Director, Product Development

We are UMG the Universal Music Group. We are the worlds leading music everything we do we are committed to artistry innovation and entrepreneurship. We own and operate a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music music publishing merchandising and audiovisual content in more than 60 countries. We identify and develop recording artists and songwriters and we produce distribute and promote the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music to delight and entertain fans around the world.

Famehouse a division of UMG is the preeminent leader in D2C solutions in music defining & delivering the industrys best-in-class service to connect artists with their fans. Established & headquartered in Philly Famehouse powers D2C for UMGs labels artists and Bravado along with a select roster of 3rd party clients. Our success & culture is fueled by collaborationboth within FH and with our partners. We are passionate about the impact of D2C & merchandise for artists providing a full-service solution to grow an artists owned business including strategy creative storefront merchandising fulfillment customer service technology and more.

How we LEAD:

The Director Product Development & Sourcing will be an essential part of the UMG team helping to drive execution of merchandise needs for Artist specific E-commerce Campaigns. This position will report directly to the VP of Product Development

This is a fast paced high-volume position that requires tenured PD & sourcing experience for many different product categories including Apparel Hardline and Softline Accessories.

The ability to establish partner relationships with the current vendor base and to source new suppliers is critical for the role. Focusing on competitive pricing new ideation quick turn times quality control and on time deliveries is key.

The Director Product Development & Sourcing is responsible for establishing developing and directing the PD strategy for merchandise and accessories and effectively directing the business relationships with finished product suppliers

How youll CREATE:

• Front Facing Position working closely with Artist Management Team and External Partners
• Develop/source new and existing fabric trims washes/dyes vendors for all upcoming development
• Develop and maintain libraries for Fabric and Wash developments
• Leverage trade tools to stay updated with trends. Foresee new productopportunities. Identify new factories or expand facilities of existing factory base in thegrowing countries.
• Direct the Technical Design Team and Creative Team to ensure complete technical package is done to initiate development
• Initiate time and action calendars. Drive activity alongside cross-functional teams as well as Artist Management to remain on schedule.
• Ensure adherence to schedules via time and action management close monitoring of key milestone dates.
• Management of pre-production/development timelines reviewing reports and recommending solutions to exceptions
• Manage all details in regard to the development process managing the Sampling submits and responsible to effectively communicated all Design comments to vendors to ensure product meets expectation. Also work alongside the technical design to ensure proper FIT comments are sent
• Work collaboratively with the Brand Management and Creative teams to develop a final assortment that is executable in production

• Negotiate and Cost engineer products with vendors across multiple programs and communicate needs to the design team to ensure product is being built around Retail price point targets and margin requirements.
• Manage overall pricing and P&L analysis along with finance to ensure margin targets are met for new products and category introductions.
• Initiate weekly development touch bases w/ cross-functional meetings for potential order issues as appropriate
• Develop and manage process workflow improvements
• Work alongside Production counterparts to ensure products being developed align with deadlines in mind to ensure seamless transition of Production scheduling and output
• Manage suppliers product integrity and order specification compliance details including dye lots wash effect hand feel and shade bands. Provide risk assessment analysis based on complexity of design.
• Work alongside Compliance team to ensure new products developed meets Global requirements
• Handle all ecommerce product set up details and work with the Store Management team for Product details inclusive of Fabrication SKUs and overall design details that are necessary for marketing and product descriptions
• Liaise with suppliers to provide technical advice and give direction for problem solving. Manage fabric or blank selection process confirm fabric and trim materials are available for prototype development via direct communications with suppliers.
• Manage liability of raw material supplies to ensure it can be utilized in product that can be sold and minimize financial exposure. Work with design team to create future designs to utilize the excess raw materials.
• Attend Concept Design Review and Selection meetings to understand upcoming styles to work with the appropriate vendors to create the product.
• Promote collaboration communication and teamwork within the brand between Merchandising Product Development Production Creative and Tour Merchandising.
• Lead and Manage a PD team for the Artist specific campaigns
• Ability to travel

Bring your VIBE:

• 7 years of experience in apparel and accessories production and/or product development Production/Buying/Sourcing experience
• Diverse market segment background (mens juniors and childrens wear accessories)
• Strong costing and product engineering skills
• Established vendor base & relationships for apparel (cut and sew knits sleepwear and loungewear) and accessories
• Detail oriented with strong follow through skills
• Extensive technical knowledge of raw materials garment constructions wash and print processes
• Microsoft Suite and Adobe proficiencies (Word Excel PowerPoint Illustrator).
• Ability to work in a demanding fast-paced environment
• Strong Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving skills
• Excellent communicator with the ability to build and maintain relationships
• Flexible and adaptable; priorities change frequently based on business demands the ability to change direction quickly is critical
• Strong long-term strategic planning capability
• Experience ingesting requirements and adapting workflows to accommodate those requirements.
• Music Merch Production experience a plus
• Bachelors degree (US or foreign equivalent) in Product Development Textile Science Fashion Design or sourcing
• Extensive factory manufacturing process experience including production timeline management fact-based costing and pricing.
• Excellent written verbal communication and presentation skills
• Detail oriented but capable of developing and executing strategies as well
• Strong negotiation skills
• Proven ability to manage and develop teams
• Works well under pressure.

Perks Playlist:

Join an entrepreneurial global organization where authenticity boldness creativity connection drive and insight arent just valuestheyre how we work every day. Here are some of the ways we support you along the way (and just a few of the benefits we offer):

• Comprehensive medical dental and vision coverage

• Including 100% coverage for out-patient in-network mental health services

• Fertility coverage for eligible medical plan participants

• Wellbeing reimbursements for fitness classes spa treatments meal services travel and so much more (up to $720/year)

• Student Loan Repayment Assistance and Tuition Reimbursement

• 401(k) with 100% immediate vesting on the first 5% of your contributions plus an additional UMG contribution

A variety of ways to prioritize much-needed time away from work including:

• Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) for exempt employees

• 3-weeks PTO for non-exempt employees

• 2-weeks paid Winter Break

• 10 Company Holidays (including Juneteenth and Wellbeing Day)

• Summer Fridays (between Memorial Day and Labor Day)

• Generous paid parental leave for every type of parent

Check out our full overview of benefits on the Perks Playlist page of the career site.

Disclaimer: This job description only provides an overview of job responsibilities that are subject to change.

Universal Music Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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Job Category:

Salary Range:

The actual base salary offered depends on a variety of factors which may include as applicable the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position years of relevant experience specific and unique skills level of education attained certifications or other professional licenses held and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job. All candidates are encouraged to apply.