As the Director of Product Development at Fastco Canada, I lead a dynamic team in crafting innovative solutions and driving strategic initiatives to meet business objectives. With 13 years of progressive experience in product development and management, I bring expertise in:🔹 Leadership & Team Management:Setting clear expectations and fostering open communication channels to ensure team alignment.Coaching and providing constructive feedback to enhance performance and foster growth.Conducting annual performance evaluations and overseeing employee development initiatives.Managing staffing, including recruitment and approvals for holidays and absences.🔹 Strategic Planning & Budget Management:Defining and managing departmental budgets to optimize resource allocation and support project objectives.Collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop and execute product roadmaps aligned with business goals.Incorporating feedback from stakeholders and market insights to prioritize development efforts effectively.🔹 Collaboration & Relationship Building:Partnering with marketing and sales departments to align product strategies with market needs and drive revenue growth.Orchestrating market studies and analyses to identify new opportunities and recommend strategic directions.Cultivating strong relationships with suppliers to negotiate pricing, ensure quality, and drive innovation.With a focus on innovation, strategic planning, and collaborative leadership, I am dedicated to driving product excellence and delivering impactful results in the dynamic landscape of product development.Let's connect and explore opportunities to collaborate!

*Execute the Product Development process by managing internal and external resources throughout the phases of market research, development, launch, and post-launch feedback.*Visit customers/trade shows/industry functions to determine future product needs and collect feedback on current product offering. – pending Covid regulations*Review and track monthly performance of product lines to supply insight/feedback to Sales, Marketing, and Purchasing to identify areas for improvement or action.*Plan, develop and deliver products which meet specified performance and cost criteria within established timelines.*Manage the entire Product Life Cycle (PLC) including End of Life (EOL) strategies in collaboration with the inventory analyst and demand analyst.*Lead project review discussions in the Ideation meetings for given product lines.*Serve as primary liaison with overseas manufacturers for new Product Development projects from product specification, fitment, artwork, and sample approval.*Work cross functionally with Engineering, Sales, Purchasing, and Marketing to achieve company objectives.*Provide guidance and counsel to the Product Managers on the NPI Process*Monitor and track the evolution of project timelines from each Product Manager*Ensure month end line reviews as well as seasonal reviews are done by each Product Manager and review with Inventory Analyst*Work collaboratively with the Marketing team to ensure PD data is provided to Marketing the first week of the month for specials.*Work with PMs and Marketing on Product launch strategies and timelines.*Collaborate with Engineering and the Asia division to ensure new projects are on time and withing budget and scope.*Develop, monitor, and help track department KPI*Identify opportunities for Continuous Improvement in department processes*Develop reporting tools in collaboration with IT and Tech Services

*Executes the product development strategy by collaborating with internal and external resources from consumer insights through to launch and post-launch product improvements.*Plans and deliver new product initiatives which meet specified performance and cost criteria within established timelines in order to reach growth objectives.*Establish and maintain ongoing relationships with manufacturing partners and key stakeholders. Serve as primary liaison with overseas vendors for Product Development from artwork to product specification, sculpting and sample approval.*Negotiate pricing and timelines with vendors for new projects*Lead cross functional product concept meetings for assigned portfolio and prepare business case for new initiatives.*Determines product pricing by utilizing market research data; reviewing production and sales costs; anticipating volume.*Ensure the accuracy of product and packaging samples and obtain required approvals.*Ensures deadlines are met to obtain samples for trade shows*Introduces and markets new products by developing time-integrated plans with sales, advertising, and production.*Responsible for complete product life cycle management including end of life strategies for discontinued and close out items.*Review product line monthly to identify opportunities to grow sales on current lines and identify gaps for future product development initiatives.*Collaborate with Sales and Marketing on ways to grow sales of existing products and slower moving items.*Conduct studies, analyzes and recommends potential for development: new customer segments, new products, new partners.*Attend trade shows & industry functions to learn of new developments and seek new product development opportunities.*Visit customers to determine product needs and collect feedback on new development concepts (interest level, forecast, pricing, competition, Etc.)* Research new suppliers as required.

*Talk to customers and company sales force on a regular basis to determine what items/products our clients are requesting and the ideal price point.*Talk to customers on a regular basis to determine competitive pricing.*Review industry literature & websites as well as attend trade and car shows to determine where the current market is and where it's going.*Review competitors literature and websites on a regular basis to provide competitive pricing recommendations.*Maintain a database of all competitor literature and pricing.*Maintain a database of all potential supplier literature and pricing.*Maintain a database of all company literature and price-lists.*Review sales transaction reports to determine sales items and profits margins.*Advise purchasing department of changes to item sales forecasts as required.*Review inventory reports monthly to determine sell-through and put non-performing items on sale.*Advise product development department of new market demands and trends.*Work with product development department to develop new items and their strategies.*Conduct surveys to determine the level of interest of all new products.*Co-ordinate with advertising department to ensure new product advertising is timed correctly.*Assist the director of marketing in advising the purchasing department of all new product sales forecasts.*Look for opportunities in the market place where additional revenue can be generated.

Build data and proofing for both OEM and Aftermarket catalogques/pricelists/flyersBuild data and proofing for both OEM and aftermarket spring and winter booking programsHelp organize and attend all cars shows and media eventsMaintain website blogsRespond to questions from end users on all websitesCo-ordinate vehicle photography for catalogsWork with 3rd party to execute social media strategiesExecute vehicle sponsorship agreementsCo-ordinate wheel and tire samples for catalogsBuild all display programsBuild all booking programs and proofingCo-ordinate and prepare mailing for summer and winter catalogsVarious other marketing duties as required

*Receive and process customer orders.*Provide our customers with technical information’s and prices.*Work closely with the internal sales manager to communicate future market trends, models and applications.*Assist the marketing team with promotional information (what to promote, organize, etc…).*Assist clients with advertisements (posters, inventory, etc…).*Assist the external sales team with inventory and technical information’s.*Promote Fastco’s products and services by using marketing tools (by telephone, email, etc…) and keep track of them.*Provide excellent customer service and an after-sales service of quality in English and in French.*Manage and monitor customer complaints.*Validate customer satisfaction.*Participate in various events.*Generate customer statistics.*Produce various client-related reports.