Head of Product

ROLE PROFILE 
The WHY 

The Head of Product will lead the end-to-end product lifecycle for Merabi. Ensuring the delivery of exceptional products that align with the brand’s vision, quality standards, and are brought to market as per our critical path. Ensuring garments are developed and aligned to our North Star Strategy.
The role leads a team of technical experts and ensure their collaboration with cross functional teams. This role is in essence the conductor of the Product Orchestra – ensuring all aspects of the design and development process are co-ordinated, are considered and are delivered.

ROLE ACCOUNTABILITY 
The WHAT 

Responsible and Accountable for:

Design and Development Collaboration:

• Managing our PD and Production team, overseeing all aspects of operations.
• Proactively addressing PD and Production issues and supporting the team to resolve them.
• Partner with the design team to ensure that product concepts align with the brand's aesthetic and commercial goals.
• Oversee the product development process, ensuring that design ideas are executed efficiently and translated into commercially viable products.
• Collaborate with technical teams to maintain quality standards and resolve any design or production challenges.
• Facilitate & Support Creative Director & product Director to contribute & lead on our sourcing and supplier strategy.
• Working closely with the Product Director and Creative Director to align vision, creative direction, workstreams (including critical path planning).

Supply Chain and Production Oversight:

• Managing relationships suppliers, factories, sourcing and production teams to ensure timely delivery, cost efficiency, high-quality production and adherence to the brand's ethical and sustainability standards.
• Building strong relationships with suppliers globally.
• Address supply chain challenges proactively to minimize disruptions and ensure smooth product launches.
• Understanding supplier capabilities, material, and production challenges, and supporting in finding solutions.
• Leading factory visits to push through development/initial samples and fabrications for new seasons ahead.
• Understanding supplier capabilities, material, and production challenges, and supporting in finding solutions.
  
  Leadership and Team Management:
  
  • Inspiring, motivating, and leading the Design, Garment Tech, Pattern and Seamstress, Fabric Teams.
  • Lead and mentor the product team, fostering a collaborative, innovative, and high-performing culture.
  • Build cross-functional relationships with design, marketing, and sales teams to ensure alignment and shared success.
  • Represent the product function in executive meetings, providing updates and insights to senior leadership.
  • Ensuring all product documentation and approvals stages are defined and adhered to as per the Company fit and finish policy.
    
  Commercial and Financial Accountability:
  
• Manage product-related budgets, including costs for development, materials, and production, ensuring profitability targets are met, and costs are managed effectively throughout the product lifecycle. 
  
  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE 
The HOW 

Essential Skills & Experience

• Experience: Significant experience in a similar role, with experience of managing small teams.
• Experienced in PD and Production, ideally within the luxury premium sector.
• Change management: Able to adapt well to change, and are experienced working in a fast-
• paced, rapidly changing environment.
• Communication: Strong communication, negotiation & influencing skills. Highly motivated, and driven for success
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and execute long-term product strategies that align with business goals. Ability to develop and execute long-term product strategies that align with business goals.
• Commercial Acumen: Deep understanding of financial metrics, pricing, and profitability in the fashion industry.
• Leadership: Strong team management and motivational skills, with a collaborative approach to leadership.
• Technical Knowledge: Familiarity with fashion production processes across Garment Tech, Seamstress, Pattern, Development & Design.
• Project Management: Strong organisational skills to manage timelines, budgets, and multiple projects simultaneously.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Passion for premium fashion and an eye for design and quality.