Director, Product Development – Private Brand
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Job Location:
Seattle, OR - USA
Monthly Salary:
Not Disclosed
Posted on:
Yesterday
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
With over 59 stores and the largest avocational cooking program in the US Sur La Table offers an unsurpassed selection of exclusive and premium-quality goods for the kitchen and table and the culinary expertise and inspiration to go along with it. Whether the job entails interacting with our customers driving digital growth or providing vital behind-the-scenes support were all here for the same reason to roll up our sleeves and create happiness through cooking and sharing good food.
TheDirector Product Development Private Brandis a key leader responsible for elevating growingand expanding Sur La TablesPrivate leader willoperateas SLTs PrivateLabelBrand Managerto ensure SLTs owned brand becomes the preferred brand of chefs across the country throughauniqueand ownableproduct designinnovative product features/technology and consistent delivery of a premium value role leadsend-to-end product creation for privatebrandacross categoriesfrom concept and design direction through sourcing costing and commercializationwhile strengthening processes tools and ways of working across the organization.
This leader brings together strong taste and creative vision with operational discipline sourcing experience and change management to build a modern customer-obsessedprivate brandengine for Sur La Table.
This position will reportintotheSVP Merchandising.
What you get to do - Leadership Strategy & Transformation:
- Define and drive the product development vision strategy and operating model for privatebrand including clear roles processes and tools from merchant brief through product launch.
- Partner with Merchandising Planning and other functional teams to build seasonal and long-range line plans that balance innovation differentiation and profitability.
- Continuously evaluate and improve product development workflows calendars and tools to increase speed reliability and cross-functional alignment.
- Champion the smart use of AI automation and digital tools to accelerate trend discovery concepting analysis and development workflowsand to free the team up to focus on higher-value creative and strategic work.
- Apply strong change-management skills to introduce new processes and ways of working build cross-functional buy-in and ensure durable adoption.
- Provide clear goals coaching and feedback to the Product Development team; build capabilities and bench strength that support future growth.
What you get to do - Product Creation & Brand Design Direction:
- Own the creative direction for Sur La Table private brand product across categories in partnership with Merchandising Creativeand BrandMarketing:1) Defineconsistentdesign languagenaming conventions packaging approachesmaterials color stories finishes and details that express the Sur La Table brand; 2) Lead seasonal concepting and big idea development grounded in customer insight trend and competitive analysis.
- Translate merchant briefs (product needs target retails margin goals MOQs channel strategy) into clear product development roadmaps.
- Oversee artwork and pattern development with design partners and creative resources; ensure all work is cohesive on-brand and ownable.
- Guidehow artwork color and design stories are applied across collections and categories to create impactful cohesive assortments.
- Partner with Merchandisingon linearchitecture SKU productivity and lifecycle management to ensure the right balance of hero items supporting items and newness.
What you get to do - Sourcing Vendor Management & Costing:
- Build and manage a robust network of manufacturing and sourcing partners across categories and regions.
- Lead vendor selection and negotiation for new and existing products including costing MOQs payment terms and development fees.
- Work closely with partners and factories frominitialbrief through sampling revisions and final approvals ensuring quality cost and timelines are met.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external experts on lead times capacity planning and risk mitigation.
- Ensure all private brand products meet Sur La Tables expectations for quality safety and regulatory compliance in partnership withappropriate internaland external resources.
What you get to do - Team Leadership & Organizational Build:
- Lead mentor and develop the Product Development team; set clear expectations and development plans that build both creative and operational capability.
- Balance strategic leadership with a willingness to be hands-onespecially as processes tools and structures continue to evolve.
- Help shape the future-state Product Development organization (e.g. divisional product development leaders designers coordinators) and contribute to a phased hiring and capability plan as the business grows.
- Foster a culture that balances creativity with accountabilitywhere ideas are ambitious and execution is disciplined.
What you get to do - Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Partner closely with:
- Merchandisingto align briefs assortment strategies and product positioning.
- CreativeandMarketingto influenceproduct name onproduct brandingpackagingphotography copyand storytelling for private brand launches.
- Planning & Financeto ensure development supports financial goals margin targets and inventory strategies.
- StoresCulinary and E-commerceto gather feedback from customers and store teams and use that insight to inform future development.
- Represent Product Development in cross-functional projects related to private brand growth omni-channel strategy and brand building.
What you bring:
- 10 years of product development experience in consumer hard goods (home kitchen tabletop small electrics or similar) including at least 5 years leading product development teams and processes.
- Deep experience in private brand / own-brand development for a multi-category multi-channel retailer or consumer brand.
- Proven success building and/or improving a Product Development function (process design tools organizational structures or operating models).
- Strong taste level and design sensibility; able to quickly assess whether a product is on-brand commercially right and differentiated. A portfolio or work samples will be requested.
- End-to-end product creation expertise including:
- Trend research and concept development
- Line planning and product road mapping
- Sourcing and factory/partner management
- Cost engineering and negotiation
- Sampling testing and quality
- Timeline and calendar management
- Strong analytical and financial acumen; comfortable working with cost models margins and business cases to support decisions.
- Demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate with cross-functional partners at all levels including senior leadership.
- Curiosity and hands-on experience using modern AI tools to accelerate research streamline workflows (e.g. communication documentation and tracking) and reimagine how product development work gets donewithout needing to be a technologist.
- High comfort level working with partners and vendors across time zones and cultures; ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced evolving environment with ambiguity and phased change.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
Whats in it for you Joining CSC Generation isnt just about having a seat at the tableits about helping redesign the table entirely. Youll be challenged stretched and supported as you grow faster than you thought addition to competitive compensation we offer:
- Executive Access:Work directly with brand CEOs and senior leadership solvingreal businessproblems and earning mentorship from top operators.
- AI-First Skill Building:Get hands-on with the most advanced AI tools in the market. From automation to prompt engineeringyoullbuild a modern tech stack that sets you apart in any industry.
- Accelerated Career Path:High performers are quickly entrusted with greater responsibility new challenges and leadership opportunities across our portfolio of brands.
- Competitive benefits:Paid time off policies 401(k)/RRSP match medical/dental/vision and a variety of supplemental policies and employee discounts at our portfolio companies.
Our interview process:
- Step 1: If you align with our vision and meet the qualifications well reach out to schedule a conversation and introduce CSC.
- Step 2: Youll complete a short AI or product-building challenge so we can understand how you approach problems and execution.
- Step 3: Participate in deep-dive interviews with CSC leadership focused on your experience product mindset and operational thinking.
- Step 4: Offer. Well move fast for the right candidate.
$140000 - $165000 a year
TheCSCfamily of brandsprovides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal provincial state or local laws.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process such as reviewing applications analyzing resumes or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed please contact us.
Washington state applicants only: If you believe that this job posting does notcomply withapplicable Washington state law pleasenotify usby sending an email toemailprotected.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie-detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
TheCSC family of brands is committed to providing reasonableaccommodationsfor qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance oran accommodationdue to a disability please contactemailprotected.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process such as reviewing applications analyzing resumes or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed please contact us.
Required Experience:
Director
Key Skills
- Installation Maintenance Repair
- Intellectual Property Attorney
- Customer Service
- Cost Estimation
- ABB
- Audio Visual
About Company
CSC Generation acquires and transforms businesses to drive growth. Discover how our expertise can help take your business to the next level.
