Senior Director, Product Development

We are UMG, the Universal Music Group. We are the world’s leading music company. In 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.

How we LEAD:

The Sr. 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 Sr. 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 you'll 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 product opportunities. Identify new factories or expand facilities of existing factory base in the growing 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 supplier’s 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 (men’s, juniors, and children's 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
• Bachelor’s 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:

• Be part of an entrepreneurial, global organization that values authenticity, drive, creativity, relationships, and a competitive spirit
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and FSA options, as well as:
• 100% coverage for out-patient mental health services
• Wellbeing reimbursements for fitness classes, spa treatments, meal services, travel, and so much more (up to $720/year)
• A lifetime fertility support allowance of $30,000 to plan participants
• Student Loan Repayment Assistance and Tuition Reimbursement
• 100% immediately vested 401(k) match on the first 5% of your contribution on eligible compensation
• 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

We are an E-Verify employer in Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah.

For more information, please click on the following links.

E-Verify Participation Poster: English / Spanish

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Job Category:

Merchandising

Salary Range:

$107,130-$238,150

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.

About Us

We are Universal Music Group, the world’s leading music company. We are the home for music’s greatest artists, innovators and entrepreneurs.