Product Line Director

Clarks Shoes Product Line Director Needham , Massachusetts Apply Now

The Product Line Director is responsible for planning a global product strategy for Women's collection and managing the development of footwear ranges in both the US and UK that support both the brand and gender strategy to meet the needs of consumers in global markets, delivering the identified portfolio and margin targets for the collection.

All potential applicants are encouraged to scroll through and read the complete job description before applying.

What You'll Be Doing :

Plan the global product strategy for the collection.

Capture the product plans in a manner suitable for quality regional and specific market engagement.

Plan and manage the development of complex footwear line for the collection in both Street and Newton, that meet the needs of target consumers in all four regions.

Ensure that shoe lines are designed, developed and delivered to the agreed timetable, fit and quality standards, and are commercially viable for sources to develop and manufacture in order to minimise costs and lead times.

Deliver portfolio and margin targets for the category

Manage an overhead / expenses budget for the BU / Pod.

Suggested product prices for the collection.

Share best practices across the geographical product team for collection.

Maintain an in-depth understanding of the target consumers’ needs and market trends in global markets.

Deliver constant creativity in product design and inspire fresh creative focus, differentiating Clarks from competitors.

Develop the professional skills and competencies of the product team both in the UK and US.

What You'll Bring With You :

Significant experience as Range Manager / BU Director or equivalent plus additional experience in other areas of the business

Extensive knowledge of :

Footwear and shoemaking constructions, leather, other materials, cost components etc.

Effective retail marketing and selling techniques

Knowledge of Global market / consumers

Technical Skills :

Thorough knowledge of development and sourcing requirements

Expert understanding of Range Tracker / PLM

Expert understanding of product costing process

Excellent presentation skills

Successful Experience :

Reviewing and improving existing planning processes

Planning a product range with a clear structure and using meaningful criteria

Challenging and continuously seeking improvement e.g. in design, in shoe technology

Writing and communicating clear design briefs

Instinctive recognition of good and bad aesthetic appeal of a prototype shoe to its target consumer particularly last shape and material

Tenacity to make sure that new designs are 100% right

Managing a pod team without a direct reporting structure

Leading and mobilising resources from across the business to deliver objectives

Working with people from different countries (in sources or sales territories)

About Clarks

Clarks, based in Somerset, England, has been at the forefront of innovative shoemaking since its foundation in 1825, when brothers James and Cyrus Clark made a slipper from sheepskin off-cuts.

At the time it was ground-breaking : a combination of invention and craftsmanship that has remained at the heart of what the brand does now.

In the Clarks archive of more than 22,000 pairs are shoes that have sparked revolutions and defined generations. From the original Clarks Desert Boot, first designed by Nathan Clark and launched in 1950, to the iconic Wallabee, each design has an instantly recognizable signature that makes it unmistakably Clarks.

This season, we’re proud to introduce the Clarks Collective : five incredible activists championing authentic social change.

From mental health awareness and LGBTQ+ rights to greater racial equality, these trailblazers are committed to creating a brighter future for us all bringing to life Clarks’ new global campaign, For the World Ahead.

Through spotlighting their stories and supporting their chosen charities and initiatives, we’re ready to lead the way. After all, we’re originators, not imitators.

It’s who we are, who we’ve always been. And to change the world of tomorrow, we’re doing things differently today.

As a global employer, Clarks is committed to embracing diversity throughout our workforce by creating an inclusive environment that reflects the many cultures and locations where we work.

We strive to create a productive environment which everyone has an equal chance to succeed at all levels through the organization.

We will not discriminate on the basis of sex, age ,disability, marital status, color, race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation or gender re-assignment’, complying with local legislative requirements.

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