines.

• Strong sense of urgency

• Strategic thinking

• Strong organization and analytical skills

• Ability to manage competing priorities.

• Ability to build internal and external partnerships.

• Strong project management skills

• Strong understanding of design application to product

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite programs (Word, Excel, etc.)

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This position will be located at:

5555 Darrow Road Hudson, OH 44236

Eligibility for benefits and incentives is dependent upon employment status. JOANN offers the following benefits and incentives to eligible Team Members:

• Medical, Dental and Vision benefit plans

• Company-paid basic, Optional, and Dependent life insurance

• Long-term disability and Company-paid Short-term disability

• Paid Time Off and Sick Time

• 401(k) Retirement Plan with an employer % match and Employee Stock Purchase Plan

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Team Member Discount

For more details on benefits and eligibility requirements, Click Here or visit https://joann.myben.site/

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JOANN is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. This job summary is intended to be brief and does not list all duties for this position. Nothing in this job description should be construed as an express or implied contract of employment. JOANN is an at-will employer, which means that your employment may be terminated by JOANN or yourself with or without notice or cause unless the at-will arrangement is modified by a written agreement signed by both you and and authorized representative of JOANN.