At Burberry, we believe creativity opens spaces. Our purpose is to unlock the power of imagination to push boundaries and open new possibilities for our people, our customers and our communities. This is the core belief that has guided Burberry since it was founded in 1856 and is central to how we operate as a company today.
We aim to provide an environment for creative minds from different backgrounds to thrive, bringing a wide range of skills and experiences to everything we do. As a purposeful, values-driven brand, we are committed to being a force for good in the world as well, creating the next generation of sustainable luxury for customers, driving industry change and championing our communities.
JOB PURPOSE
Reporting to the PD Manager, the Product Development Assistant is responsible for supporting the product development process for the category by working closely with the designers to develop each category from initial concept through to finished product. The PD Assistant will understand the effects and root causes of decision-making by designers and evaluate the organizational impact on the product development team. This person will connect with the Prototyping & Modelling Manager to observe the operational activities, the capabilities and timeline of the technical work.
She/he will interact with the PD Supply Chain Department in London and designers on the development of leather goods and brand value.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist the Product Development Manager to work with design to support the process of material sourcing/development and prototyping for the category of products.
- Assist in ordering raw materials for prototypes and samples and in implementing the seasonal development critical paths.
- Support the Product Development Manager by communicating with relevant suppliers and assist with the daily follow up of prototyping and raw materials developments.
- Assist in the creation of prototypes and samples and manage the process in collaboration with Supply Chain, Merchandising and Vendors.
- Assist the Product Development Manager in the overall management of sampling technical packs, ensuring that the relevant pages and fields are loaded into PLM (or any other alternative format).
- Assist with general administration duties in the Product Development Department.
- Support and direct interaction with design department.
- Fill in technical sheets for Modelling and creating cost sheets.
- Work with designer and PD team to select and propose new workmanship.
- Manage all process of workmanship and liaise the supplier issues.
- Reach out with Technical Manager for understanding our technical and timing needs linking with supplier requests.
- Report to the PD Manager all the communication with designers, technical and engineering teams during the development process of workmanship.
- Support the Industrialization team for technical production issues about the workmanship.
- Support in signing off the workmanship master to start the production process.
PERSONAL PROFILE
- Bachelor's degree or Master's degree is preferred (es: Polimoda International School)
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint etc) is considered a plus
- Proven Product Development experience within the Luxury/Fashion industry
- Experience with PLM/CIMS programmes would be an advantage
- Passionate about product design and development
- Highly results driven, good commercial sense
- Ability to analyse and provide data
- Ability to multi-task
- Fluent in English.
