Product Development Assistant

In a nutshell 

To provide top class support to the Product Development team, playing an integral role to deliver best-in-class general merchandise for our in-house brands.

What I am accountable for 

Working across Home, Furniture and Seasonal categories as required, support the Product Developers in briefing new designs to factories, following sampling progress to ensure on-time and right-first-time development, & supporting in reviewing completed samples

Unpacking samples/swatches from suppliers for checking and re-packing for sending to UK/suppliers. Handle sample delivery documents and monitoring tracking numbers to ensure no exceptions or delays.

Monitoring the agreed Critical Path to ensure all key dates met

Clear communication with all stakeholders, ensuring they are kept informed of key information through detailed updates to required trackers and tools

Work closely with suppliers to compile new product opportunities, support the Product Developers to collect and edit proposals and share back to UK teams for review

Establish strong relationships with our UK and Asia teams as well as with our suppliers, exhibiting best practise on communication and process, for the team and the brands/business

As needed, support the Product Developers on suppliers visits to review samples in-situ and unlock new product opportunities

Attend local trade fairs for inspiration, new supplier and product opportunities and share back in UK & Global forums independently

General support on projects across Asia and Global teams. i.e. room booking, maintain and tidy sample area and swatch library regularly

What I need to know 

Essential 

Basic knowledge of MS Office

Minimum 1 year experience working in sourcing office or similar environment

Good written and spoken English and Mandarin

Open mind and able to communicate clearly to build strong relationships both with local stakeholders and global teams

Able to work independently but operate within a tight knit unit to achieve our team goals

Interest in design and product

Willing to travel where required

Proactive, detailed-oriented, well organized and problem solver

Desirable 

University degree or above preferred

Design and/or Product Development experience preferred, however candidates with experience in a Sourcing office and exposure to the product development management cycle may also apply

What I need to show 

Our Valued Behaviours are our common DNA that every colleague should live by and provide the benchmark for how we deliver our goals/individual contribution, and how we relate to other colleagues in the organisation.

Own it

Always do what you say you’ll do and suggest solutions for problems as you spot them

Ask questions and contribute honestly in discussions or conversations

Prioritise your work in line with team or project goals

Make it better

Willing to try new approaches in order to improve and simplify

Embrace variety and open to opportunities to transfer your skills to new challenges

Seek information to better understand your role and how teams around you operate

Act on feedback you receive and give accurate and timely feedback to others

Be human

Show care and respect to everyone

Seek opportunities to connect with others and build trusted relationships

Walk in the shoes of your internal and external customers, considering their needs in all you do

Support we will provide 

Working with a passionate and diverse team, we will immerse you in the world of Product Development. You will be exposed to world-class products and brands, working on exciting and market-leading product across a wide variety of General Merchandise categories

You will have the opportunity to learn best-practise not just from within our exceptionally experienced and highly-skilled Product Development team, but from our global stakeholders across a wide-variety of functions.

You will have access to our in-house training and development resources, which along with guidance and support from your manager and team, also allows excellent opportunities for self-development