The Opportunity: Director – Product Development & Sourcing
Location: Toronto, Dufferin/Lawrence
Salary: 180K plus
Benefits: Competitive Package
Tony Curtis & Associates Inc. is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Director of Product Development and Sourcing to drive product innovation and sourcing strategies, and build out product development and supply chain capacities. Reporting directly to the President & Chief Executive Officer, this newly created Director role will be pivotal in evaluating and enhancing full-cycle product development, sourcing and quality assurance capabilities. This role requires a strategic thinker and hands-on leader who can both integrate and manage day-to-day global business operations while planning for long-term sustainable growth aligned with fashion market trends, Corporate account needs and Company goals.
Reporting to the Director Product Development and Sourcing are the in-house Product Development team of 7, a Quality Assurance Manager and an offshore Sourcing team. This role will work closely with cross-functional leads in Finance, Sales, Marketing and Operations, and will serve on the Senior Leadership Team.
Our client values innovation, professionalism, and the ability to work collaboratively toward achieving organizational goals. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead and contribute as part of the senior leadership team, to travel internationally and grow professionally in a supportive, dynamic environment.
Our client offers competitive base and variable compensation, health care spending account, product sale discounts, and free parking with accessibility to offices by the 401 and the TTC.
Tony Curtis & Associates Inc. thanks all applicants, however, only those legally authorized to wok in Canada can be considered.
Our Client:
For decades our client has been a leading fashion accessories provider for major retailers across North America, building exceptional retail expertise in grocery, drug store and mass retail by understanding the evolving fashion and beauty consumer landscape.
Our client has offices in New York, London, Hong Kong, and Toronto, along with three full-service distribution centres across North America. With expertise in product design, manufacturing and merchandising, our client offers a diverse range of over 5,000 SKUs, spanning categories such as fashion jewelry, watches, hair accessories, soft accessories, cosmetic accessories, as well as seasonal and general merchandise.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership and Strategy-20%
Collaborate closely with the President & CEO and senior leadership to develop and execute short and long-term product and sourcing strategies and related departmental goals aligned with company mission and objectives.
Provide operational leadership to Product Development, Sourcing and Quality Assurance teams, and assess and develop related organizational structures, systems, workflows, standard operating procedures, tools and processes consistent with Corporate budgets, regulatory requirements, industry best practices and customer needs to manage risk and maximize productivity, efficiency and profitability.
Mentor and develop team members in assigned areas of responsibility, fostering employee engagement and a culture of performance results, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Manage, measure and report on category metrics, profitability and financial outcomes, including cost of goods sold, supplier performance, product quality and project budget adherence based on business plan needs and evolving market conditions.
Product Development Lifecycle Management-60%
Lead and oversee the entire product lifecycle from concept to market, ensuring alignment with brand and customer criteria, business objectives and customer needs and price points.
Supervise and collaborate with in-house product development, creative and cross-functional teams to support design and development of innovative fashion accessories and packaging to meet customer price point and assortment requirements.
Conduct market research to identify trends, customer preferences, competitor activity and new market and line extension opportunities, assess strategic impact and implement action plans to optimize business results.
Manage overall project planning, resource allocation and execution by assessing project requirements, developing timelines and optimizing resources within the corporate budget. Ensure efficient coordination across teams to drive timely product development, enhance customer service and maximize profitability.
Contribute to and conduct final review of customer account presentations to identify gaps and opportunities to enhance offerings, market positioning and margins.
Monitor and analyze product performance, sales, and customer feedback to drive continuous improvement in product design, raw material sourcing, manufacturing, quality control and supply chain logistics.
Full-Cycle Sourcing, Supplier and Quality Assurance Management-20%
Manage full-cycle overseas sourcing processes, including factory selection, product specifications and costing, sample development and quality assurance systems to optimize supply chain efficiency and costs.
Negotiate contracts, terms and conditions with factories and suppliers to secure favourable pricing, payment terms, and service level agreements.
Approve purchase orders based on minimum order quantities; track raw material sourcing and usage, and finished goods production and shipment to meet customer order and on-time delivery requirements.
Identify and evaluate current and potential factory options based on capabilities, reliability and quality standards; develop and maintain factory matrix with contingency plans based on global market conditions as required.
