Job Description

What you'll do

The AVP of Product Development oversees all development & production activities within the Soft Goods Centre of Excellence, leading the PD team and setting the strategic vision to drive best in class product and ensure on-time delivery. This role requires a unique blend of strategic insight, business acumen, technical expertise, and leadership skills to shape the PD direction and deliver exceptional products.


The AVP of Product Development collaborates closely with cross-functional teams--including design, merchandising, offshore, and innovation--to align development solutions that are feasible, responsible, and meet both business and customer needs. By fostering a culture centered on "Customer at our Core" and setting high standards for product development excellence, the AVP of Product Development plays a pivotal role in enhancing the overall customer experience and ensuring the success of the Enterprise's products from concept to market.

Development & Production

In collaboration with Design, work together to fully understand product intent Reviews and oversees issuance of all PLM specs (BOMs/tech packs) for accuracy, completeness, quality, affordability, and compliance prior to release Recommends enhancements, construction and material options to elevate our brands, hitting financial requirements Resolve engineering processes that do not meet design, merchandising, production or financial needs Coordinates with PRO, manufacturing partners and cross-functional teams to manage development within calendar to ensure timeliness in protos, SMS, and confirmation samples Ensure on-time handover of complete tech packs to manufacturing partners on behalf of design Accountable for team communication with PRO/ vendor; assist team with design interpretation, provide council when reviewing market samples and prototypes Oversees the maintenance of all standards issued for brand consistency Ensure approved colors, materials and trims are reflect in production, addressing variances with vendors and Merch team

Sourcing

Develop and monitor a multi-year vendor strategy Works closely with the design teams on seasonal offering needs to provide options for components and techniques, and costs that are on brand Work with PRO on sourcing options for components and techniques while building a tight, strategic vendor base With the team, participates in on-going factory base performance reviews, and recommends improvements to factories, vendor base, and location

Product Integrity

Aims to instill quality in the product from onset of development through final production Reviews all components with an eye for quality, comfort, and performance Ensures that all components and constructions used are compliant for performance and restricted substances prior to production. Works in tandem with quality, technical, and compliance to achieve these ends Work with Innovation/testing team to review questionable materials and treatments in development cycle for performance and compliance to prevent a lapse in production

Calendar

Builds, manages, and flexes pd calendar to ensure timely turnover of development, return of prototypes, and market samples and placement of final production Monitors calendar daily to promote flow of development; apprises and resolves calendar variances with team and management Manage meeting cadence and expectations for cross-functional teams during high-volume periods Work alongside cross-functional teams on replenishment flow

Product Costing

Manage pre-costing and develop strategies to meet/exceed margin requirement while maintaining design aesthetic Demonstrate a strong technical understanding of materials, construction techniques & applications relative to development execution Identity opportunities to leverage cost benefits across businesses and banners

Leadership & People Development

Promote an environment that fosters the respect for the ideas of others and supports ongoing collaboration to execute business strategies Leads by example and operates effectively in the face of continuous pressure imposed by the work environment Monitor development and performance of direct reports through regular meetings to discuss performance and development compared to goals; maintain a dialogue regarding their needs and concerns to aid in future development and increase retention Drive the department forward through process improvement and best practices Develop strong partnerships with cross-function teams to strategize on future state and resolve delivery and material issues affecting production With design, merchandising, and PRO, manage liability issues, replenishment flow, PO discrepancies Participate in weekly Cross Functional Meetings, Detail Meetings, and Milestone Meetings

What you bring

BA/BS degree or equivalent life experience Minimum 10 years in product development, sourcing, and/or production, including a minimum of 4 years in a leadership and team management role Experience with PLM or other Product Management system Strong organizational, interpersonal and negotiation skills Strong math and collaborative skills Able to work in a fluid, fast-paced, multi-channel environment Ability to travel as needed

About Us

At Marks, we want you to experience an extraordinary career in helping to lead our brand's evolution to be Canada's number one destination for industrial and casual apparel and footwear. As one of Canada's leading apparel retailers, and a valued part of the Canadian Tire family of companies, Mark's stands out for its commitment to comfort, quality and style. Mark's is a leader in product development, innovation and quality through its assortment of industrial apparel, footwear and accessories, with strong private and exclusive brands. Join us, where there's a place for you here.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging

We are committed to fostering an environment where belonging thrives, and diversity, inclusion and equity are infused into everything we do. We believe in building an organizational culture where people are consistently treated with dignity while respecting individual religion, nationality, gender, race, age, perceived ability, spoken language, sexual orientation, and identification. We are united in our purpose of being here to help make life in Canada better.

Accommodations

We stand firm in our Core Value that inclusion is a must. We welcome and encourage candidates from equity-seeking groups such as people who identify as racialized, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, women, people with disabilities, and beyond. Should you require any accommodation in applying for this role, or throughout the interview process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to help meet your needs.