At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the product development process for luxury shoes, collaborating with design and vendors.
- Company: Join Burberry, a creative powerhouse committed to sustainable luxury and community impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a focus on collaboration and accountability.
- Why this job: Be part of a legacy brand that values creativity and innovation in fashion.
- Qualifications: Experience in product development, strong communication skills, and proficiency in Italian.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
At Burberry, we believe creativity opens spaces. Our purpose is to unlock the power of imagination to push boundaries and open new possibilities for our people, our customers and our communities. This is the core belief that has guided Burberry since it was founded in 1856 and is central to how we operate as a company today. We aim to provide an environment for creative minds from different backgrounds to thrive, bringing a wide range of skills and experiences to everything we do. As a purposeful, values-driven brand, we are committed to being a force for good in the world as well, creating the next generation of sustainable luxury for customers, driving industry change and championing our communities.
JOB PURPOSE
This position will deliver the end to end product development process in their respective category within Burberry’s Product Development function. Acting as an ambassador for Burberry, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation and collaboration and operate as true technical specialists with internal teams and vendors.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Building and maintaining a strong working partnership with the Design team. Acting as the technical counterpart by attending fittings, providing feedback on technical feasibility, and brainstorming ideas and solutions to ensure the design vision is accurately translated into the final product.
- Responsible for establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with vendors, developing a strong understanding of their capabilities and availability to meet business needs.
- Ensuring deadlines are met by proactively following up on all prototype and sample-related issues, driving them to resolution.
- Identifying and flagging any risks or challenges at every stage of the product development process, and recommending actions to mitigate them.
- Accountable for delivering prototypes and samples on time, meeting quality standards and cost targets to achieve the desired margin.
- Ensuring continuous risk assessment throughout the development process and taking proactive measures as needed.
- Collaborating closely with the Product Engineering team during collection development to support product testing to relevant standards, leveraging their technical expertise while negotiating any aesthetic changes to preserve the design intent.
- Supporting production meetings and vendor follow-ups by ensuring all technical requirements for prototypes and samples are clearly communicated and met in preparation for production.
- Coaching, supporting, and contributing to the professional growth of Product Development Assistants.
- Supporting end-of-season production handover meetings with the Sourcing team and the Digital team.
- Ensuring PLM is consistently updated with 100% accuracy and completeness.
- Preparing and supporting meetings with the CEO and CCO involving the Design, Raw Materials, and Development teams.
- Ensuring alignment with other product categories (e.g. RTW, Accessories) throughout the development of each collection.
- Supporting the Showroom and Design teams with effective sample management.
- Responsible for the accurate archiving of collections.
PERSONAL PROFILE
- Ability to work in partnership with Senior Designers, understanding and interpreting their creative aesthetic and design vision and translating this to teams and vendors.
- Technical capability and product knowledge with ability to confidently influence the Design team and provide on the spot solutions in specifics on materials and leather techniques, footwear structures and construction.
- Experience managing vendor relationships, delivering clear briefs and leveraging relationships to meet demands.
- Critical path management ensuring collections are delivered on time, identifying, calling out and making recommendations to mitigate any risks/challenges identified.
- Able to manage within a budget with commercial awareness and understanding of product cost, achieving a balance between creativity and commercial implications throughout the product development process.
- Demonstrated experience working on site with vendors and operational knowledge of factories, delivering clear briefs and leveraging relationships and availability to meet demands.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to negotiate with credibility, share information effectively, and work confidently with cross functional teams.
- In depth knowledge of fashion and products in relevant category – ‘fashion sensibility’ - knowledge of trends, the market, the luxury consumer and peer awareness.
- Proficiency in Italian required.
Burberry is an Equal Opportunities Employer and as such, treats all applications equally and recruits purely on the basis of skills and experience.
Senior Product Developer, Shoes in London employer: FashionUnited Group
Burberry is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, encouraging creativity and collaboration among its diverse team. With a strong commitment to sustainability and community engagement, employees have the opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects while enjoying professional growth through mentorship and skill development. Located in a dynamic environment, Burberry offers a unique chance to be part of a prestigious brand that champions innovation in luxury fashion.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Product Developer, Shoes in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those at Burberry. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your creativity! When you get the chance to meet with hiring managers or during interviews, bring examples of your past work. Let them see how you can translate design visions into reality.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you hear about any challenges in the product development process, don’t hesitate to suggest solutions. This shows you're not just a follower but a true collaborator who can drive innovation.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Burberry family.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Product Developer, Shoes in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Creative Side:When you're writing your application, let your creativity shine through! Burberry values imagination, so don’t be afraid to showcase your unique ideas and how they align with our vision for sustainable luxury.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in product development, especially in footwear. We want to see how your background fits with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, so be specific about your achievements!
Communicate Clearly:Strong communication skills are key for this role. In your application, demonstrate how you've effectively collaborated with teams and vendors in the past. Clear examples will help us see your potential as a technical ambassador for Burberry.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Burberry!
How to prepare for a job interview at FashionUnited Group
✨Know Your Product Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into Burberry's product lines, especially shoes. Familiarise yourself with their latest collections, materials used, and any innovative techniques they employ. This will not only show your passion for the brand but also help you discuss how your experience aligns with their creative vision.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Since the role involves working closely with designers and vendors, prepare examples of past collaborations. Highlight how you've successfully navigated challenges, communicated effectively, and fostered strong relationships. This will demonstrate your ability to thrive in a team-oriented environment.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Risk Management
Given the emphasis on identifying and mitigating risks in the job description, come prepared with specific instances where you've managed risks in product development. Discuss your thought process and the actions you took to ensure deadlines were met without compromising quality.
✨Emphasise Your Technical Expertise
As a Senior Product Developer, you'll need to influence design decisions with your technical knowledge. Brush up on footwear structures, materials, and construction techniques. Be ready to discuss how your expertise can contribute to translating design visions into successful products.
