Director Of Product Development And Design
Current• Evaluate and recommend changes to the current internal Product Development process at Merrithew with an operational focus. Coordinate efforts with strategic sourcing to strategically plan for retail products through design, quality, packaging, component coordination, marketing, manufacturing, and ultimate delivery to the customer.• Oversee, evaluate and make recommendations for new retail products and product lines in collaboration with the Marketing, Design, Strategic Sourcing and Procurement teams.• Ongoing evaluation of current retail product lines to recommend opportunities for new packaging and re-packaging and/ or bundling, and planning for products that are nearing the end of their life cycle.• Research and recommend new retail product ideas within specific categories of focus.• Work, in conjunction with the Education department to ensure viability and safety of new products including thorough testing before launch.• Identify the design character of MH&F products through design, colors, themes, and packaging in collaboration with the Marketing and Design teams.• Approve new packaging themes and designs and merchandising concepts (displays, etc.) with Marketing and Design teams.• Oversee an annual product launch schedule tied to specific sales targets• Coordinate with Strategic Sourcing and internal Manufacturing Departments to ensure design is supported and quality standard requirements are met.• Coordinate with Strategic Sourcing team and Suppliers to ensure packaging and design exceeds quality expectations and meets all MH&F’s standards.• In conjunction with Marketing & Communications, recommend and approve logo placement and branding on all new products including printing methods (embossing, silk screening, etc.)• In conjunction with Marketing, Design, Sales and Strategic Sourcing departments, approve retail product final production samples. • Design involvement on the commercial product lines.