Product Development Administrator

Aspinal of London are looking for a Product Development Administrator at our Head Office in Leafy Sussex. The main function of the role is to support the Product Development & Design Manager in the development function from initial concept to seasonal sign off and SMS stage.

This position works closely with key stakeholders such as Design, Supply Base, Production and Merchandise.

Principle Accountabilities

Accountable for:

• Support the Product Development Manager in delivering the design brief and brand essence of the collection, ensuring all commercial elements are met within the range plan
• Support the Product Developer in keeping all development & raw material tools up to date
• Shared responsibility with the Product Development & Design Team of the delivery of prototypes & SMS at all key stages ensuring they meet Range plan criteria and design brief
• Manage the prototype library alongside the Product Development & Design Team, ensuring all protos are correctly labelled & stored in an organised manner

Product

• Joint responsibility with the PDD Team to ensure all prototypes and samples arrive in line with the critical path deadlines and are correct as per the fabrication detail
• Assist the PDD Manager in sending samples to factories for resourcing projects and cross costing exercises
• Ensure all sample raw material requirements are logged and sent out to factories within the agreed timeframe
• Actively communicate with the Sample Coordinator regarding the arrival of new samples and ensure these are added to NAV in a timely manner
• Joint responsibility with the PDD Team in sample management of all prototypes & SMS' ensuring all are clearly labelled and the sample room is organised
• Ensure all samples taken from the sample room are returned and logged back in
• Organise and tidy the showroom, ensuring all swatches, colour cards & samples are returned to the relevant area
• Support the Product Developer in distributing wearer trials for new products and/or raw materials at the start of each season

Raw Materials

• Prepare and send out lab dips to all relevant tanneries at the start of each season
• Assist in the hardware resource project by sending out components or standards to the relevant supplier
• Ensure all factories have clear edge paint masters to follow and submit approvals in a timely manner
• Chase in all outstanding developments, ensuring these arrive within the required timeframe
• Support the Product Developer in managing all raw material masters, ensuring they are kept in a neat & tidy manner
• Create raw material sampling PO's and ensure these are added to the development log
• Ensure all raw material trackers & master sheets are continuously kept up to date
• Work closely with the Raw Materials Coordinator to ensure all raw material codes and sampling PO's/invoices have been set up on NAV
• Constant awareness to new sustainable materials on the market and how this can be incorporated into Aspinal's sustainable vision

Competencies

• Proficiency in using Microsoft Word, Excel & PowerPoint
• Experience using Adobe Illustrator
• Highly organised and excellent attention to detail
• Ability to prioritise, manage own time and work well under pressure to meet critical deadlines
• Self-motivated and proactive
• Excellent communications skills and a can-do attitude
• Confidentiality

Other:

• To perform other related duties as assigned or requested
• Develop yourself and maintain knowledge in your relevant field at all times