Foster sustainable relationships with overseas factories and suppliers to ensure best quality, cost, and delivery performance.
Lead factory audits and evaluations to ensure compliance with customer requirements, ethical standards, and industry best practices, including ISO certification and testing requirements at all overseas manufacturing locations.
Monitor and evaluate continually factory and supplier performance to ensure all products meet offshore and domestic quality standards, product safety, regulatory and audit requirements with on-time delivery; investigate product defects and non-compliance with contract terms and initiate appropriate corrective action with factories and suppliers.
Develop, implement and oversee product safety review processes and testing protocols to ensure compliance with international safety standards and regulatory requirements. Work closely with third-party testing labs and internal teams to validate product performance, durability, and compliance before market launch.
Stay updated on emerging industry trends and market conditions, new factories and suppliers, cost-saving opportunities and regulatory changes impacting sourcing strategies.
Position Requirements Experience & Skills:
Diploma or degree in Business Administration, Commerce, International Trade, Engineering or a related field
Professional certification in Supply Management is a plus
8-10+ years of progressive product development, category management and global sourcing/procurement experience in a wholesale, branded product-centric or consumer goods organization, including 3-5 years in a leadership role with domestic and overseas direct reports
Comprehensive knowledge of industry best practices, product development methodologies, supply chain logistics, project management, international business practices, ethical standards and regulatory requirements regarding product quality, safety, and risk management
Ability to think strategically and drive innovation in product development and sourcing
Demonstrated experience leading and developing retailer-specific new product offerings or custom solutions with solid understanding of market trends, customer preferences and competitive landscape in fashion accessories industry
Strong organisational and time management skills with a focus on detail and accuracy
Proficiency with MS Office Suite and product development and sourcing software and tools
Entrepreneurial spirit with strong orientation for action and initiative, and a relentless drive to results
Passion for and experience in fashion, mass retail, or related consumer goods categories with a fashion aesthetic consistent with the brand
Proven leader, mentor, and coach who has led and developed creative talent and teams.
Can point to a track record of developing direct reports and leading and motivating multi-cultural and cross-functional teams, both on site and remotely
Demonstrated ability to build and develop high-performance teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Skilled at identifying and nurturing talent, providing mentorship, and driving professional growth to enhance overall team effectiveness and business success
Highly honed English communication skills and multi-cultural mindset, with the ability to collaborate and influence across all levels and all functions of the organization and supplier network. Proficiency in Mandarin and/or Cantonese is an asset
Demonstrated examples of robust interpersonal, negotiation and relationship-management skills, ultimately producing positive business outcomes
Strong critical thinking, problem solving and analytical skills, with an evidence-based decision-making style and capability to translate complex data into actionable strategies
Able to thrive in a fast-paced environment and inspire others towards growth and achievement
Strong work ethic with high degree of personal honesty and integrity and sound reputation of fair dealing and professional business conduct
Valid Canadian passport with availability to travel domestically and internationally, especially to SE Asia, periodically throughout the year.
Success After 12 Months:
▪ Demonstrated accountability and successful achievement of the cost of goods, vendor performance and margin objectives.
▪ Developed deep knowledge of assortments, merchandising, supply chain capabilities, client base and business operations.
▪ Cultivated confidence and trust among senior leadership, fostering strong and collaborative cross-functional partnerships.
▪ Coached, mentored, and developed Product Development, Sourcing and Quality Assurance teams, resulting in high employee engagement, established trust and collaboration, and achievement of specified performance results based on KPIs.
▪ Built positive relationships with key suppliers, ensuring continuity of mutually beneficial business relationships and sustainable results.
Key Competencies / Attributes:
▪ Driving for Results
▪ Operational & Strategic Planning & Execution
▪ Innovation
▪ Continuous Improvement
▪ Customer Focus
▪ Situational Leadership. Mentorship & Coaching
▪ Global Sourcing
▪ Total Quality Management
▪ Vendor Technical Evaluation & Management
▪ High Stakes Negotiations
▪ Supply Chain Logistics
▪ Influencing and Persuading
▪ Teamwork & Collaboration
▪ Building & Developing High-Performance Teams