Junior Product Developer - Specialist Sports Creation
Specialist Sports Ltd is a well-established and expanding sporting goods agency offering Sales, Marketing, Distribution, and Creative solutions to performance sports brands including the world-leading brand adidas. Specialist Sports is based on the western edge of Southampton.
Specialist Sports hold the adidas license to control 12 product categories in the UK & Ireland as well as several other territories around the world. The category portfolio includes Hockey, Cricket, Tennis, Track & Field, Rugby, Olympic Sports, and Teamwear featuring a range of products used by many of the world’s best athletes and grassroots enthusiasts. Specialist Sports are custodians of the adidas brand in these categories and hold Sports Marketing contracts with relevant Governing Bodies, leading clubs, and athletes. Furthermore, Specialist Sports hold the global creation license to manufacture apparel, accessories, and hard goods across a number of categories to support the overarching commercial strategy.
SPECIALIST SPORTS CREATION
Created in 2023 as a new company within the Specialist Sports group, SSC is the global license holder for the manufacturer of adidas performance products covering apparel, accessories, and hard goods. Specialist Sports are committed to building a high-performance, best-in-class team to drive the creation process of market-leading products underpinning a key growth lever for the company.
THE ROLE
Specialist Sports are looking to recruit a Product Developer to establish and drive the critical path for all product development within this newly established business function. The successful candidate will have exceptional and intricate knowledge of the creation process across apparel, accessories, and hard goods. Strong commercial acumen is a prerequisite while driving solutions to meet global product demands and ensure company metrics across operations, financial, and brand are met. They will work alongside the existing and experienced sales, category, and marketing teams to achieve and exceed these metrics.
The successful candidate will lead the development process of Specialist Sports Creation business and be responsible for the following key deliverables:
1. Support the development of seasonal and long life-cycle products across adidas performance categories demonstrating experience across apparel, accessories, and hard goods
2. Lead and contribute to the creation of licensed ranges for professional sports clubs utilizing a mix of sourcing pathways combining totally new, SMU, and existing product ranges
3. Assist all areas of product development to achieve quality and delivery in line with business and brand expectations
4. Ensure all products adhere to packaging and labeling standards
5. Be responsible for the creation of product briefing documents and tech packs to ensure efficient and accurate sampling
6. Able to follow a critical path for development and hold operational meetings with key stakeholders as required throughout the process. Ensure deadlines are achieved
7. Support the product team during all product handover and development meetings
8. Check product details are correctly managed in systems and support the commercial team with timely and accurate handover of relevant information
9. Ensure clear and effective communications with factories and work hard to build strong relationships with key stakeholders
10. Manage product costings to attain commercial targets
11. Hold sample review and fit sessions to ensure products adhere to guidelines and meet the brief. Manage the feedback processes and work on required amends.
12. Work cross-functionally with internal and external partners to ensure shared business objectives are exceeded
Candidates should hold relevant industry experience and qualifications, have an enthusiastic professional approach, and a personal affinity with sports is desirable. The successful candidate should be self-driven who is excited at the prospect of playing a pivotal role in this exciting phase for the company. The role will ideally be primarily office-based at Nursling Industrial Estate, Southampton but national/international travel should be expected. Working hours may be varied depending on the requirements of the role. Remote working for the optimum candidate will be considered.
The successful candidate will receive a remuneration package including a competitive salary, contributory pension, bonus structure, and 30 days annual leave including bank holidays.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing, dynamic, and ambitious team.
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