Overview
The Product Development Director is responsible for managing Private Label product development and sourcing. They partner with Buyers to execute assortment strategies, drive innovation, trend direction, and margin for the organization. Product Development managers are responsible for maintaining strong vendor relationships and negotiating costs and other related vendor support to drive the business.
What We Stand For
Established in 1978, The Container Store has grown to be the leading specialty retailer of storage and organization products in the United States and the only national retailer solely devoted to the category. We provide creative, multifunctional, customizable storage and organization solutions that help our customers save time, save space, and improve the quality of their lives. We foster a culture built around our Foundation Principles, which define how we approach our relationships with our employees, vendors, customers, and communities and influence every aspect of our business.
Responsibilities
- Leads and guides Product Direction inclusive of assortment architecture; quality standards; good, better, best balance; country of origin and vendor matrix.
- Creates and articulates product direction; design specifications, materials, quality, and color.
- Researches industry trends and engages with the vendor community to stay current on trends.
- Develops product strategies to drive product innovation and maintain a competitive edge in the marketplace.
- Responsible for identifying vendors and establishing mutually beneficial vendor relationships.
- Manages vendor negotiations and obtains the best pricing and terms possible as well as product differentiation.
- Leads and directs vendor meetings, communicating the processes, product direction, principles, and values of The Container Store.
- Understands our vendor compliance policies and practices and communicates these clearly to existing and future vendors.
Qualifications
- College degree required.
- 8+ years’ experience in retail buying, product development, and/or sourcing.
- Passion for consumer products and home décor with a high taste level and strong point of view in design and ability to articulate The Container Store brand.
- Based in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area with the ability to work in-office 3 days a week.
- Team-oriented with a positive attitude that exemplifies our guiding principles.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in a professional manner, both orally and in writing, at all levels within and outside the organization.
- Strong time management and organizational skills with the ability to successfully manage multiple projects at once.
- Possesses focused attention to detail.
- Makes strategic and effective decisions in the best interest of our customers and our company, taking care to objectively process information.
- Ability to travel 15% a year, based on the business International and domestic.
- Strong computer skills: proficiency in Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Adobe (preferred).
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
Company will not pay costs associated with immigration sponsorship.
The Container Store promotes a smoke-free, drug-free environment.
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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