G/FORE Director Product Development, Footwear and Accessories

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing!

We're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business.

ABOUT G/FORE:

Born in Los Angeles but bred with a global perspective, G/FORE was conceptualized with a passion for modern design combined with a love of golf. Distinguished by our attention to detail, sophisticated ease, playful nature, youthful energy, and sense of humor. We consistently strive to make a powerful and colorful impact on our favorite game. We take inspiration from art, architecture, modern design, and colorful narratives. Our intent is to disrupt the industry without being disrespectful to the sport and its rich traditions.

This role is pivotal in building forward thinking Men’s and Women’s Shoe and Accessory collections. From design inception to TOP approvals, you will follow the product life cycle to help develop bi-yearly and capsule collections along with looking to innovate constantly to push the limits of the direction of the brand. You will support seasonal product needs, assist the design team in collaboration with a cross-functional teams including production, in-house design, and design consultants.

The role is responsible for the day-to-day management of the product development team and design team.  The role is responsible for the management of timeliness and organization of the development process, tracking all styles of footwear and accessories through to production to ensure accuracy of design details and on-time delivery of prototypes/samples whilst inspiring and building a team of future thinkers.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• The Director, Product Development is a key role focused on driving success in G/Fore’s product lines.
• This position entails leading cross-functional teams, overseeing sampling processes, managing communication with suppliers, and ensuring the seamless execution of footwear and accessories development.
• The Role serves as the point of contact for all development and pre-production matters, playing a crucial role in sales activities.

• Primary liaison between design team (Los Angeles) and production team (Durham)
• Lead Product Development team and design team and implement strategic plans.
• Lead Product Development calendar for footwear and accessories and be key partner with Production team to ensure company dates are met.
• Work with strategic partners to align on sourcing strategies to ensure correct vendor bases are set for the business.
• Partner with production to build pricing and margin strategies with vendors for the G/Fore business.
• Manage and maintain a comprehensive calendar, both internal and external, ensuring effective coordination and timely execution for apparel product development
• Handle and communicate all internal and external revisions related to styles.
• Communicate costing and estimated lead time for footwear and accessories products.
• Create seasonal and limited-edition work-in-progress reports, track daily changes, and keep records updated.
• Manage daily communication and timelines with factories for all development of footwear and accessories.
• Responsible for creation and maintenance of all Style Setups for footwear and accessories.
• Ensure Style Setup updates and changes from design team and factory are implemented and delivered to production for import into Bluecherry.
• Interface with component vendors for all new developments, manage relationships with vendors to ensure new developments are applicable to samples and production.
• Responsible for all salesman samples and photo sample requests used in sample POs by Production Manager 
• Record all changes after salesman samples arrival and coordinate updates with Marketing and Photo Team
• Provide support to the line book development process.

COMPETENCIES:

• Ability to lead a team - Exceptional organizational and communication skills
• Extensive knowledge of Illustrator, Excel and Photoshop
• Enthusiastic and dependable attitude
• Ability to adapt to fast-paced, ever-changing environment.
• Outstanding time management skills, with the ability to balance multiple deadlines and priorities.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with employees, vendors and clients.

DESIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field
• Ten plus years’ experience in product development or similar function or role in relatable field.
• Knowledgeable about product, material, components and process of building product.
• Expertise about critical path, costing, manufacturing, and calendar management
• A strong negotiator with the ability to find pragmatic solutions
• A very well-organized professional with excellent planning skills with high prioritization ability working on multiple projects at the same time
• Able to work under pressure maintaining attention to detail and accurate work in a fast paced and changing environment
• A strong written and verbal ability to establish trustworthy and durable relationships with suppliers and colleagues
• Ability to work in a fast-pace and deadline-oriented environment
• Self-motivated with critical attention to deadlines and reporting
• Willingness to travel to visit domestic and overseas suppliers as required

INTANGIBLES:

• Collaborative, out of the box thinker
• Strong communication, collaboration, problem solving and follow up skills
• Excels in a fast paced, ever-changing environment with the ability to handle multiple projects
• Effective time management and ability to stay organized
• Keen attention to detail with excellent verbal and written communication skills

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!